Edward E. Leighty, from Baltimore, Maryland, was born on July 17, 1916. He served in the 709th Bomber Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, Heavy, based at Rattlesden, England, as a Staff Sergeant and Left Waist Gunner on the B-17 #42-30009 “Feather Merchant.” SSgt Eddie Leighty flew 30 missions, and in one mission, returned with only one of the four engines working. He married a local girl (Peggy J. E. Pead) and settled in the village. Leighty was one of the guys that remained in Rattlesden after the war. He died in 2000 in Gipping & Hartismere, Essex, England, but his current burial place is unknown.