Researchers are appealing for help in tracing the relatives of a North-East airman killed on home soil during the Second World War. Mark Tallentire reports.

SERGEANT Thomas Raine Newton was only four miles from the end of a seven-hour training flight when his Lancaster bomber crashed into the Nottinghamshire countryside, killing him and six comrades, shortly before 11pm, on February 18, 1943.

Sgt Newton and the W4270 crew had been on a cross-country exercise and were due to land at RAF Syerston when their bomber developed engine problems, burst into flames and crashlanded, killing all on board.

A witness to Sgt Newton’s last moments was Sid Baggaley, who farmed nearby.

Fifty-six years later Mr Baggaley, by then retired, invited his friend, Di Ablewhite, to view a poignant souvenir – a piece of the plane wreckage.

For Mrs Ablewhite, that introduction triggered a painstaking research project to find out exactly what happened that night and to trace the relatives of those killed.

Eleven years on, she has found the families of all but one – Sgt Newton, who was from Durham – and she is now appealing for anyone with information about him to come forward.

“We’ve almost given up hope on him several times,” she said. “But we’ve got so close now, finding that last piece would be fantastic.”

Mrs Ablewhite’s work has led to a memorial being erected to the crew in St Mary’s churchyard, Staunton-inthe- Vale, Nottinghamshire.

Sgt Newton’s parents were Mr and Mrs Bert Newton, of Laurel Avenue, Sherburn Road, Durham, but he lived with his aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Aberdeen, in Broom Lane, Ushaw Moor, near Durham City.

After attending Ushaw Moor Council School and being a member of the Ushaw Moor Church Lads’ Brigade, the young Thomas Newton worked as a painter and at Bearpark cokeworks.

A keen sportsman, he won medals for his football achievements.

He had served in the RAF for twoand- a-half years and, shortly before his death, spent his 21st birthday taking part in two air raids on Berlin.

His funeral was held at St Luke’s Church, Ushaw Moor, and he was buried at the village cemetery.

Mrs Ablewhite said: “We would love to trace Sgt Newton’s family. And we might be sitting on information they would love to know about him.

“There wasn’t much information put out about his death at the time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Mrs Ablewhite on 01400-282130 or email di.ablewhite@btinternet.com