'Can you help bring closure to family of RAF airman from Northampton who died in 1943 aged 20?'

I am writing to seek the help of your readers please in finding closure on the death of an RAF airman from Northampton in 1943 at the age of 20.

A young Dutch student living near the aircraft crash site in Holland has asked for assistance in getting more details about this airman for the book he is researching.

The Northamptonshire Archivist and the Registrar at Northampton Borough Council have done splendid jobs in assembling much of the jigsaw surrounding this airman’s life; but there are still some vital pieces missing, notably the whereabouts of his relatives.

The airman was RAF Sgt Sidney Jepson, who flew as a Bomb Aimer with 426 Squadron RCAF and was shot down in a Wellington bomber on the night of May 24, 1943, over Haaksbergen, Holland. Sidney is buried nearby with his Canadian crew and their names are all commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall of Names at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln. Crucially, Sidney’s parents lived at 30 Boughton Green Road, Northampton, but related enquiries indicate that the family has moved away.

At SSAFA, the Military Charity, we are keen to complete this jigsaw for the sake of the family with the help of your readers and it would be greatly appreciated if anyone with information to trace Sidney Jepson’s family members could respond through your newspaper please.

I am confident that the completed story will be fascinating to read.

Colonel John Royle

Vice-president of SSAFA

Northamptonshire