The identities of two RAF heroes killed during a top-secret Second World War mission have finally been established following a police probe into the discovery of their remains.
The remains were found on a remote farming location, in Hambleton, North Yorkshire in March 2020, which sparked a criminal investigation.
Police and the Ministry of Defence then launched a large scale operation involving experts from the RAF, the army and forensic archaeologists.
Officers confirmed on Thursday (February 3) that they had been identified as belonging to Alfred Robert William Milne and Eric Alan Stubbs, both of whom were 22.
Investigations revealed the pair were killed when their Mosquito aircraft crashed on the North York Moors near Bransdale, Helmsley, on October 11, 1944. At the time, they were on a training exercise from RAF Beccles in Suffolk to RAF Turnberry in Ayrshire when they disappeared.
The servicemen flew with the covert 618 squadron, which was tasked with the development and use of the bouncing bomb during the war. Military memorabilia was found among their bodies, which had remained buried for more than 75 years.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now determined that there is not enough evidence to pursue suspected offences against a 74-year-old man. The offences have not been specified.
Praise was given to North Yorkshire Police and the Ministry of Defence Police, recognising the exceptionally challenging nature of the investigation, however.
Detective Inspector Carol Kirk, the North Yorkshire Police senior investigating officer, said the men had now been buried with dignity and respect. He said: "At the beginning of this investigation, I don't think any of us thought we'd be able to identify who the remains belonged to, let alone return them to their families and be given military burials with the dignity and respect that they deserved.
"Even without being able to progress the investigation to court, we still believe this is a significant achievement. I have recently had contact with both families and they wish to pass on their thanks to all those involved in bringing Alfred and Eric home."
DI Kirk added: "On behalf the investigation team, I thank North Yorkshire Police, Ministry of Defence Police, Army and RAF colleagues who have played a part in this highly complex and challenging operation.
"The commitment, diligence and professionalism from everyone involved has been outstanding. I also thank our local authority and community partners for their unstinting support throughout, and to the local residents whose daily lives were disrupted for many weeks while this activity was ongoing at the location."
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