NEW light has been shed on the case of a North-East airman shot down while on a bombing mission during the Second World War.

The Northern Echo can today publish a picture of Sergeant Charles Rowland Metcalfe, who was part of a seven-strong Halifax bomber crew which crashed in Holland.

Last week it was reported that his and the body of another crew member, Flight Sergeant John Stell, may be returned to England, after the site of the wreckage was found.

Both men were never accounted for and were officially recorded as missing in action after their plane was shot down by the Germans in June 1942 and crashed in the village of Saint Maartenvloutbrug.

It is now known that Sgt Metcalfe, from Darlington, who was known as Rowland or "Ronnie", was a gunner on the plane which set off from Middleton-St-George, County Durham, for Bremen, Germany.

He had a sister Betty, who was married to Roy Allsop, who was in the Royal Navy.

Both have since moved away from Darlington and although Mr Allsop has died, it is thought his wife may still be alive.

Ann Forster, whose late husband Reg, a farmer from Killerby, County Durham, was a cousin of Mr Metcalfe, said: "My husband was best of friends with him and it was a big blow when he went missing.

"For a long time people waited for news, but nothing ever came and everyone who knew Ronnie was very upset."

Mr Metcalfe is known to have lived off Staindrop Road, Darlington, and was 28 when he died.

Plans are being made by a Dutch group to recover the wreckage of his Halifax bomber - which is buried under a meadow.

It is thought that the remains of Sgt Metcalfe and Flt Sgt Stell may be inside the wreckage.

Anyone who knew SgtMetcalfe or his sister, Betty, is asked to contact The Northern Echo on (01325) 505064.