A war veteran is appealing to Keighley News readers for help in tracing the family of a colleague who died in action.

Wireless operator Paul Herbert Langstaff - whose parents Walter and Madge lived at Haworth - was killed in Normandy in July 1944.

Paul, a 20-year-old RAF volunteer reserve, died when his unit came under heavy shellfire as it operated near Caen.

Now his commander, Geoffrey Merriman, is planning to visit the war grave near Bayeux to place a wreath in memory of Paul and a colleague - buried alongside - who died in the same attack.

He is keen to inform family of the tribute, and offer relatives more information about their loved one's courageous service.

Paul was a member of a 15-strong radar and mobile signals unit which, working at night, guided Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft on to targets behind enemy lines.

They came under constant attack.

Mr Merriman, now 80, from Surrey, told us: "The day Paul died we were coming off duty at daylight, and were in the radar vehicle moving under the cover of trees.

"A German plane then flew in low off the sea, and we braced ourselves. It flew straight over and away, it must have been a reconnaissance plane.

"Shortly afterwards shelling started - it was heavy and non stop - and we took cover.

"Some of the men were about 200 yards behind us, also taking cover. When we got over to them, we discovered they had taken a direct hit - two were dead, including Paul, and three were badly injured.

"The nature of our role meant there were great dangers. The beams we used to guide Mosquito planes could also be used by the Germans to pinpoint us, and we would be giving beams for several hours at a time."

Mr Merriman has tried unsuccessfully to trace Paul's relatives through RAF records, and hopes Keighley News readers may be able to assist.

He said: "I managed to trace sisters of the other crew member who died, and they were very grateful to receive details of their brother's actions.

"In view of my advanced age I am anxious to find any relatives of Paul and give them the same information, before I pass on.

"I will be going to Normandy this year with the British Legion to lay wreaths on the graves and to take photographs."

Anyone able to help Mr Merriman in his search can contact him on 0208 643 3947 or write to him at 73 Homefield Park, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2AN.

l The radar and mobile signals units were formed in April 1944.

Using two vehicles operating up to 20 miles apart and close to the front line, radar beacons were transmitted.

The beacons helped Mosquito aircraft of 69 and 140 Squadrons - attached to a photographic reconnaissance unit - to take accurate pictures of the enemy's attempts to build up equipment and men near Caen, which was in a critical position geographically. Operations were carried out only under the cover of darkness, and instructions were received from the reconnaissance team's Northolt base via a wireless unit attached to each vehicle.

When transmissions were complete, the vehicles were hidden close to trees. But the enemy often pinpointed the source of transmissions and despite the vehicles sometimes being moved several times during an operation, damage and casualties were sustained.