A WAR hero who escaped from a German prisoner of war camp has been honoured by a local RAF base which has named new buildings after him.

Wing commander Dave Bernard was shot down over occupied Belgium in 1941 and put into the prison camp Stalag Luft III.

He was later placed in the camp Stalag Luft IV from which he escaped.

Later despite becoming deaf he formed the RAF’s tactical communications wing which 90 Signals unit based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, is part of.

This week the RAF officially named a new building at the base for 90 Signals unit the Bernard Building in his memory.

Retired group captain Dave Bernard visited the North Yorkshire base for the unveiling in memory of his father.

Mr Bernard donated several items of his father’s to the building including his former uniform and some medals to go on display there.

He said: "I can’t get any more proud of my father, so this doesn’t change that, but to see the family name in gold on the front of the building is quite something.

"I’m going to have a copy of the plaque on his grave to tell people that the building is dedicated to him."

He was accompanied by Alfie Fripp a lifelong friend of his father who he met in captivity.

He said: "For me, this is about saying goodbye to a great friend. I’m pleased that this building has been named in honour of him."

Commander-in-chief air command, air chief marshal Chris Moran, officially opened the building on a tour of the base.

Group captain John Philliban, of 90 Signals, said: "This is probably the first time we have had a purpose-built building and it’s a fantastic opportunity."