Organisers of a dedication service next month are trying to track down relatives in the Tenby area of a World War II RAF air bomber to invite them to a special unveiling of a memorial plaque.

Educated at Greenhill Grammar School in Tenby, Sgt. David Robert Booker was on his third operation with the RAF Pathfinders when the aircraft crashed in Wimbotsham late on the evening of September 29, 1943 sadly incurring the loss of six of the seven crew.

David was born in India in February 1923, the son of Arthur Booker an engineer, and Mary Jane Booker. In May 1926, the family returned home from India and settled back at Osborne House, Harris Street, Tenby.

David was educated at Greenhill Grammar School in Tenby, and at Christ College.

He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve soon after the outbreak of war and after training as an Air Bomber, was posted to 156 Squadron, which was part of the elite Pathfinder Force, armed with Avro Lancaster heavy bomber.

David was taking part in his third mission when Lancaster, took off from RAF Warboys on September 29, 1943, bound for Bochum.

The crew found their target and returned home, but sadly crashed near Downham Market, Norfolk on the return leg, killing most of the crew, including David.

His body was taken back to Tenby, where he was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery (location Row G, Grave 68. Memorial ID 98210495).

On September 30, 2023 in Wimbotsham, Norfolk, there will be a dedication service for the new memorial plaque honouring the crew of Lancaster Pathfinder EE118 from 156 Squadron out of RAF Warboys, 80 years after the crash.

“Wimbotsham History has spent over three years uncovering the facts behind the crash and would dearly like to make contact with any relatives (maybe cousins) of crew member Sgt. David Robert Booker,” said Carolyn Seymour, one of the organisers of the dedication service, who would like to invite his relatives to the memorial on Wimbotsham Village Green on September 30 starting at 2 pm.

Public contact can be made via email: [email protected]