Western Daily Press (Saturday)
RAF hero survived the Death March and escaped
TRIBUTES have been paid to an RAF hero and ex-PoW who has died aged 102.
Stephen Bacon served as a midupper gunner on Lancaster bombers during the Second World War.
But he was captured by the enemy in January 1943, when his plane was shot down returning from a bombing raid over Germany.
Initially it was believed that Stephen, who was based at RAF Wickenby, in Lincolnshire, had died alongside the rest of his crew and a memorial service was even held for them.
However, it was later discovered that the crew, including Stephen, had survived.
Stephen’s son-in-law Stuart Mitchell, 76, has paid tribute to him and said the great-grandad of five had some “fascinating memories” from his time in the RAF.
He said: “Stephen was from the generation that never spoke about their wartime experiences.
“It was, he said, just something they had to do.
“However, in 2015 Stephen helped with a project to create a place for recognition and remembrance at International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.
“It seemed to unearth all his fascinating memories.”
The young airman escaped from a working camp three times, only to be re-captured days later each time.
Stephen was also one of the hundreds of prisoners of war forced into a Death March, where the Germans forced people to walk in extremely harsh conditions.
Stuart recalled how Stephen survived the march by sleeping under an Army greatcoat with two other men.
Stuart said: “He opened up a lot more then about his wartime experiences.
“This includes having to take part in the Death March where he would have to share an Army greatcoat with two or other men sleeping on freezing cold nights, often in the open air or in barns or bombed out factories.
“He was a tough old guy certainly. “Stephen was lucky enough to survive the march and be picked up by American troops somewhere near the Dutch border.”
After the war, Stephen found work in the weaving sheds of Burnley and Blackburn in Lancashire.
He then met and married his wife Alice, who died around 50 years ago, when she was 53.
Stephen was also honoured by Burnley Borough Council on his 100th birthday for his contribution to protecting Britain during the war. He died on September 10.
Stuart said: “In his later years, Stephen enjoyed playing dominoes at the General Williams on Manchester Road and walking his dog Sam.”