A FRENCHMAN, who has kept alive the memory of an Allied aircrew, who perished over northern France in the last war, has asked Bygones' readers for help.

For one of the airmen from 576 Squadron, onboard Lancaster PB253 when it was shot down by a night fighter in 1944, was from Blackburn.

He was 22-year-old Flight Sergeant Leslie Fielding, who served with the RAF Volunteer Reserve and was wireless operator on that fateful summer's night.

He and five other crewmen, including one Canadian, were killed and are buried at a communal cemetery in Chaumousey.

Only the pilot, Flying Officer Jimmy Archibald of the Royal New Zealand Air Force survived, after being thrown clear of the bomber in the blast. He was injured and taken prisoner.

Ben Howson, who lives close by has, over the past few years, had several plaques made in their honour, supplied flags for, and placed flowers, on their graves.

He was also present at a recent ceremony when memorial bench plaques, including one to Flt Sgt Fielding were inaugurated near a local lake.

He told Bygones this week: "I have photographs of some of the crew who died and many documents and am in touch with three families, but I would like the memorial to have pictures of them all.

"I wonder if any of his relatives are still in Blackburn and can help me ensure his sacrifice is never forgotten.

"I have recently been able to send small fragments of the Lancaster to the families I'm in touch with; I could do the same for his descendants, too."

Leslie Fielding, Service number 1035033, was one of four sons of John and Lily Fielding, nee King, who was born in Blackburn in September, 1921. He had two older brothers, Harry and John and a younger brother Kenneth.

Census records show that in 1916, the family had lived at the Hamilton Arms in Hollin Street and his father worked in the mill as a drawer-in.

Leslie's crew, had already flown 15 missions and were on their way to a raid on Stuttgart when the Lancaster came down.

Said Ben: "I just happen to live close to where this Lancaster was shot down and after I started doing research, the more I found out, the more interested I became.

"I have a lot of admiration for the men who served in Bomber Command and for RAF airmen. A cousin of mine was a B-26 co-pilot in the US Air Force; he died one month later, in August 1944.

"Having plaques made in honor of their memory seemed the natural thing to do. I also recently had a paving stone engraved for the Ribbon of Remembrance at the newly opened International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln."