A MAN whose father was killed during a bombing mission in the Second World War is trying to trace the families of the two airmen who died alongside him.

Ken Cothliff is event director for Yorkshire Air Show, which takes place at Elvington, near York.

His father, Canadian William 'Scotty' Gracie, was Flight Engineer on a Halifax bomber that took off from Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire, on August 5 1944 to destroy French caves where the Germans stored V1 flying bombs.

The aircraft was shot down at St Leu D'esserent, where he lost his life.

Also killed were two Yorkshire airmen, and Mr Cothliff is keen to trace their families and organise a reunion at the air show, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22.

One was Pilot Officer G Beresford, who was married and lived in Harrogate.

The other man was Warrant Officer B Clark, who came from Bierley, in Bradford.

Mr Cothliff said: "I never actually met my father because I was born a few days after he was killed, but I have managed to gather a great deal of information about him and his colleagues.

"Hopefully, their families will still be living in Yorkshire so it would be fabulous if we could meet up and remember the three of them on the 60th anniversary of that tragic mission."

Anyone who is able to trace the families can contact Mr Cothliff on (0113) 2509581.