THREE Belgian Air Force fighter planes will be staging a fly-past over Staplehurst railway station on Monday, September 15, as part of events to commemorate the death of one of their fallen comrades during the Second World War.

The fly-past has been organised by Staplehurst man Edward Sergison, who has spent seven years organising a commemorative plaque to be placed at the station, where Belgian fighter pilot Georges Louis Joseph Doutrepont died 63 years ago to the day.

The 27-year-old pilot was killed when his plane spun out of control after colliding with a German plane above Staplehurst on September 15, 1940.

It smashed through a line of pear trees next to Staplehurst railway station and came to rest inside the booking office, where it exploded.

Eighteen-year-old booking clerk Charles Ashdown, from Pluckley, near Ashford, was also killed in the crash.

As part of the commerorative day, Pilot Doutrepont's son and his family will travel from Belgian, while Mr Ashdown's colleague Jack Wood, from Ashford, will also be there.

Mr Wood and his friend Mr Ashdown tossed a coin on the morning of the crash to see who would man the booking offices in Staplehurst and Headcorn for the trains taking hop pickers back to London.

Arranging the fly-past by the pilots has taken Mr Sergison months of organisation, but his efforts have paid off: five Battle of Britain veterans and others linked with the tragedy will be there to witness the nostalgic sight.

The Rev Gill Calver, the Rector of Staplehurst, will lead a short service of commemoration at the station.

Mr Sergison, a Battle of Britain enthusiast, said he felt strongly that there should be a permanent record of the tragedy.