A Polish World War II fighter pilot buried in a Suffolk cemetery is to be honoured with an RAF flypast on Thursday.

Jan Rogowski fought in the Battle of Britain while a pilot for the Free Polish Airforce, and was decorated with his country's equivalent of the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

He died in a Suffolk nursing home in 1997 - and was buried in an unmarked grave as no relatives could be traced in the UK.

His heroic wartime past came to light only when a medal collector tracked down memorabilia relating to Mr Rugowski in an Ipswich pub.

Mr Rogowski was 'a bit of a recluse'

On Thursday, a black marble headstone donated by a Felixstowe stonemason will be unveiled.

Shortly after 1400, there will be a flypast from RAF Coltishall in Norfolk.

The graveside ceremony at New Lawn cemetery in Ipswich will be attended by representatives of the Polish embassy and the Polish airforce.

The mayor of Ipswich will be present, as will friends of Mr Rogowski and members of the Aircrew Association, who have organised the memorial.

Association chairman Ralph Rutherford said Mr Rogowski had settled in Ipswich shortly after World War II.

He lived in Suffolk until his death in a Stowmarket nursing home at the age of 79.

War hero

He left his medals - both Polish and British - to a friend who ran a Suffolk pub.

They were traced by medal collector Mike Epsom - who alerted the Aircrew Association.

"It seems he was a bit of a recluse," said Mr Rutherford.

"But he came to Britain at a time of our need and was prepared to give his life.

"The least we can do is give him a headstone."