On June 21, 1943, the 21-year-old RAAF Flying Officer managed to wrestle with his stricken bomber away from the village of Achel after a dogfight with a German aircraft sent the plane plummeting to earth.

Mr Meiklejohn and his New Zealand navigator Charles Redwood died in the crash, while five of the seven crew abandoned the plane mid-air under Meiklejohn’s orders. 

Songwriter Scott Cochrane, who immortalised the heroism in a ballad last year, plans to attend the 75^th anniversary ceremony in Belgium and has asked if he can formally represent Wagga at the event.

Council staff have recommended Mr Cochrane be allowed to carry out any formal requirements on behalf of the city.