The New Zealand pilot who tried to save crewmates from Luftwaffe attacks after Second World War air raid warning in Hull

Lockyer managed to evade the first three Luftwaffe attacks by performing a corkscrew but the final attack hit the rear and a fire broke out. Just off the coast of Withernsea, Lockyer ordered the crew to bail out – but only one of the seven survived. His Lancaster is believed to be the last Allied bomber to be shot down by the Luftwaffe over the United Kingdom during the Second World War.

Lockyer will be remembered at an Anzac Day ceremony in Harrogate this weekend, honouring the Second World War casualties from the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal New Zealand Air Force who are buried at Stonefall Cemetery in the town.

The ceremony at the cemetery has been organised by Kate Spencer who looks after the twinning between Harrogate and Wellington for Harrogate International Partnerships.

The locations have been twinned since 1953, with the New Zealand Garden that lies within Valley Gardens a tribute to those Kiwi airmen buried at Stonefall. Kate has recently been in Wellington to meet with the RNZAF who are grateful with what is now taking place at Stonefall for their fallen airmen.

“This year is special for Harrogate and Wellington who will celebrate 70 years of twinning,” Kate says.

“It was in 1953 that the New Zealand Garden in Harrogate Valley Gardens was established and the link between Harrogate and the 23 New Zealanders buried in Stonefall was recognised.

"Not only the RNZAF but Wellington City Council are enormously grateful for everything being done to honour their men in this way.”

With over 1,000 Commonwealth war graves, the cemetery is one of the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) sites in the North of England.

The majority of burials are airmen who died during the Second World War when bomber command bases were established across Yorkshire. There are 97 Royal Australian Air Force and 23 Royal New Zealand Air Force servicemen buried at the site.

The ceremony will see representation from both the Australian and New Zealand High Commission. Music will be provided by Harrogate Band and a pupil from Harrogate Grammar School will sing the New Zealand national anthem in both Maori and English.

CWGC public engagement coordinator Elizabeth Smith, says it will “give the public a chance to give thanks for those who gave their lives and now rest so far from home”. The ceremony begins at 1pm on April 23.