In April 1944 Wing Commander Adrian Warburton, then 26 years old, one of the RAF's most decorated pilots for his exploits from Malta during the Second World War, disappeared on a reconnaissance flight over Germany. He was flying a US Air Force Lightning and was never heard of again - until a few days ago.

Warburton was described by his superiors as "the most valuable pilot in the RAF". His missions over enemy territory became legend. He photographed the Italian fleet at Taranto in November 1940 and the Swordfish from Illustrious crippled the enemy fleet in a daring night attack. He photographed the Italian fleet on the eve of the historic Battle of Matapan in May 1941 when the Italians suffered another crippling blow. He flew at zero feet over enemy targets across the Mediterranean and fought dramatic battles with enemy fighters.

By the time Warburton disappeared he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, the Distinguished Service Order twice and the American Distinguished Flying Cross personally by President Roosevelt.

When he vanished, there were stories that he was still alive and that he had staged his disappearance to join his girlfriend, a cabaret dancer named Christina Radcliff, at Malta.

Warburton has been the subject of various articles and books, including Warburton's War by Tony Spooner, who served in Malta with him and who died earlier this year. Now, 60 years after he vanished, human remains and the wreckage of a Lightning have been found near the town of Egling in southern Germany after extensive research by a Welsh aviation researcher, Frank Dorber, and after tests it has been concluded that these were Warburton's.

The remains will in all probability be buried with full military honours and there are some who think he should be laid to rest at the Capuchin Military Cemetery at Kalkara in the company of his fellow airmen who died in defence of Malta.