WARTIME members of a North Yorkshire RAF squadron have joined forces with serving members to mark two occasions.

In the Second World War, 76 Squadron, which was formed in Ripon, North Yorkshire, was based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York.

It was disbanded after the war, and on Friday marked the first anniversary of its reformation.

The Linton reunion was especially poignant to four men, who won the RAF's highest accolade, The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 63 years ago.

Until now, they had never seen the official citations which should have accompanied the medals, which went missing at the end of war.

Bert Kirtland, from East Yorkshire, and his colleagues Wally MacFarlane, from Hampshire, Vernon Thomson, from Derbyshire and Jim Inward, from Lincolnshire, rejoined their old squadron last week, where station commander Group Captain Mark Hopkins presented the lost citations to them - exactly 63 years late.

Mr Kirtland flew 35 missions as a wireless operator with 76 Squadron between 1943 and 1944, including raids on Berlin and Nurnberg. His crew also helped support the D-Day landings.

His newly-found citation describes him as a fine operational pilot. It reads: "His exceptional fearlessness in the face of danger and his high degree of courage, skill and initiative have proved him to be an outstanding member of a very gallant crew."

Mr Kirtland said: "This is something I never thought would happen. To reach these years and finally receive my citation is almost a surreal experience."

When Mr MacFarlane was awarded the DFC, there were no formalities - instead the medal was handed to him during a party in an officers' mess.

For some time, his son, James, had been trying to track down the missing paperwork - fascinated by the story his father had told him.

Finally, and after assistance from the RAF, James found the original document at the Public Records Office, in London.