Now four young crew of a Lancaster bomber who lost their lives when the aircraft was shot down in flames have finally been honoured for their sacrifice.

Flying officer Leslie Markland Hough, of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF); sergeant Henry Charles Burnside of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and Sgt John Lawson RAFVR, all died when their bomber plunged to ground after it has hit be enemy fire during a raid on the Ruhr Valley in Germany.

Pilot officer (Plt Off) John Henry Tales, of the RAFVR bailed out of the stricken aircraft but was captured by German soldiers who shot him soon afterwards.

Flying officer Leslie Hough (Image: Aircrew Remembered)

Pilot Officer John Tales (Image: Aircrew Remembered)

Sgt Henry Burnside (Image: Aircrew Remembered)

Sgt John Lawson (Image: Aircrew Remembered)

Three other crew on board the four-engined warplane, which took off from RAF Methwold, near Downham Market on December 8, 1944, survived after they bailed out.

Those who died were buried in graves marked "unknown" at the Commonwealth War Graves........

© Eastern Daily Press