THE puzzle of a pilot killed 69 years ago has finally been laid to rest.

Torquay Royal British Legion secretary Ena Pethick turned supersleuth to find out why New Zealand pilot officer W. Stuart Beattie was buried miles from home with full military honours at St Marychurch in December, 1941.

Now his family and friends will reunite for a memorial service tomorrow.

It is to fulfil a wish of the New Zealand government that all the graves of their fallen service personnel should be marked with a flax cross.

Ena has spent months uncovering a story of a friendship that spanned many miles and generations.

She explained that the Beattie family had forged links with the Matthews family in St Marychurch when wounded soldier Jack Beattie was convalescing in Torquay during the First World War.

A decade later, his nephew Stuart was undertaking air force training in England during the Second World War and would spend his leave with the Matthews family.

Stuart was killed in a plane crash over England on December 22, 1941.

Ena explained: "The Matthews family offered to organise his funeral and burial at St Marychurch.

"It was so that Stuart would be among friends in a strange land."

Members of the Beattie family have travelled from New Zealand for tomorrow's service.

Stuart's nephew, also called Stuart, will place the cross at his uncle's grave.

Members of the Matthews family are also attending.

Ena said: "It will be a lovely occasion where members of the family will meet, some for the first time and, hopefully, bonds can be made.

"It is a wonderful story that shows the things that people do for each other in times of war."

The service will be held in the churchyard of St Marychurch at 2.30pm.

Royal British Legion county and Torquay branch representatives, RAF associated ex services and 200 Sqdn (Torquay) ATC will be attending and taking part with their standards.

The Rev Haydn Jones, retired assistant chaplain general to Land Forces and chaplain of Torquay Legion, will conduct the service.