FRENCH villagers are inviting family and friends of a Preston war victim to attend a special tribute ceremony.

RAF Gunner Robert Leyland was one of five men on board a Halifax aircraft shot down over France on July 25, 1944. He was just 20 years old.

The crew were buried in a communal grave in a church at Piencourt, Calvados in North West France.

Now the Mayor of the French town wants to unveil a plaque in memory of the men.

But they are hunting for the crew's friends and descendents in order to invite them to attend the ceremony.

Sergeant Leyland was an apprentice engineer and studied mechanical engineering at the Harris Institute, now the University of Central Lancashire, from 1939 to 1941. He lived with parents Richard and Lillian on Wilmot Road, Ribbleton.

The crew came from the 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Association. The Squadron's honorary secretary Tom Wingham is co-ordinating the hunt for relatives. He has organised similar searches for memorial services across the Channel.

Tom said: "Relatives are extremely moved and very grateful when we tell them of the reaction of countries on the continent. These nations are determined to make sure the war dead are not forgotten.

"In Holland and Belgium, schoolchildren are taught to look after plaques and graves of people who died for their freedom."

If you are or know the whereabouts of a relative or friend of Robert Leyland, contact Nicola at the Citizen on (01772) 255522, or Tom Wingham on 01284 754906.

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