THE family of a Newport airman whose grave has been discovered have been urged to come forward and get in touch.

Frank Bernard Abbott, who was born on June 8, 1912 to Bernard and Honora Abbott, died aged 27 during the Second World War.

He was flying on a Fairey Battle aircraft over the Sedan area of France when it failed to return on May 14, 1940.

It is known to have crashed near the town of La Neuville-a-Marie, with all three crew members originally buried in the local cemetery.

After the war, their remains were moved to an Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission cemetery at Sedan-Torcy.

They were initially buried as ‘Unknown British Airmen’ but they have since been identified by a process of elimination.

Mr Abbott joined the Royal Air Force upon leaving school in January 1929 and went on to serve in the 1930s.

Just after the outbreak of war he married Laura May Cox but within six months of their marriage he was tragically killed.

His body was found alongside Raymond Douglas Hughes, aged 20, from Aberdare, Glamorgan.

Now an appeal has been launched by the Ministry of Defence Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) to track down any of the surviving relatives so that they can be invited to attend a Service of Rededication at their grave in France.

Louise Dorr, from the JCCC said: “We would love to hear from any of either Frank or Raymond’s families, or from anyone who can help us find them.”

If you can help, call Louise on 0044 (0) 1452 712612 extension 5465 or email her on: DBS-JCCCCommem4SO3@mod.uk