Appeal for help to tell 'lost' story of WW2 heroes

An archivist hopes to tell the "lost" story of two World War Two airmen who were honoured for saving lives when a bomb exploded.

Adrian Maasz, a volunteer at RAF Marham's Aviation Heritage Centre, in Norfolk, came across the tale of heroism after a George Medal awarded to one of the men, Sqn Ldr Samuel Thompson, sold at auction for £3,800.

He has now appealed for memorabilia and information on Thompson and Leading Aircraftman Donald Setchell, hoping to get enough for a display.

"We want to tell their story. It's part of the heritage of RAF Marham and we think it deserves telling. It's been lost in the mists of time up until now," said Maasz.

On 26 June 1943, a 250-lb bomb prematurely exploded in a bomb dump at RAF Marham, setting fire to a store containing flares used to light up targets.

Maasz said both men had gone to the dump and opened the doors, so the fire brigade could spray water on the flames.

With the fire still burning, the men had loaded four fused bombs onto a trolley and had pushed the trolley out of the dump.

He said: "Had they gone off, there would have been significant loss of life and significant damage to the bomb dump and other parts of RAF Marham."

Maasz said the heritage centre wanted to recognise the airmen's "selfless acts of heroism", which came to light again during April's auction.

He said: "[We] saw they [the medals] had been sold and recognised the connection to RAF Marham, which is where our heritage centre is."

He looked through RAF Marham records for more information about the men, but did not find anything.

Setchell was born and educated in King's Lynn. After WW2, he returned to his family's fruit and vegetable wholesaling business.

Thompson was from Norwich. He got married and had children, who Maasz hopes may still be in the Norfolk area.

"Our appeal is for descendants of both these men to contact us," he added.

Thompson and Setchell were both awarded the George Medal. Maasz believes they were the only two George Medals awarded to personnel at RAF Marham during WW2.

He said: "We think it's very important for service personnel to realise what has gone before them. They form part of the heritage of the Royal Air Force."

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