A FLIER who sacrificed his own life to save that of a young cadet is to be remembered and honoured.

Hero John Quinton clipped the only available parachute to Middlesbrough air cadet Derek Coates as his plane broke up following a mid air crash, just over half a century ago.

Derek, who had been taken up for a flight as a treat landed safely, but 30-year-old student navigator Flight Lieutenant Quinton and two other members of the crew of the Wellington were killed.

His act of heroism won him a posthumous George Cross and this first weekend in April will see today's Middlesbrough Squadron cadets and relatives of Flight Lieutenant Quinton attend a memorial service at Leeming, North Yorkshire.

Squadron Leader James Cauldfield, a padre from RAF Leeming, where the accident happened, will conduct the ceremony which will include a parade of standards and the sounding of the last post at the graveside.

This year sees the 60th anniversary of 1869 (Middlesbrough) Squadron Air Training Corps.

The tragedy unfolded during a summer camp at RAF Leeming attended by 60 of the cadets' predecessors in August 1951.

Two cadets were selected to fly as passengers on a training exercise involving two planes.

Cadet Corporal Malcolm Brunton, 15, and the pilot of the aircraft in which he was flying were killed when, following the collision, their plane went into an uncontrollable spin and crashed into the ground.

On board the second critically damaged plane - the Wellington - John Quinton attached the only available chute to Derek and then helped the youngster jump to safety.

The Wellington crashed near Catterick killing all three crew members.

Flight Lieutenant Gary Davidson, Officer Commanding the squadron, said: "It is important that the current cadets are aware of the events and selfless heroism of that day. It is a major part of our squadron history and it is very fitting that we are able to pay tribute in our 60th year."

Cadet Corporal David Harland, 15, from Acklam, said: "We still fly regularly from Leeming on air experience flights. Everytime we fly we will remember what happened."