Five Second World War Pathfinders were present at a parade held to honour their achievements.

The parade took place at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel in March. It was attended by 156 Squadron (RAF Warboys) veterans Roy Briggs, Jack Watson, Rupert Noye, Howard Kirby and Doug Read, as well as the widow of another pathfinder, June Tindall. The Pathfinders were target marking squadrons in RAF Bomber Command. They located and marked targets with flares, which a main bomber force could aim at, increasing the accuracy of their bombing.

Rod Finn, of the Chiltern Air Crew Association, said: “The Pathfinders were an elite squadron who played a very important role marking targets for the following bombers.”

At the parade, Mayor of March Councillor Rob Skoulding was made an honorary member of the squadron.

Mr Finn said: “We have been coming to the Oliver Cromwell Hotel for so many years and they have always taken care of us and our families so this was a small way of saying thank you.

“Rob’s father was also an honorary member and was buried wearing the squadron’s tie.”