DOZENS of people gathered for a poignant service in memory of six Canadian airmen killed during a Second World War training mission.

The Royal Canadian Air Force crew died when its Wellington bomber crashed in fog on the hillside above Oakworth.

On Sunday, at the same spot almost exactly 75 years since the tragedy, people of all ages – ordinary members of the public and dignitaries – stood shoulder to shoulder in remembrance.

They congregated for a service organised annually by Oakworth Village Society since the installation of a special memorial stone at the Tewitt Lane site just over a quarter of a century ago.

Among those present was Canadian Air Force advisor, Colonel Darcy Molstad, who voiced his gratitude that the sacrifice of the airmen was not forgotten.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has taken time to pay their respects to these young men – it’s very humbling,” he said.

“Of the 55,000-plus air crew from Bomber Command who lost their lives during the Second World War, more than 10,000 were Canadians.

“And many of those who died were actually killed during training missions – they were extremely dangerous.”

The service included a reading, the laying of wreaths, prayers, a minute’s silence and a hymn, and the Last Post was sounded.