EFFORTS are being made to trace relatives of an Ashburton airman who died in a plane crash in 1942.

Sgt Tom Pascoe was one of seven servicemen, including four New Zealanders, and one Canadian, killed when a Stirling bomber crashed on take-off at RAF Newmarket.

Now a bronze plaque is to be unveiled near the crash site in their memory.

The Friends of the 75 (New Zealand) Squadron Association, want to track down surviving relatives to make them aware of the dedication ceremony which is to be held later this year.

Sgt Pascoe, the son of Vivian and Elizabeth Pascoe, was buried in St Andrew’s churchyard, Ashburton.

He was a mid-upper gunner on the bomber which came down in December 1942.

Shortly after take-off and due to lay mines off Bordeaux, the Stirling clipped its starboard wheel on the top of Devils Dyke and its engine failed.

Out of control, the bomber spun into the ground, coming down about a mile from the airfield.

Five other aircraft waiting to take off had their missions abandoned.

Mike Nicholas, of Newmarket, has commissioned the bronze plaque to commemorate the lost crew.

In 1947, a simple memorial was laid at the site but down the years, it rotted away so the new one is to be a permanent replacement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kevin King, chairman of the Friends of 75 (New Zealand) Squadron Association, on [email protected] or call 01622 739842 or 07801 743211.