Spitfire hero’s wreck found 76 years later
THE wreckage of a Spitfire belonging to a Second World War hero pilot who vanished without trace has been found on a beach.
Flying Officer Sydney Hatfield Cheeseman disappeared on February 22, 1944, on a bombing raid.
His plane spun out of control 20 miles off the Dutch coast whi le escorting US bombers targeting a Nazi air base.
Part of 501 Squadron, based at RAF Hawkinge, Kent, he is presumed to have drowned, aged 21.
The partial wreck of the plane washed up in the village of Vrouwenpolder.
His brother John, 88, who lives in Barham House Nursing Home, Kent, was relieved to hear the news.
“It’s really cheered John up,” said home administrator Riannon Rye.