A Sunderland flying boat crewman’s bravery nearly 70 years ago has been commemorated through the donation of a George Medal to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

The medal was awarded to Flt Sgt Ernest Evans for the heroic rescue of two of the crew of a Sunderland (NJ267 of 201 Squadron) which crashed while carrying out take-offs and landing in Milford Haven in March 1954. In what was RAF Pembroke Dock’s worst post-war accident, seven of the crew died and four survived.

Ernest, flight engineer in the crew, twice dived back into the shattered and sinking Sunderland and pulled two airmen to safety. The medal, along with campaign medals, photographs and logbooks, have been donated by Ernest’s daughter, Patzi Harradine, and husband John. Patzi was only two when the accident happened. She said: “It was a very emotional visit for me and I am so thankful that my father’s medal and items from his collection are now in the care of the Heritage Centre team and will be displayed there.”