A DUTCH research group investigating missing airman is trying to trace the family of a WWII flight engineer from Saltcoats who died when his plane was shot down over the Netherlands.

Stichting Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation (SMAMF) is hoping to contact relatives of Alexander Simpson, who was among the crew of the Halifax W1113 of No 405 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force.

The bomber failed to return from an operation to Bremen, Germany, in 1942 and was intercepted by a German night-fighter flown by Rudolf Sigmund.

After a short aerial combat, the Halifax was shot down and crashed near the of village Noordwolde. The entire crew, which included Simpson, an Australian, four Canadians, and two Englishmen, lost their lives. The eight men were buried in the local cemetery.

Douwe Drijver, treasurer and researcher at SMAMF, said: “Alexander Simpson was born in 1920 or 1921 and his parents were Alexander Stewart and Annie Campbell Macadam Simpson. Their last known address was in Saltcoats, Ayrshire.

“We hope to receive positive reactions so we are able to exchange information about him and the crash with the family.

“It must be emphasized that it is absolutely not our purpose to violate anyone’s privacy. All the information passed on to us will be for use of the foundation only.”

On June 30, exactly 75 years after the crash, an information-panel was unveiled opposite the eight mens’ graves.

Douwe said: “It tells the story of the crash and the brave men who gave their lives for our freedom. The people of Noordwolde will never forget their sacrifice for their freedom.”

The SMAMF has been investigating the air-war over the Northern part of the Netherlands since the 1970s. The foundation’s main objective is to gather as much information as possible about the aircraft and airmen which came down over the province of Friesland during WWII. Over the years, their archival research has brought them in contact with many former airmen, pilot-helpers and other researchers all over the world.

If you are a relative of Alexander Simpson or you can help in any way, please contact the SMAMF via their website at http://www.luchtoorlogfriesland.nl/ or on +31(0)58-2120111.