IAM very interested in the wartime Royal Air Force and, in particular, 617 Squadron and the famous 'Dambuster' raid of May, 1943.

For the past 18 years, I have been researching the men involved in this raid, but am now trying to find further information on one who has a Nelson connection.

Flight Sergeant Samuel Hitchen was born in Nelson on October 23, 1921, and later joined the RAF, training as an air gunner.

He did not take part in the actual raid on the dams, but was posted to the squadron soon after as a replacement for some of the men who had been lost.

He took part in a couple of later raids with 617 Squadron, but was sadly killed with his crew on September 16, 1943, during an operation to bomb a canal in Germany.

Sam was quite short -- 5ft 4in -- and had brown hair. I know he also had at least one sister. I would like to hear from anyone who might recall him, especially if they can put me in touch with any relatives.

ALEX BATEMAN, 70 Headstone Lane, North Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 6HW. (Tel. 020 -- 8863-1235). E-Mail: alex.bateman@virgin.net