French historian searches for descendants of Bradfield pilot killed in Second World War

A French researcher is searching for the family of an RAF pilot killed in the Second World War.

Twelve years ago, Feutry Bernard began researching more than one hundred Allied airmen killed in crashes in northern France ahead of a memorial to honour their sacrifice in 2025.

And his search has now led him to West Berkshire, where he is trying to trace the descendants of a Bradfield pilot killed in 1940.

Twenty-seven-year-old flight lieutenant Mark Medley Carter was flying with 3 Squadron RAF when he was shot down in his Hurricane MK1 over France on May 15, 1940.

He is buried in Maubeuge.

Mr Carter, son of Edward and Margaret Carter and husband of Eve Carter, was among 116 airmen killed on Sambrian and Avesnois soil – including 71 British.

Mr Bernard wishes to invite the families of these airmen to attend the memorial service scheduled for April 26, 2025.

He said: “I have been working for 12 years on crashes in my region of Avesnois; the main town is Maubeuge where many aviators rest.”

His project started after he successfully identified the crew of an unknown plane which crashed in his village of Vieux Mesnil.

After contacting the victims’ families, a small memorial service was held.

But Mr Bernard then wanted to learn the histories of all aviators buried in cemeteries in his region.

“The work is now complete, and 29 families have been found,” he added.

“With friends and Claude Dupont, mayor of the village of Boussieres sur Sambre, we decided to make a memorial for the 116 airmen killed.”

Mr Carter was promoted to the rank of officer in the Reserve of Air Force Officers in July 1932.

He was serving as flight commander with Squadron 3 when the Germans launched their western offensive.

He was last seen being chased by enemy fighters.

Contact mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk with any information which could aid Mr Bernard’s research.