The date and location of a Second World War RAF veteran’s funeral have been revealed, as reports suggest his relatives have finally been tracked down after a widely publicised appeal.

The service for Flight Sergeant Peter Brown, who lived in Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, is now set to be held at St Clement Danes, the RAF Central Church, in the Strand on May 25.

The funeral was initially scheduled for March 29 at Mortlake Crematorium, but, after an appeal for mourners, organisers postponed the service as they had been inundated with attendance requests.

Alongside the appeal for mourners, Westminster Council had also asked for help tracing Sgt Brown’s relatives, after the 96-year-old died alone with no known family.

On Tuesday (April 11), The Sun reported that the family of Peter’s cousin has been tracked down in the Carribbean.

One family member told the newspaper that they hoped to travel to London to attend Sgt Brown’s funeral.

Westminster Council said that it was working with genealogists to follow up on these leads, and that space in the church would be set aside for any confirmed close friends and relatives.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We’ve been heartened by the extraordinary public interest in Mr Brown’s story.

“As more information has been unearthed by historians and researchers several people have come forward with possible connections to Peter.

“The council is working with genealogists to follow up these leads as we try to find any living relatives ahead of the funeral.

“Space in the church will be set aside for any close friends and relatives found through this search.” 

Born in Jamaica in 1926, Sgt Brown enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in September 1943.

He trained as a wireless operator/air gunner and was posted to RAF Scampton.

After the war ended he re-enlisted in the RAF, working as a signaller.

An RAF spokesperson said that we should “never forget” the sacrifices made by RAF personnel like Flt Sgt Brown.

They added: “Flight Sergeant Brown is an example of the selfless contribution of all Commonwealth personnel who have served throughout the RAF’s history.

“We should never forget their sacrifices which have defended our freedom and kept us safe.”