A WIRRAL veteran who took part in more than 30 bombing raids during the Second World War is in the running for a national award honouring brave Britons.

Ron Davies, 94, one of the last surviving World World II 'Bomber Boys' is one of four people in the Outstanding Military Bravery category of the Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons. 

He spent his late teens working on the family farm and was exempt from conscription, but signed up for the RAF volunteer reserves in 1940.

After training to be a pilot and navigator in Canada and America, Ron returned to the UK in 1944 to take up the role of bomb aimer.

He part in more than 30 bombing missions across France, Germany and Poland, bravely ignoring the severe hearing problems caused by the engine noise in case he was removed from the crew.

During one particular raid on Reims the engine and navigational instruments on Ron's plane were damaged, leaving the crew to fly blind – and at risk of being shot at by their own forces – in order to make it back to base.

After losing touch with his fellow 'Bomber Boys' for many years, Ron was finally reunited with his crew in 1998.

In 2014 he and his remaining colleagues were awarded the French Legion d’Honneur for their part in helping to liberate the country.

He wrote a book about his experiences, called From Landsman to Lancasters.

Wirral Globe:

Ron Davies is finalist in competition honouring bravest Britons

The awards were created by Global Hearing specialist Amplifon, who launched their search to find 'The Best Of British’ in memory of its founder and Second World War hero Charles Holland who was honoured for his bravery by Britain and America.

The awards recognise members of the public and existing and ex-military personnel who have shown - like Charles Holland – remarkable acts of courage, bravery and incredible selflessness, showing them to be 'The Best Of British'.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Churchill War Rooms in London tomorrow, Wednesday August 24.

A panel of judges will also choose an overall Hero from the category winners who will win a trip to Italy..

Falklands veteran Simon Weston led the judging panel and said: "I was honoured to be asked to be one of the judges for the Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons because all the finalists had truly remarkable stories.

"It was a very tough decision.

The former Welsh Guardsman who sustained life-changing injuries when the ship Sir Galahad was destroyed in Bluff Cove on the Falkland Islands in 1982 continued: "When I read Mr Davies' story it was truly touching. They've showed a great deal of courage and selflessness.

"It's wonderful to see the unsung heroes in our midst – the truly remarkable people who are an inspiration to us all — finally given the recognition they deserve."

Charles Holland’s daughter, Ms Susan Holland, said: "As a family we have always been so proud of the bravery and courage shown by my father during the Second World War and The Charles Holland Awards for Brave Britons are a touching tribute to his heroism.

"Now we would like other families to feel the same sense of pride in either their own family members, friends or pets who they can nominate to win one of the four awards.

"These awards shine a light on lots of people who, by their remarkable courage, are an inspiration to others."