An RAF gunner, whose aircraft was recovered more than 75 years after it vanished, has finally been laid to rest in the Netherlands.

Sgt Leonard Richard James Shrubsall, from Iwade, near Sittingbourne, was one of seven crew members on board the Short Stirling Bomber when it was lost returning from a raid on Germany.

The BK716 aircraft had flown out from Downham Market in Norfolk when it went missing on March 29, 1943.

Gunner Sgt Shrubsall’s wife, Beatrice, was three months pregnant when she received a telegram informing her that her 30-year-old husband had failed to return from air operations.

His son Richard, now 79, always thought his father’s aircraft had been shot down over the North Sea until he learned the bomber was discovered in 2019.

The operation to recover it, from Lake IJsselmeer in the Netherlands, started on August 31, 2020.

On Wednesday, September 28, Richard and his wife, Janice, 78, watched Sgt Shrubsall and his crew's funeral at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Janice said: "Nine of the crew's family members were in attendance at the war graves.

"All seven crew members were buried together.

"It was such a beautiful ceremony, it was beautiful and we are so appreciative to the Netherlands.

"It was a glorious day, the sun was shining and the war graves looked so lovely, they are so well kept.

"Just as the service began, by chance, a plane flew over which caused everyone to look to the sky."

Janice explained that 10 wreaths were laid at the ceremony and Great Britain was represented by a flag on the coffins.

She added: "We can't thank the Netherlands enough.

"The two women who organised everything came to the UK and visited each family to make sure the ceremony would go perfectly.

"They took their time, made it special and have said how they don't want to lose touch with any of the families."

After the reception, Janice and Richard were presented with a shield which held a piece of the BK716 aircraft on it.

She said: "One of the other relatives was given a lighter with their family member's initials on it which was found in the plane.

"They were even given a piece of his jacket which was discovered by his crew number."

Janice and Richard were told that 95% of the plane was recovered.

Next year will be the 80th anniversary of the plane's disappearance.

The couple, both from Iwade, plan to visit the memorial again in 2023.