A HUNT has been launched for the family of a Second World War soldier ahead of a commemoration ceremony being staged for him in Holland.

John Greenwood, from Darwen, died aged 19 on September 11, 1942, when his Short Stirling Mark 1 flown by 7 Squadron crashed in Echt in the Limburg province.

During the war, 26 crew from five RAF and RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) died in crashes over Echt.

Now Echt-based foundation Op vleugels der Vrijheid (On Wings of Freedom) is preparing a ceremony to remember all those who died and wants to invite Mr Greenwood's relatives.

Mr Greenwood was a sergeant for the RAF Volunteer Reserve flying with his comrades to Dusseldorf when his plane was shot down at night and he crash landed south east of Echt on the bank of the Juliana Kanaal.

F/L Barr and P/O Runnacles from Sgt Greenwood's squadron are buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery but the rest of the crew have no known graves.

Foundation secretary Marjo Janssen-Huijskens has a keen interest in tracing family history and was asked by the foundation to help them trace the families of all the airmen.

She said she was particularly interested in finding out more about Sgt Greenwood as she herself had a personal connection to Darwen.

Mrs Janssen-Huijskens said: "I found it very interesting that he lived in Darwen, because in 1944 a service man from Darwen was billeted with my grandparents in Louvain in Belgium.

"My mother still remembers his name - Robert Walmsley.

"He even wrote his autograph in her girl's album. He was billeted near the barracks from the fire brigade, where my granddad Georges was commander."

Mrs Janssen-Huijskens, 51, has sent out letters to Greenwoods in Darwen hoping to trace the family of Mr Greenwood whose parents were called Herbert and Edna.

She has had no luck so far despite her efforts writing to all Greenwoods on the electoral register. She said: "The foundation is preparing a commemoration somewhere in 2008 or even 2009 and would love to invite the relatives of these brave airmen to attend this ceremony."

Anyone with information should call the Lancashire Telegraph on 01254 298228.