An aviation enthusiast from the North-East has dedicated many years to piecing together an amazing collection of photographs, official records and various items of memorabilia as a tribute to one man's amazing courage. Kate Bowman reports.

THE squadron operations record book simply records the fate of Lancaster KB726 VR-A as "Missing".

Written immediately after the debriefing on the raid to bomb marshalling yards in the Cambrai region of France in June 1944, it lists all seven crew members.

The names include that of Warrant Officer II Andrew Mynarski, who was midupper gunner on that fateful flight.

When the record book was filled in shortly after the surviving bombers returned to their base at RAF Middleton St George, near Darlington, no one could have guessed that the bravery and valour shown by the 27-year-old would earn him a posthumous Victoria Cross.

The photocopy of the operations record book for the Royal Canadian Air Force's 419 Squadron - the original is at the Public Records Office in London - is one of the most treasured possessions of aviation enthusiast Geoff Hill.

The first entry, made after the raid on June 12-13, continues: "This aircraft took off to attack Versailles. . . As nothing has been heard from this aircraft from take-off, its failure to return to base must be presumed to be due to enemy action."

It lists the other crew members as Flying Officer Art de Breyne (pilot), Flying Officer Robert Body (navigator), Sergeant Jack Friday (air bomber), Warrant Officer II Jim Kelly (wireless operator), Sergeant Roy Vigars (flight engineer) and Flying Officer Pat Brophy (rear gunner).

A second entry made on June 30 simply lists the Canadian Royal Air Force crew as casualties.

It later emerged that the Canadian-built Lancaster Mark X had been hit by a German Ju-88 and had burst into flames.

All the crew survived apart from Mynarski, who turned away from the escape hatch, after spotting Brophy trapped in the rear gun turret.

With his parachute and clothing on fire, Mynarski, grabbed a fire axe to try and smash the turret free. With time running out he also tried to tear at the turret door with his bare hands.

Realising there was nothing more he could do, he bailed out at low level and was found, still alive, by French farmers, but died hours later. Miraculously, Brophy survived the crash without a scratch.

"We know that Breyne, Body, Kelly, Friday and Vigars all parachuted out and survived, said Mr Hill.

"The first three evaded capture and returned to England in early September.

Vigars and Friday were captured and became prisoners of war."

Mr Hill, 57, of North End, Sedgefield, County Durham, was recently presented with a photograph of the axe used in the rescue attempt when members of 419 Squadron attended a remembrance service at Teesside Airport, organised by the Middleton St George Royal Canadian Airforce Association.

The axe was recovered from the bomber's wreckage by French resistance fighters and in 1981 was presented by the group to Mynarski's sister Stephanie Holowaty.

A year later it was passed to 419 Squadron museum, in Canada.

The Northern Echo has launched a campaign for Mynarski's bravery to be recognised, by having a statue of him erected on the site of RAF Middleton St George - present day Teesside Airport.

Mr Hill believes the story of Mynarski, who was promoted to pilot officer after his death, should be treasured in the North-East, as it is in his native Canada where he is regarded as a national hero.

"Mynarski was awarded the VC posthumously on October 11 - the last person to be awarded the accolade in World War Two, " he said.

"He is a hero in Canada - there is even the Mynarski Lakes named after him.

"What he did is very important - he is the only person awarded a VC from our local bomber base.

"I have dipped into Mynarski's history for years and there is always another tale to tell.

"What I do is in tribute to Mynarski and his life with 419 squadron."