A MEMORIAL service took place to mark the 65th anniversary of the death of five aircrew.

Personnel from RAF Brize Norton gathered at a farm in Black Bourton, close to the crash site, to pay their respects.

The crew were Flt Sgt Alan Busbridge, Flt Sgt Bernard Mowan, Flt Sgt William Insley and Sgt Kenneth Shay, who were all from No 297 squadron. Also on board was Sgt Edgar Bonser, from No 296 squadron.

All five died when their aircraft crashed in a field close to RAF Brize Norton, on their way back from a mission in France in August 1944.

A permanent cairn was erected in their memory in October 2007 by farm owner Monica Tudor.

Those who attended on Thursday, August 27, included Lawrence Edden, the nephew of Flt Sgt Insley, and Robert Griffith, who had flown a similar mission that evening but, due to bad weather, had to turn back.

Mr Griffith had only recently made contact with Mrs Tudor while surfing the Internet.

Mr Edden laid a wreath on behalf of his family and Mr Griffith laid a posy of fresh heather, brought from his brother’s farm in North Wales.

Prayers were led by station chaplain, Sqn Ldr Steve Lamond.