A SECOND World War glider pilot has taken to the air once more today (Friday) to say a final farewell to a life-long friend and comrade.

Ian Kerr-Bonner, 94, today stepped aboard a helicopter to fly to Kent to say goodbye to his former comrade Des Page.

Following Des' death last month, former pilot Ian was determined to say goodbye in person.

But with two broken hips, the 600-mile round trip from Cresswell Quay to Kent looked to be too much for the veteran, and his family was desperate to find an alternative to driving.

And a group of former Army Air Corps pilots, plus generous well wishers - including some as far away as America - came forward to save the day.

The Gazelle Squadron is a charity established by Bruce Stuart and manned completely by volunteers.

They arrived to pick Ian up to fly him to Kent so he could pay his respects to Des.

Gazelle Squadron member Richard Mitchell, a former Air Corps helicopter pilot who now flies long haul with Virgin Atlantic, said the display Squadron was delighted to help out.

"This is what we do," he said.

"We're all volunteers, some ex-forces and some civilians, and we love looking after these aircraft and putting them to good use.

"It's a wonderful organisation."

“Dad can’t believe there’s been so much interest from people,” said Ian's daughter Fiona Elliot.

“I am so grateful for all the kind offers we have had from local pilots too.

"Taking a helicopter will cut the journey down to about three hours, and is such a fitting way for Dad to get there."

Fiona said Des and her father had an enviable bond, spanning more than seven decades, through marriage, children, career changes and personal loss.

The pair both survived the battle of Arnhem, but Ian was taken prisoner of war and condemned to undertake a three-month ‘death march’ across Germany before finding freedom.

He weighed just six stone at the end.

Meanwhile plucky Des managed to evade the enemy by swimming the Rhine.

“Looking from the outside in, as a daughter, it was a friendship that we can’t explain because of what they’ve been through - it something our generation can’t ever know," said Fiona.

“The chance to go and say goodbye to Des means so much to him, and all of us.”

“It was a privilege to know Des, he was unlike anyone else," said Ian.