a touching story . . . . .
Thanks for all those suggestions, chaps. The research is really going quite well now ! We think we have narrowed it down to a Beaufighter (as suggested above ) of 252 squadron, probable registration LZ 287.
The date was 9 Feb 1944. Pilot was Flt Lt Reginald Meyer, and his navigator was Flt Sgt Peter Grieve. Both were about 27 years old at the time they were killed in action.
Most incredible of all, though, is that I MAY (still waiting for confirmation) have identified the pilot's son, who was born in Feb 1944, literally just days after Flt Lt Meyer was killed. How sad is that ? Have written to him, will report if any more information is forthcoming from that source.
Thanks again for all suggestions.