HIS smile and thumbs up were an important part of the war effort - and he was almost as famous as Vera Lynn.

Pontypool's Kenneth Price had one of the most famous faces during the Second World War, urging people across war-time Britain to back our airmen in the battle against the Nazis.

The young airman was used to boost morale, recruit for the RAF and urge women to join the WAAF (Women's Auxi-liary Air Force).

The posters were printed in their thousands and distributed throughout the land, exhorting men and women to back the war effort by joining 'the men who fly'.

A report in our sister paper, the Free Press, published in 1942 told of his fame. It said: "The young man to whom fell the honour of typifying our gallant young fighting airmen is A/C Kenneth Price, 21-year-old son of Mr Ralph Price of 49, Osborne Road, a collier employed at Llanerch Colliery and Mrs Clare Price. He is in training as a wireless operator-air gunner and has been in the service for nearly 18 months.

"When he and several other aircraftsmen were asked to pose for their photographs they had no idea of the purpose to which the chosen picture was to be put."

His heroic picture appeared on four Air Ministry posters. Air-man Price, wearing full flying kit, typified Britain's wartime spirit with a confident thumbs-up.

Kenneth Price was promoted flight-serg-eant in 1944 and warrant officer the following year. He had a brother and sister, Dennis and Doreen and was a pupil at George Street and Twmpath schools before working at Pilkingtons Glass-works before he joined up in 1940. He died, aged 65, in South Africa, leaving a wife, Frances.

If anyone remembers him and has any pictures of him, call us on 01633 77219.