Ronald Morley: How Leicester airman escaped WW2 capture

Ronald Morley parachuted out of a Lancaster bomber when it was shot down over occupied territory in Belgium

The story of how a World War Two airman escaped capture after his Lancaster bomber crashed has been published by his son.

Ronald Morley, from Leicester, was a wireless operator on the aircraft when it was shot down over occupied territory in Belgium in 1943.

His family said he rarely spoke about how he evaded capture, but told his son Keith the story before his death.

Keith said writing the book had been a long and emotional experience.

When the plane was shot down 80 years ago, some of the crew died but Ronald parachuted out and survived.

He sheltered in a barn overnight and was taken in by the Belgian resistance which engineered his escape.

Ronald (forth from the right) was a wireless operator on a Lancaster bomber

He travelled through Belgium, France and walked over the Pyrenees to Spain before getting a boat home from Gibraltar on a route known as the Comet Line.

Keith has spent 23 years researching missing parts of his father's story, which included visits to various national archives, online portals and trips to Belgium to meet members of the resistance.

Keith said writing the book about his father's journey had been emotional

His book about his father's escape, called Don't Look Back, has now been published.

Keith said: "The reason it's called Don't Look Back is because when they were in the escape lines and they followed their guide they never walked with their guide.

"Walk as though you know where you're going, don't rattle change in your pocket, all things that would have been noticed - they were very good at spotting details the Germans.

"And whatever you do, if you think you're being followed, don't look back."

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