Guardian Helps Find Final Squadron Hero
See the previous article on October 4th 2001A new Zealand woman searching for her father's old war friend has been overwhelmed by the massive response from Guardian readers.
Melanie Colvin made her appeal on the heritage pages last month for help in tracking down the last member of her father's World War II RAF squadron, former Croydon resident, Leonard Buckingham.
Within 24 hours of the article being published, the Guardian offices were flooded with calls from people and we eventually tracked down his brother from West Wickham.
Leonard died several years ago, but his brother, Ronald, was delighted to speak about his war-hero brother.
Ron said : "Len talked endlessly about his flying days and I heard so much about Melanie's dad. 'Nobby' Clarke."
"I gave Melanie a call and I have sent her copies of Len's documents in the post so he can have a read."
Ron believes the timing of Melanie's appeal was fate and joked that it may have been a message from his brother beyond the grave.
He added : "The timing of this really was a coincidence - almost a sign. Earlier this year O was facing a long recovery period from illness so I decided to start a project of researching my brother's history during his RAF war days, such as his old letters and flight log book."
"Len's RAF crew were part of an elite team who undertook many important, undercover missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service."
Melanie Colvin spent more than 18 months of her father's squadron via the internet.
She thanked the Croydon Guardian and Heritage readers for their help in her quest.
She said : "Dad didn't know more than a couple of things about each squad member so it was a difficult task."
"My biggest fear was that they had all died."
Melanie was thrilled when they found the squadron's mid-upper gunner living in Belgium.
She said : "We are over the moon. It really was possible to find a needle in a haystack."
"With enormous help from the Croydon Guardian we have spoken to Len's brother, Ron."
"Even though there are only three men remaining, I have spoken to the wives of the other crew members and I am collating the information."