A YOUNG Rievaulx man who was killed when his aircraft crashed in the Second World War, is to be officially remembered for his service to his country 60 years on.

John Robinson was only 19 when, as an RAF volunteer, his aircraft came down off the north-west coast of Wales during a training flight. His was the only body to be recovered and he was later buried in Helmsley cemetery with full military honours.

John was one of nine children of Arthur Miller, a local miller, who lived at the Water Mill at Rievaulx with his wife and family which included two sets of twins. He was one of the twins, said Mrs Margaret Gowdy, John's sister who lives at Thirsk.

"I was only four when John was killed," said Mrs Gowdy. "I can just remember seeing him in his uniform."

On leaving Helmsley Methodist School at 14, he joined his father as a wagoner, delivering meal and flour with a wagon and two cart horses to outlying villages and farms.

When his best friend and cousin, Sydney Trousdale, joined the RAF, he told John he was having an exciting time, said Mrs Gowdy. As a result, John left the tranquility of Rievaulx and went into the RAF as a trainee aircraftsman.

"He was very keen to join up," said Mrs Gowdy.

In May 1944 - just 14 months after he enlisted - the family received news that John's aircraft was missing on a training flight. After several days, John's body was washed ashore.

Sydney always blamed himself for persuading John to go into the RAF, says Mrs Gowdy. It was always Sydney's aim to have John's name put on the landmark war memorial in Helmsley churchyard, but before he could achieve it, he died of cancer.

"I'm sure my mother always thought John's name was on the memorial," added Mrs Gowdy.

When the Royal British Legion recently heard that the airman's name was not included among those killed during wartime service for king and country, one of the leading officials in the Thirsk and Helmsley branch, Don Norfolk, the standard bearer, decided to rectify the situation.

He wrote to Helmsley Town Council, which is responsible for the memorial, and its members unanimously gave approval that John should be honoured and action is now being taken to seek formal approval from the York Diocesan Authority for the inscription to be included.

While John's name is missing from the memorial, Mrs Gowdy has discovered it on the altar of the Methodist Chapel at Rievaulx.

"The family was staunch Methodists and my father gave a table and chairs to the chapel," said Mrs Gowdy.

John, whose late uncle Alec served in the RAF for 22 years, was officially recognised by the Commonwealth Graves Commission as 3042103 Aircraftsman 2nd Class.

It is hoped that the inscription will be formally dedicated at a special military service at All Saints Church, Helmsley, later this year.

"The war memorial at Helmsley also serves Rievaulx, because there isn't one in the village" said Mrs Gowdy.

"We are pleased that he is to be officially recognised in this way after so many years - my parents would certainly have wanted it."

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, April 14, 2004