Syleham commemorates fallen RAF crew 80 years on from village crash

Sgt Percy Lawn (left) operated the plane's rear gun, while flying officer Sydney Huntley worked as a bomb aimer

Eight Royal Air Force (RAF) servicemen are to be remembered in the village where they died following an air crash 80 years ago.

All crew members aboard the Avro Lancaster LM464 died when their aircraft crashed into a field in Syleham, Suffolk, on 18 March 1944.

Local residents raised money for a plaque which will be unveiled later.

Organiser Melanie Murray said: "We wanted to raise awareness that these young men lost their lives."

Lesley Botten (right) is the great niece of Sgt Harry Bryan, who died aged 23

The crew died as they returned from a successful mission over Frankfurt, Germany.

Upon reaching the coast at Orford Ness, the plane's engines failed and the aircraft came down behind Fir Tree Farm.

In preparation for the unveiling, Ms Murray attempted to track down the crew's relatives.

"None of them were married, so none have children of their own, so there's no direct relatives," she said of the men, who were aged between 20 and 33.

"We're looking for their brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, and cousins, which is very difficult because obviously people have moved away."

The plaque will be fixed to Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall

One serviceman came from Canada, while the others had roots across England, including Norfolk, Sheffield, Essex and Middlesbrough.

Organisers were able to track down Lesley Botten, the great niece of Sgt Harry Bryan, who was the special wireless operator aboard the bomber.

"It's obviously important to me and other members of the families to have their individuals remembered," said Ms Botten.

"But I also think it's a bit deeper than that. It's about people connecting with their past and wanting to show that there is still a connection."

Along with relatives of the fallen, members of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Air Force Association will attend the event.