Decorated WWII gunner who served the RAF all his life

Flight Lieutenant James Bain, who died on 2 April, 2008, was a Second World War veteran who flew with Bomber Command and won the Distinguished Flying Medal.

He was born in Canada on 29 May, 1919, and moved to the south of England aged five. Before the war he worked for petroleum giant BP in the exploration department before joining up for the war effort.

He completed two full tours of operations as a wireless operator / air gunner in Hampdens and Lancasters, surviving 54 operational missions.

These were flown from Lincolnshire stations: RAF's Finningley, Waddington, Scampton and Fiskerton, with 44, 49 and 106 Squadrons.

Flt Lt Bain was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for a daylight raid in Hampdens over Brest Harbour on July 24, 1941 where he shot down an ME109 fighter. Brest was the most heavily defended target in occupied Europe at that time.

Later, in 1943, he retained as a pilot and flew Dakotas bringing home Prisoners Of War as we overran the camps. Later still he flew long-range to and from India, delivering freight and bringing home troops.

Flt Lt Bain met his wife Bettie in 1940 in Doncaster. As part of her war effort she would help out in the YMCA canteen after working in an office. It was at the canteen that the couple met when Flt Lt Bain stopped off for supper while waiting to go to RAF Finningley.

The couple married in September 1942 and had two sons, Christopher and Martyn. Christopher, himself is a retired RAF Sqn Ldr pilot. Younger son, Martyn predeceased his father by nine months.

After the war Flt Lt Bain returned to work for BP and at one stage in life was the administration manager at the BP refinery in Grangemouth. He also flew with the RAF Reserve for more than 20 years.

Mr and Mrs Bain moved to Lincoln in 1990 where Flt Lt Bain continued to play a part in RAF life. He was proud of his RAF career and was an active member of 44 Squadron Association and for many years was a committee member of the Lincoln Cadets.

After retirement he loved nothing better than playing golf and was a keen member of Torksey Golf Club.

Flt Lt Bain was survived by his wife Bettie and son, Christopher.