Story of Second World War airman who survived a Lancaster bomber crash is published by his son

An airman’s escape from a crashed Lancaster Bomber is charted in a book written by his son.

Ronald Morley was a wireless operator on the aircraft when it was shot down over Belgium in 1943.

He had been stationed with the 29 Operational Training Unit at RAF North Luffenham before moving onto the bombers during the Second World War.

His son Keith Morley said: “Eighty years ago on November 3, 1943 his aircraft was shot down over Northern Belgium and his escape through Nazi-occupied Europe began.”

Twenty-two-year old Ronald parachuted out of the aircraft and survived. He sheltered in a haystack overnight and was taken in by the Belgian resistance which engineered his escape.

Ronald travelled through Belgium and France and walked over the Pyrenees to Spain on a route known as the Comet Line before reaching Gibraltar and being flown home in a Dakota aircraft.

Keith researched his father’s story over 23 years by visiting national archives, trawling websites and meeting members of the escape line and resistance. He has now published Don't Look Back to share his father’s journey. It is available to buy from Troubador Publishing and online retailers.

Keith said: “Writing the book has been a long and emotional experience.”