THE mystery surrounding the identity of a Kidderminster man who died in a Second World War plane crash in Canada has been solved.

Little was known about William Bird - other than his service number - but Canadian aviation historian Bob Banting's 10-year quest for information about him has finally borne fruit, thanks to a town group.

Now, Mr Banting says the navigator, who was buried in Canada with military honours but without any relatives present, can be honoured properly at future services in Musgrave Harbour, near where the plane crashed and which has a permanent memorial to the incident.

Mr Bird was on a Lockheed Hudson bomber which came down in Newfoundland while on a flight to England in February, 1941.

Thanks to the "detective work" of Bob Millward, of the Kidderminster and District Historical and Archaeological Society, and his brother Phil, the puzzle about Mr Bird's family has been pieced together.

Mr Millward, of Cardinal Drive, said: "We had Mr Bird's service number and my brother chased his RAF sources for information.

"He was born in the parish of St George, Kidderminster, on November 18, 1915, and, at the time of his death, his wife Gertrude Ann was living in Evesham Road, Cheltenham, with her parents Mr and Mrs Frederick Haslum. Mr Bird had one child, a son, who was just over one when his father died.

"Mr Bird was a native of Kidderminster but had lived in Cheltenham since about nine and was the only son of Florence Bird of Gretton - a village about five miles north-east of Cheltenham."

From his home in Canada, Mr Banting said: "As a historian I am elated to receive this information.

"The details I have now far exceed the expectations I had when I first contacted Mr Millward last December."

The 59-year-old, of Oakville, Ontario, added: "Now Mr Bird can be honoured correctly at any memorial services at Musgrave Harbour.

"His son would be my age if he is still around. It is only fitting that we find him because that way he will know how the town of 600 people in Newfoundland remembers his father."

The Shuttle/Times and News appeal for information on Mr Bird last month attracted the attention of a Franche pensioner with a family link to the story.

Betty Tyler was "surprised" to find the name of her uncle, William Snailham, in print.

Mr Snailham, who was a wireless operator aboard the plane, was one of the men who died in the crash of flight T-9449. The 74-year-old said: "We are originally from Lancashire and Uncle Bill emigrated to Canada, so I did not expect to see his name in a Kidderminster paper.

"I don't know William Bird but I thought I'd contact Mr Millward anyway."

Mrs Tyler has given Mr Millward some documents and photographs including a hand-written letter of condolence from former aircrafts minister Lord Beaverbrook to Mr Snailham's mother.

Mr Banting said: "The letter Mrs Tyler supplied is pure gold. It will draw focus to Mr Snailham's story."

Anyone with more information should contact Mr Millward on 01562 515087 or e-mail Mr Banting at bob@banting.ca.