THE name of a pilot, who became the sole Second World War casualty of a village near York when his plane crashed in 1943, is to be added to the local war memorial.

Relatives of RAF Sergeant David Hartnoll Wright are now being urged to come forward so they can attend the rededication service at Stockton-on-the-Forest, which will take place on Remembrance Sunday.

Sergeant Wright, who was born in York on August 24, 1923, died on December 18, 1943, when his Wellington bomber crashed on a training flight at Atcham Aerodrome, Shropshire, killing all members of the crew.

He is buried in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Stockton-on-the-Forest, but little is known about him other than his parents were called Robert and Maude Wright, of York.

Parish councillor Major-General Keith Burch said: "Our war memorial has names from the First World War on it and Sergeant Wright is our only known casualty from the Second World War.

"We think it is only right that his name should be on the memorial so we are going to rededicate the memorial as part of the Golden Jubilee year celebrations.

"Now it's a question of tracking any relatives because we would like them to be here on Remembrance Sunday when we read out all the names on the memorial, and Sergeant Wright's name will be read out for the first time."

The cleaning and engraving of the memorial cost more than £1,000 and the work was funded by the Strensall Ward Committee of City of York Council.

Any relatives of Sergeant Wright, or anyone who has any information can contact Major General Burch on 01904 400305.

Updated: 11:51 Monday, September 16, 2002