Spitfire pilots who crashed during the Second World War are to be remembered with a lasting memorial - and organisers trying to trace the family of one pilot are appealing for help in St Albans.

Plans are underway to install a £1,500 stone marker and plaque to remember two young RAF pilots who died during a flying accident in Wiltshire on Palm Sunday, April 6, 1941.

Harold Williams, 23, from Putney and his fellow pilot, John Brewster from Yorkshire will be dedicated at a RAF ceremony on Sunday September 14.

Project leader on the The Seagry Spitfire Memorial Project, Martin Painter, has been able to trace the family of John Brewster in Yorkshire but have not been able to trace the family of Harold Williams. 

He said he has made a "major breakthrough" and identified that Harold's sister lived in St Albans and died in 2003. 

Irene Sylvia Brown (nee Williams) was married to airline pilot Frederick Charles Brown. Fred died in 1997 in St Albans and Irene Sylvia Brown died in November 2003. 

Mr Painter is trying to trace any family or relatives so that they can attend the dedication ceremony, where 400 people are expected to attend. 

The two WW2 Spitfire pilots had been conducting a series of "mock" attacks with Flying Officer Brewster's aircraft acting as the enemy.

During several attack runs the wing of Pilot Officer Williams’ Spitfire came into contact with Flying Officer Brewster's aircraft while they were flying at 2,300ft officer Williams' Spitfire dived into the ground and exploded in flames. Brewster continued for a few seconds before coming down and disintegrating on impact. 

If you have any information that could help email: seagryspitfirememorial@gmail.com