WAR veterans are making a pilgrimage to a French grave to honour a 16-year-old Darwen boy killed in the Second World War.

The 95th (Barnet) Branch of the Normandy Veteran Association is seeking relatives of Private Jack Banks, who was in the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.

Terry Burton, chairman of the North London association, said: "We know Jack's parents were called Jack and Fanny and we know he lived in Darwen.

"Jack is such a shining example of all those soldiers who gave their lives for their country and his grave stands out because he was only 16.

"Jack is known to many military organisations across the country and we thought that, because we don't know anything about his family, we would try to get in touch with people in Darwen who might have known him.

"We offer them the chance to lay a wreath or a cross on his grave which we can take over."

Jack's grave lies in the Jerusalem cemetery in the Chouain area of France. He was thought to have died when German troops advanced on Bayeux after British forces had landed in Normandy in June 1944.

Mr Burton said: "He made his way in and survived the onslaught on the beaches but was later killed by German troops on July 21."

The pilgrimage takes 14 veterans to war graves of their comrades in Jerusalem cemetery, Ramville and Bayeux, the largest British cemetery in France with more than 9,000 graves.

The association helps to unite all members and encourages the spirit and comradeship of former servicemen. The group meets on the fourth Friday of each month.

Mr Burton said: "We have a minibus which is donated by Help the Aged and we take the pilgrimage each year.

"We want friends, aunts, uncles, nephews and anyone who knew Jack to get in touch with us. We could take pictures of the grave and bring it back for them."

Anyone with information should contact Terry on 0208 3688802.