A MEMORIAL is being set up to commemorate the lives of the crew killed in a RAF aircraft crash that happened in Cornwall in 1942.

Raymond Batkin is planning a memorial to mark the 75th year since the crash and is searching for the long lost relatives of those who died, including Sergeant Derek John Newcombe from Okehampton.

Raymond said: ‘I have been researching a RAF aircraft crash at Kellan Head, Cornwall that happened on July 12 1942.

‘The aircraft was a 1404 Met Flight Hudson that was returning from an operational flight to it’s base at RAF St Eval. All four crew were killed.

‘The observer was sergeant Derek John Newcombe, who came from Okehampton. His parents were Raymond John and Bertha May Newcombe. Sergeant Newcombe is buried at All Saints, Okehampton.

‘On the 75th year anniversary efforts are underway to commemorate the four men with a simple memorial close to the site of the crash. I am now trying to put together a commemorative document of the four men who died.

‘The pilot was from Plymouth and the two Wireless/Air Gunners were from Australia and sergeant Derek John Newcombe was from Okehampton.’

Raymond requested that any surviving members of Sergeant Newcombe’s family get in contact with him.

If you are a relation, or have have any information about the Newcombe family, email [email protected]