A CANADIAN pilot who paid the ultimate sacrifice to save countless lives in a North-East town was remembered in a poignant ceremony on Friday night.

Around 50 people turned out on a freezing night in Darlington to pay their respects to William McMullen, who was killed when his Lancaster bomber crashed in the town during a training flight at 8.49pm on January 13, 1945.

The Northern Echo:

Pilot Office McMullen, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, died a hero after staying with the aircraft to enable his crew to parachute to safety and to steer it away from houses.

The road which passes the crash site was named McMullen Road and a memorial stone and plaque have been erected.

Every year at 8.49pm, a ceremony is held at the corner of McMullen Road and Allington Way to remember the airman and last night saw one of the strongest attendances.

Those paying their respects included the Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington, Brian and Doris Jones, along with Ken Coates, chairman of the Darlington branch of the Royal British Legion. Both laid wreaths after a minute’s silence was held.

Lesley Tudor travelled from her home in Harrogate to be at the ceremony, 72 years after her father, Maxie Abel, a local builder and boxer, pulled McMullen’s body from the wreckage. Mrs Tudor, regularly visits the airman’s grave, which is in the Commonwealth War Graves section of the cemetery in Harrogate.

Darlington resident Howard Wilson, who organises the ceremony each year, said: “After 72 years you might expect the interest in William McMullen to diminish but tonight’s turnout shows it is getting stronger. It is wonderful to see so many people attend – it shows that Darlington hasn’t forgotten.”

The Mayor added: “I am delighted to see so many people here and long may William McMullen be remembered in Darlington.”

Geoff Hill, chairman of the Middleton St George Memorial Association, said: “It is amazing that there is still such a strength of feeling so many years after William McMullen’s death. Hopefully, it will continue for generations to come.”

Although the people of Darlington have always remembered McMullen, he has never officially been honoured by his home country.

For an update on a campaign to put that right, see Peter Barron's column in Monday's Northern Echo.