Reader spots long lost photo of war hero uncle in The Sunday Post

A WOMAN has found a treasured snap of her war hero uncle – thanks to The Sunday Post.

Jane Swalwell was reading last weekend’s paper when she spotted this line-up of Second World War airmen.

The same photograph had taken pride of place in her gran’s home, but had been lost long ago.

Jane’s uncle John was one of five men killed when their aircraft was downed over Italy.

She’s now set to receive a copy of the picture, which accompanied an article about Jim Marshall, 94, the only survivor of the crash, who made medical history after undergoing pioneering treatment on the extensive burns he suffered.

Retired university secretary Jane, 75, from Ashington, Northumber-land, revealed:“I was leafing through the paper when suddenly I saw my uncle. There he was in the same photo my gran had on her piano throughout my childhood.

“We were never allowed to touch it. It was a real joy to find it again.”

Reading the story, memories came flooding back.

“When I saw that Jim had landed in trees, the hairs rose in my neck.

“I remembered my mother telling me that the last entry in the Uncle John’s flying log read: ‘Trees Trees Trees’.

“The logbook may well be lost but it’s wonderful that there is still someone alive who remembers his last moments.”

John, who had planned to become a doctor after the conflict, was just 21 when he was killed. “My gran’s heart was broken. It’s wonderful to discover that Jim has gone on to live a long and healthy life,” said Jane.

Last week we told how Jim was now one of the UK’s last remaining members of the Guinea Pig Club – whose members earned their name because of the experimental surgery they underwent. Last night, Ayrshire-based Jim said he had taken steps to ensure Jane would get a copy of the keepsake.

“I often think of my old aircrew and wonder how they families fared. I can only send them my very best wishes.”