A WREATH has been laid in a West Dorset church in memory of a brave young airman who whose plane was shot down over France 72 years ago.

Vivian Gunning, who was born in Beaminster and lived in Barnfield, Walditch, died when he was just 19, as a sergeant observer on a Blenheim bomber brought down during an attack against enemy columns at Le Bourget. The wreath was placed at St Mary’s Church, Walditch, by Sue Scott and her husband Tony, from Beaminster, on behalf of relative Tom Payne, a cousin of Vivian, who now lives in Hemel Hempstead, but who was unable to make the trip to Dorset.

Vivian was the son of Frank and Florrie Gunning and after leaving Bridport Grammar School he worked at the local electricity company showrooms before he enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve in January 1939.

Tom says that Vivian had no illusions about his future.

He wrote to a schoolfriend: “We have achieved the seemingly impossible and got messed up in a war.

“It looks like me for Valhalla!

“You see, we bomber crews are quite aware of the fact and are quite resigned to it.

“It’s only a matter of weeks before we all get pipped.”

Mrs Scott said they were pleased to be able to place the wreath in the church where Vivian had lived.

“He was so young. It was very moving,” she said.