AFTER bailing out of his shot-down bomber, Robert Makin was captured by Germans, escaping only to be recaptured.

Now, an amateur historian from Holland is seeking relatives of Robert, who lived in Newton-le-Willows, to attend the unveiling of a memorial to his bravery, and that of fellow survivors.

The dramatic events happened during the Second World War, on June 11, 1943, in Giessenburg, the Netherlands.

Robert’s Halifax bomber JB785 was one of six allied planes shot down by a German Messerschmitt.

Two of the seven crew survived from Robert’s bomber and there were a number of survivors from the other five allied aircraft.

Robert Hubert Makin’s war-time address was Grange View, Common Road, Newton-le-Willows.

Historian Peter den Tek, chairman of the Giessenlanden Monument Foundation, has tracked down relatives of some of the survivors but he is keen to find Robert’s family to attend the memorial event on May 2, 2015 in Giessenburg.

Peter, whose wife Catherine is a former Pilkington worker from Rainford, said: “Robert survived the war and it is a remarkable story.

“We have found relatives of some of the crew members and 24 of them will be attending the event in May, but we’ve been unable to find relatives of Robert Makin.”

Robert was injured and captured by the Germans. After recovery at Amsterdam Hospital, he was taken to various prisoner of war camps.Peter said: “Robert and his crew took off from RAF base Graveley on a mission to Münster in Germany on the evening of June 11, 1943.

It was their task as a pathfinder bomber to mark the target railroads by flares for other approaching bombers.

“After this they turned back to base, but over Holland they were intercepted by German Messerschmitt night-fighter planes and the Halifax was shot down.

“Robert and another crew member managed to bail out and survive, the other five men died. Witnesses saw Robert early in the morning injured walking towards a farm.

“Local people let him into their home and contacted a doctor, who realised that he needed treatment in a hospital. Robert was handed over to the Germans, who took him to hospital before taking him pris - oner.”

Peter’s mission began when he found ammunition in a local field, leading to the uncovering of the story.

Anyone related to Robert, or who knows about the family, can contact paula.morris@newsquest.co.uk.