Tributes have been paid to an RAF veteran who served as a mid-upper gunner on Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.

Stephen Bacon, of Burnley, who was a prisoner of war for two years and survived the horrors of a Nazi death march, died aged 102.

Stephen’s life was marked by extraordinary bravery and resilience, as the veteran was captured by the enemy in January 1943 when his Lancaster bomber was shot down over Germany while returning from a bombing raid.

A call has now gone out for as many people, especially veterans, to attend his funeral this week.

In an interview in 2020 when he was honoured by Burnley Council on his 100th birthday, Stephen recalled the experience which resulted in three Lancaster bombers losing their lives.

He said: “I didn’t find it frightening in anyway, I don’t know why I didn’t. I must be a queer fellow.”

He found himself imprisoned at Stalag VIII-B, near the Czech border and was one of hundreds of POWs later forced into a Death March where Nazis forced prisoners to walk long distances in extremely harsh conditions as the Soviet forces approached.

Stephen said there were several hundred men all marching out in the snow from January to March.

After the war, Stephen embarked on a new chapter, working in the weaving sheds of Burnley and Blackburn. He met his late wife Alice and raised their daughter, Marilyn.

In 2021, Stephen was awarded a Certificate of Honour by Lord Wajid Khan to mark his service to the country.

Councillor Cosima Towneley, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services said: "I first met Mr Bacon when arranging a veteran’s gathering.  A very composed gentleman, with the most amazing sense of mischief, he captured the camera with tales horrific and humorous.  The serendipity of circumstance - he had been, not only a Prisoner of War, but in the same camp as my father.

"He touched, for the good, many lives and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.  A unique spirit; one I’ll never forget.  

"I urge people to watch the video produced following the interviews with the last of a cohort of Burnley WWII Veterans.  I wish we’d got them together sooner."

 

Responding to the news of Stephen’s death, a spokesperson for Oaklands Nursing Home in Burnley said: “Stephen was one of our gentlemen who sadly passed away after making it to the grand old age of 102.

“His personality and stories had our staff captivated from the day he arrived on our doorstep. You and your family will never be forgotten.”

A spokesperson for veterans support group Healthier Heroes said: “As an organisation we felt very privilege to have been able to support Stephen and his family as part of our outreach programme.

“We would very much like to be able to give Stephen an amazing send-off, with as many veterans attending as possible as well as any RAF veterans as this would mean the world to Stephen and his family.”

His funeral will be held on Wednesday October 4 at Burnley Crematorium at 11.30am followed by a wake at Burnley Golf Club.

Burnley Council has been approached for comment.