Video: Ollie Barnes, DBPR

CROWDS of people filled a street in Chepstow to witness the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to a World War Two hero this evening.

More than 200 people flocked to Hardwick Avenue to see the unveiling of a blue plaque to Flight sergeant Bill Townsend, who took part in the audacious Dambuster raid during World War Two.

Chepstow Town Council hosted the ceremony to commemorate the former hero, who was brought up in Chepstow. The unveiling also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Air Force and the 75th anniversary of the Dambusters raid.

After hearing about Mr Townsend’s life, people’s attention quickly turned to the sky as a fly-past of the RAF’s last remaining Lancaster Bomber took place.

Former mayor of Chepstow Ned Heywood said: “He [Sergeant Townsend] flew a Lancaster Bomber and that is why the same make of aircraft flew over.

“It was incredible to see.

“And what a better place to have the blue plaque than on Bill Townsend’s former house.”

Bob Gratton, who served in the RAF, had pushed for a blue plaque to be unveiled.

He said: “I went to the town council quite a while ago and asked if it is possible. Like other people did.

“It has been a jolly good event.”

He added: “It is a shame that Bill Townsend is no longer with us to witness this. But he will always be remembered.”

The Dambuster raid involved bouncing bombs in an attempt to blow up dams in Germany to flood industrial areas.

Mr Townsend led the final wave of six Lancaster Bombers on the dams of the Ruhr Valley in Germany.

He died in 1991 aged 70.