ALMOST 60 years after the Berlin Airlift, the graves of some of the young men who gave their lives in the operation have been left largely forgotten in the middle of Andover - but that is all set to change.

The airlift placed a huge burden on allied aircrew who had been tasked with keeping the citizens of Berlin supplied during the Soviet blockade of the German city in 1948-49.

Sadly some of the aircraft were lost during operations - including an Avro Lancaster which collided with trees in thick fog at Conholt Park, Upper Chute on 22 November 1948.

Six of the seven people on board were killed. Rhodesian pilot Merrick Heath, radio officer Durnford Robertson, navigator Alan Burton and Cyril Taylor are all buried under the memorial currently covered in beech litter in Andover.

Pete Coutts, whose father flew with Heath during the war, said: "My father was his rear gunner. After the air crash he carried a picture of Merrick in his wallet for the rest of his life. He visited the grave at Andover around remembrance time most years of his later life. The issue of the lonely grave needs to be raised so it at least receives basic care in future.

"This chapter of our history seems to have been completely forgotten even though it is the sixtieth anniversary."

The inscription on the memorial to the Andover four says: "They gave their lives for the cause of humanity."

Test Valley's Mayor Brian Page spent around half of his 34 years' service in the Army on tours to Germany, including three in Berlin itself between 1979 and 1982 when the wall and Checkpoint Charlie were still facts of life.

"I joined the services five years after the airlift but people still spoke about it. It was a terrible time for people in Berlin.

"I know they were all very glad of the airlift," he said.

Brian will be one of those joining the British Berlin Airlift Association, other service organisations and relatives on 22 November for a commemorative service.