A VILLAGE has forged a partnership with a small hamlet in northern France where one of its First World War airmen died and was buried.

The Star reported last year when Rainhill and Latour-en-Woevre held simultaneous ceremonies to remember Second Lieutenant Thomas Alfred Jones, who died aged 19 along with his pilot Lieutenant Hickes after being shot down.

On the day of his death, on August 30 1918, Lt Jones, the son of a Rainhill Station master and his pilot were given the order to bomb the targets of the railways at Thionville and Conflans but their plane was shot down.

The tragic duo were both buried in the tiny French village's graveyard following their deaths and the village has always since remembered Lt Jones.

Research undertaken by Rainhill Civic Society ahead of its World War One exhibition last year resulted in them making contact with French villagers.

And strong ties have since been forged between the two areas with the Rainhill Civic Society and parish council involved in a twinning project to strengthen the links between the communities to honour his memory.

An annual ceremony is now held simultaneously in both villages as an act of remembrance and thanksgiving to the airmen.

"This is a coming together of the people of the villages," said Ann-Veronica Howitt, of the civic society.

"While it's not a big EU-type twinning there hasn't been a twinning like this for a long time in St Helens."

Twinning group chair, Cllr Derek Long of Rainhill Parish Council added: “This link shows how the council is making our past guide us for a better future.

"A big thank you to Ann-Veronica Howitt from Rainhill Civic Society who uncovered this sad, but uplifting story.”

This year's ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 20 at 10am at St.Ann’s Church, Warrington Road, with the other service in France to be held at the same time.