TWO of the town's bravest brothers will be honoured when the Swindon Heritage Team unveils not one but two commemorative blue plaques in the heart of the town.

Harold and Norman ‘John’ Starr were born in the Central Hotel, Regent Street, which was replaced with a cinema in the 1930s and today the Art Deco building houses the popular Weatherspoon’s pub, The Savoy.

As soon as the pub chain was approached about the idea of having blue plaques outside they immediately said yes and have been assisting with logistics ever since. The unveiling will take place from 3pm on Thursday, September 8.

Squadron Leader Harold Starr was bailed out of his burning Hurricane during the Battle of Britain in 1940 but was gunned to death aged 25 by a Messerschmitt as he floated down to earth in his parachute.

His wife was carrying their unborn child. He is buried in Radnor St Cemetery in Swindon in a Commonwealth War Grave.

While Wing Commander Norman John Starr DFC and BAR was shot down and killed aged 27 whilst piloting an Avro Anson over Dunkirk in 1945. He was flying back to England to get married to his sweetheart the following day but he never made it back.

He is buried along with his three crew members in Dunkirk Town Cemetery in a Commonwealth War Grave.

As featured in the Swindon Heritage Magazine, these will be the second and third of their ongoing blue plaque scheme. Their first plaque unveiled was earlier this year in North Street, Old Town and is dedicated to Swindon born suffragette, Edith New.

Funding for the heroic pilots’ plaques was made possible by donations from the public and Starr family members via an online fundraising campaign.