PEOPLE are being invited to join a silent vigil for a heroic Second World War airman, whose actions may have saved the lives of hundreds of people.

At 8.49pm on January 13, 1945, as his burning plane rapidly lost altitude, Pilot Officer William McMullen opted to stay with his stricken craft and steer it clear of Darlington.

The Northern Echo: Pilot Officer William McMullenPilot Officer William McMullen

He had ordered his crew to bale out, while he stayed at the controls making sure the plane came down in fields on the edge of town, close to what is now McMullen Road.

Every year, retired teacher Howard Wilson marks the anniversary of Pilot Officer McMullen’s death by standing at the spot where the plane came down, in quiet contemplation.

He is inviting anyone who would like to join him to gather tomorrow evening and pay their respects.

Mr Wilson said: “We don’t do anything special, just stand there silently and think of his sacrifice.

“I just thought there should be something to acknowledge what he did.”

The Northern Echo: The Northern Despatch in January 1945, reports how Pilot Officer McMullen steered his plane clear of homesThe Northern Despatch in January 1945, reports how Pilot Officer McMullen steered his plane clear of homes

Pilot Officer McMullen was flying a Lancaster bomber back to RAF Goosepool, now Durham Tees Valley Airport, when an oil feed pipe ruptured and one of the engines caught fire.

Rather than risk the plane coming down on a populated area of Darlington, he stayed on board and the plane crashed in a field belonging to Lingfield Farm, which is now on the corner of Allington Way and Lingfield Way.

Through his work to keep Pilot Officer McMullen’s memory alive, Mr Wilson has kept in contact with the airman’s daughter, Donna Mae, who lives in Toronto, Canada.

Because the pilot was taking part in a training exercise and not in combat, he was never given any official recognition – a situation, Mr Wilson believes, needs remedying.

He said: “A plane that size full of fuel, if it had landed in Darlington it could have taken out a street.

“He made a choice that day, which we should all be thankful for. I just think it needs to be kept alive.”

Anyone who would like to join Mr Wilson can meet him at the junction of Allington Way and Lingfield Way, on Friday, at 8.30pm.