Mick Bradford not only mounted a moving remembrance ceremony in honour of three brave young RAF airmen who lost their lives in the September 1942 Shottermill aircrash, last Sunday... but he followed it up with a spectacular Spitfire display, at Gibbet Hill.

It was the last year Mick organised the annual service in memory of the airmen killed in the town’s World War II tragedy – Flying officer William Michael Winter, 22, Pilot Officer John Horace Lindley, 34, and Flight Sergeant Wilfred Ernest ‘Jimmy’ Cleall, 27,

Mr Bradford succeeded in making it a truly memorable occasion.

Bowing out in style, he arranged for a six-minute display by Biggin Hill-based the ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire, to the delight of a large crowd gathered on the Devil’s Punch Bowl

The thrilling flypast at 4pm was performed in homage to three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In addition to the air display, Mick hired a full-size reproduction Spitfire as a static display which the large crowd gathered were able to admire close up.

It was assembled by members of Haslemere Squadron ATC under the command of Flight Lieutenant John Bristol, who also ceremonially unveiled the plinth during the service.

It is thanks to Mick’s determination the town should honour the three airmen that a plinth was erected at Junction Place, near the scene of the tragedy, which occurred on September 22, 1942.

It was officially unveiled in 2013, days after the death of his father, well-known town resident “Slim” Bedford – and this year’s extra-special remembrance service was also mounted in his memory.

For the first time this year, Mick had managed to track down representatives from all three families who attended the memorial service in Shottermill and the air display in Hindhead.

John Samuelson, who lives in Switzerland, returned to honour William Winter, having attended the ceremony four years ago.

Janet Garner, who was also present in 2013, returned from Stockport to reprsent John Lindley; while Cotswolds resident Tricia Haine attended for the first time with 92-year-old relative June Hinton-East, who assembled Spitfires during the war to represent ‘Jimmy’ Cleall.

Rev Clare Shepherd, St Stephen’s Church curate, led the service at which Mick retold the history of the accident.

Squadron Leader John Butler, from RAF Odiham, commended the bravery of the three airmen and a minute’s silence was observed while the Last Post was sounded by Peter Foster, after which relatives laid flowers and Lucy Fowler sang Abide with Me.

Mrs Garner said: “John’s mum was my great aunt.

“It was really exciting to hear his story and wonderful to be able to come here and see how he has been honoured.”

Mr Samuelson revealed he had a special bond with William Winter because his middle names are William Michael. “I am so proud and grateful to Mick for achieving this,” he said. “It’s very important to remember the sacrifices that were made.”