Are you related to Sgt Jack Kay? Appeal to trace family of slain WW2 soldier for memorial

Researchers are trying to track down relatives of a Second World War RAF airman who was killed when his bomber was shot down as it flew over Germany.

Sgt Jack Kay of number 76 squadron was killed alongside five of his crew on April 17, 1943 when his Halifax DK165 MP-E bomber was shot down by enemy fire.

Now researchers are trying to trace his relatives and those of his crew in time for a memorial at the site the plane came down near the village of Hassloch, 69 miles south of Frankfurt.

Erik Wieman, of the Historical Research Community Rhineland-Palatinate, said the plane is believed to have been en route to its target - the Czech city of Plzen - when the aircraft came down.

He said: "After the excavation we plan a memorial for the crew at the crash site.

"During the process of excavating we hope to find parts and personal items we can link to the crew, maybe personal items we can return to the families so they can find closure."

He added: "A memorial at the crash site will be our final goal - so no one will pass this spot not knowing anymore because this site, and the fates behind it, were deemed to be forgotten until we searched for it and found it."

Researchers have so far discovered Sgt Kay lived in Blackpool, Lancashire, where he was married to Alice. His parents are listed as Percy and Sarah Ann.

All six of those killed on the plane are now buried at the Rheinberg British Cemetery, while one, known as Mitchell, survived and became a prisoner of war.

The team plans to continue with its excavation and is working to uncover and excavate several similar crash sites in the region.