An international appeal has found the family of a World War Two hero.

RAF Flight Sergeant Frederick Wall, from Carshalton, died in March 1945 when his Lancaster Bomber was shot down during an attack on an oil plant at Salzbergen in Germany.

German authorities have unveiled a memorial at the crash site and an appeal was launched to find his living relatives.

After hours of research and some frustrating dead ends, Sutton Council have managed to track down Sergeant Wall's 96-year-old cousin, Alice Perkins, who lives in Sutton.

Mrs Perkins said: “I was touched to hear they were honoured in such a way.

“I remember clearly being with Fred at a party shortly before his last flight and he mentioned that he ‘better enjoy himself as it might be his last chance’.”

Six other crew members died in the crash with Sergeant Wall.

They were temporarily buried at the crash site before being moved to the British Reichswald War Cemetery near Kleve.

Although council records revealed Sergeant Wall’s parents were Albert and Kate Wall of Carshalton, there were few clues as to where his living relatives might be.

But, following an appeal for information, staff at the council were contacted by dozens of people including relatives of other crew members on plane.

They were able to provide information about Sergeant Wall and the last photograph taken before the fateful flight.

Finally Alice Perkin’s son Graham contacted Sutton Council’s press office.

Councillor Ruth Dombey, deputy leader of Sutton Council, said: “I’m really glad that we have been able to find his relatives, it was a bit of a needle in a haystack situation, but thanks to a lot of hard work and some luck, Sergeant Wall’s family now know about the memorial which honours the great sacrifice that he made for his country.”

Sergeant Wall, who was aged 29 when he died, was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit 514 Squadron.

He is buried in grave 13.E.7 at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in Germany.