A PILOT who was stationed in York with the Free French Air Force during World War Two has died at the age of 90.

Remi Delaroche was born in Le Quiou, France, in 1920, and joined the air force in 1940 after leaving his country to escape the German invasion.

Ian Reed, director of the Yorkshire Air Museum, said Remi flew 28 missions and amassed more than 900 mission hours during his career.

He said: “Like many of his wartime compatriots he met and later married a York girl and Remi’s help was significant in creating the strong bonds which still remain to this day between the French Air Force, the French Veterans Association and the Yorkshire Air Museum.

“He was one of the very first Members of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Museum. Several events take place every year both in France and England to commemorate these two French Squadrons and we not only owe a great debt to people like Remi, it is also an honour to have known and worked with such a brave man.” He praised the example set by Remi.

He was posted on various bases around the world, including Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco before being transferred to the heavy bomber group 347 “Tunisie” Squadron at Elvington in October 1943.

While returning from a night bombing raid in March 1945, Remi was returning to Elvington when a German fighter plane opened fire on his Halifax bomber. Remi and the crew jumped to safety as the plane went down in flames, but the pilot who held the plane steady was killed.

A black cross now stands by the side of the Elvington Road where the German Junkers 88 caught the tip of a tree while coming in for another attack on Elvington.

Remi married Lillian Partridge, of Fulford, York, in 1946 after meeting her at a dance while stationed at Elvington.

After resigning from the air force in 1957, Remi continued to work in aeronautics at Sud Aviation and Aerospatiale, at locations around the world, and was awarded the Legion d’Honneur and the War Cross medal.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.