A WORLD War II pilot from Wellington has been honoured in the House of Commons.

Flying Officer Eric Durston, who flew solo reconnaissance missions, capturing images critical to allied planning, was killed over the Netherlands in 1942.

MP for Taunton and Wellington, Gideon Amos spoke at a recent House of Commons debate held ahead of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, recognising local residents, such as Officer Durston, who served in the Pacific campaign and in Asia during the Second World War.

The Liberal Democrat MP spoke specifically of the contribution made by the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) “whose courage and skill gathered intelligence, shortened conflicts and saved lives”.

Among those, Mr Amos highlighted three Somerset men including Officer Durston, and Flying Officer Theo Priddle and Eric Hill, who “flew Mosquitos across the Arctic”, both from Taunton.

On Mr Hill, the MP added: “One such mission, to photograph Tirpitz, was over 3,000 miles and lasted more than ten hours. It is thought to be the longest reconnaissance operation of the entire war."

"He survived and went on to fulfil the dream of playing, and later commentating on, cricket for Somerset. He is commemorated in the press box at the County Ground a few hundred yards from my own home.

Mr Amos added: “These stories remind us that everyday folk get caught up in war and do extraordinarily courageous things.

“We owe it to those who serve to stand with veterans, to remember them and their sacrifice.”

A site for a permanent memorial to the pilots and photo interpreters - outside the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall - has been secured in principle with the planning and design stages getting under way.

The 80th anniversary of VJ Day will be held on Friday, August 15.