Members of Ludlow Probus Club, moved by the story of Pilot Officer Laurie Whitbread, laid a wreath on his grave earlier this month.

Pilot Officer Laurie Whitbread was born in Ludlow on August 21,1914, and lived at 4 Upper Linney.

He attended Ludlow Grammar School, and at the age of 25, in March 1939 he joined the Royal Air Force and began pilot training ahead of heading into battle as Britain and the other Allies fought against the Nazi war machine.

Having gained his "wings" he was posted in March 1940 to 222 Squadron who were equipped with Spitfires, operating over the Dunkirk beaches and in the Battle of Britain from Hornchurch in Essex.

Spitfires are famed for their role in the Second World War, when they took part in various pivotal operations, from taking to the skies in the Battle of Britain to providing air support for the Allied troops in the Normandy landings.

During his time in the RAF, he shot down a German bomber and a Bf109 fighter.

Tragically he himself was shot down and killed on September 20 1940.

Laurie's aircraft crashed near Rochester in Kent and his body was brought to Ludlow where he was buried with full military honours at Henley Road cemetery.

To commemorate Laurie, Ludlow Probus Club laid a wreath on his grave having earlier in the week listened to a talk by David Trotter, entitled One of the Few about his wartime service.