A MAN trying to trace information about an RAF bomber pilot shot down with his crew is asking people from Mid Cheshire for help.

John Proctor is trying to build up a life history of his dad's cousin, W/O James Ives, who served during the Second World War as an RAF bomber pilot. He was killed at the end of January 1944 along with five members of his crew, one of whom, Sgt Denis Claridge Cornes, came from Northwich.

John has spent a number of years trying to find out details about his relative and is hoping it may help if he can find out information about other members of the crew.

He also says, having spent so long researching the flight crew, he has developed a genuine interest in them and would like to know a bit about their background.

He said: 'As a kid I remember seeing Jim's log book at his father's house but he was never brought up in conversation by his dad.

'A few years ago after he died I asked to see the log book and it really hit home with me. The last page in particular was very poignant as it had his last entry then an entry in someone else's handwriting saying he was missing - that was what made me look into it.'

Through further research he was able to find out that, after flying together as the crew of Lancaster ND360 HW-N of 100 squadron from RAF Waltham for six weeks, W/O Ives, Sgt Cornes and the rest of the crew were shot down by a night fighter over Berlin on January 30 or 31, 1944.

Everyone was killed with the exception of bomb aimer Sgt Robert Fenton, who was taken prisoner of war.

John has managed to find out some basic information about Sgt Cornes, who he believes was from Barnton, but is hoping a Chronicle reader will be able to tell him more.

His number was 1522542 and he was serving as a flight engineer in the crew. His next of kin was recorded as Mr T A Cornes, Police Station, Barnton, Northwich, and he believes this is Denis's father. Sgt Cornes is buried in Berlin's 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

Sgt Cornes is pictured on the left of the photograph along with an unknown WAAF, mid-upper gunner Sgt Harold Johnstone and RCAF and wireless operator Sgt Don Savage.

Anyone with any information can contact John Proctor by writing to him at 24 Egerton Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1DU, or by telephone on 01442 875826.