A COMMEMORATION ceremony has been held for a South Lakeland test pilot killed in an air show crash 70 years ago.

Squadron Leader Alan Ormerod Moffet, of Skelsmergh, near Kendal, died when his jet swerved and plunged to the ground in front of thousands - including his pregnant wife - during a gala fly-by in 1945.

Seven decades later, the community that witnessed the crash has honoured his life by dedicating a seat in his memory.

The Squadron Leader's daughter, Anna Bennett, of Carnforth, never managed to meet her father but told the Gazette she had been 'humbled' by the kindness shown to her by those who watched his final moments.

Born in 1920, Sqd Ldr Moffet attended Windermere Grammar School before joining the RAF and going on to be a chief test pilot for Power Jets.

At 22 years of age he was awarded the Air Force Cross for courage and devotion to duty which he demonstrated during experimental work on jet engines.

While stationed in the Midlands at Whetstone, a gala was arranged in the Leicestershire village of Blaby and the 25-year-old pilot was asked to do a test flight to entertain the crowds.

But when the Gloster Meteor aeroplane - containing one of the first jet engines - took to the skies on July 21, 1945, onlookers including Sqn Ldr Moffet's wife Mollie - six months pregnant with daughter Anna - along with residents and Power Jets officers watched in horror as the aircraft plummeted to earth.

"The sad thing is that the crash happened after the hostility finished, as VE day had been in May," added Mrs Bennett, 69, who was contacted in May this year by the organisers of the ceremony after a three year search.

Shirley Smith, of the Blaby Heritage and Museum Society, was 11 when he saw the plane come down, leaving an 'indelible' imprint on his memory.

The 80-year-old designed a seat with a memorial plaque to the pilot which was unveiled at the event and overlooks the crash site.

"It was very emotional but also uplifting," said Mrs Bennett. "I spoke to people who had been there and saw what happened.

"It was a a wonderful day and the family found it very humbling."

Paying tribute to the pilot, Mrs Bennett's aunt, Margo Gawith, 88, said: "Alan was admired for so many reasons - always a gentleman but holding forthright views.

"He worked so hard with Wing Commander Frank Whittle of Power Jets and he and my sister had waited until he was made a Squadron Leader to start a family."