THE aircraft in which a pilot from Malvern died in 1947 is to be declared a war grave later this year.

Lieutenant-Commander Nathaniel Martin Hearle, the senior pilot of 812 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, was killed in a flying accident near Melbourne on July 20.

Aged 32, he was the son of Kathleen May Hearle, of Church Road, Malvern Link. The squadron was based aboard aircraft carrier HMS Theseus, which was touring the Far East and Australasia.

The ship's history is charted in a website created by Bill Grice, of Normanton, West Yorkshire, who was an air mechanic with 812 Squadron at the time of the crash.

Lt-Cdr Hearle died when his aircraft, a Fairey Firefly, collided with another during a flying exercise over Port Phillips Bay, near Melbourne. All four crew members were killed instantly and Lt-Cdr Hearle was buried at sea.

Now Mr Grice has revealed that the wreckage of the planes were discovered two years ago by Australian divers, who kept quiet about their find.

But the discovery has now been revealed and plans are afoot to mark the 60th anniversary of the crash in July this year.

Mr Grice says a service is planned and a plaque will be deposited on the spot, which will then be declared a war grave.

He is keen to hear from any relatives or friends of the late serviceman. Mr Grice can be contacted on 01924 892246 or via www.hmstheseus.co.uk.