I AM writing on behalf of a friend in The Netherlands who is researching the crew of an RAF Lancaster bomber of 103 Squadron which crashed near Esch in the south-east of Holland on June 17, 1943. Sadly all the crew were killed. The pilot of this aircraft was Pilot Officer K I Dexter and among the crew was Sgt Horace Staples, son of Horace and Ruth Staples and husband of Charlotte Edith Staples of Blackpool.

I will be most interested to hear from any surviving relatives and/or friends of Sgt Staples who may be able to provide background information and possibly the loan of a photograph of him. Please write to me at 96 Wharncliffe Drive, Eccleshill, Bradford, BD2 3SY.

David W Fell.