An RAF navigator has died before he was able to receive the Second World War honour his family had been campaigning for.

Gordon Mansbridge, of Kings Road, South Harrow, died aged 90 on Wednesday April 9 after suffering from terminal cancer.

He was denied a Bomber Commander Clasp, introduced in February 2013 and worn over the 1939 to 1945 Star campaign medal, because he did not fly from British bases under Bomber Command but rather took part in bombing raids from North African and Italian bases under the Central Mediterranean Forces command.

His son Adrian has spent the last two years fighting for the eligibility criteria to widened so Mr Mansbridge and his colleagues could be honoured.

The matter is being independently reviewed by Sir John Holmes - who suggested the clasp in 2012 as part of his military medals review - and Mr Mansbridge’s case was raised in Parliament last month by Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas (Labour), who cited the urgency of a decision due to the war veteran’s failing health.

Son Adrian said: “I will keep fighting, because it is not just my father.

“There are others and they all deserve it.

“My father flew 33 missions for the RAF and I can't believe they take so long to review something like this when time is against them.”

Gordon Mansbridge had lived in Harrow since 1950 with his wife Sylvia, 92, who survives him.

He was born and bred in Streatham, south London, until he was evacuated to Somerset when the war broke out.

In 1941 he decided to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a navigator and shortly after he met what was to be his future wife at a dance.

They were engaged in February 1942 but did not marry until his return from war in 1945.

During that period, Gordon completed 32 successful bombing missions and on his 33rd he was shot down and evaded capture in Italy for nine months.

On leaving the RAF he became an engineer, and had two sons, Clive and Adrian, who both attended what was previously known as Roxeth Manor Secondary School in Eastcote Lane, South Harrow.

Adrian, 57, a chartered accountant from Northwood, said: “My dad loved to cycle and my mum told me once that he cycled from London to Scotland. It’s incredible.

“I got on really well with my father. He was quiet and laid back but very witty and amicable. He was very clever too and he loved to build things.

“When I went off to Manchester University he built me some cupboards, and I know that he wired the whole house.

“He was a Do-It-Yourself expert. He always did our plumbing too and loved making things.

“My parents always loved Harrow. They loved the good transport link into London, they used to enjoy going to the museums together and the cinema and I think one of their favourite parks was West Harrow Park.”

The Mansbridge family went on to celebrate Sylvia and Gordon’s 69th wedding anniversary on Wednesday last week, one week after Gordon’s death.

Mr Thomas said: “I am very sorry to hear that Mr Mansbridge has passed away and I offer my sincere condolences to his family.

“Mr Mansbridge served his country bravely in the Second World War and it is a great shame that after so many years his actions, like so many of his comrades, have not yet been formally recognised in the form of a medal.

“I will continue to put pressure on the government to speed up their review process, but in the meantime I hope Mr Mansbridge’s family can take some comfort from the support which many residents in Harrow and beyond have shown Mr Mansbridge since hearing his story.”

The Bomber Command Clasp to the 1939-45 Star is granted to the aircrew of Bomber Command who served for at least 60 days, or completed a tour of operations, on a Bomber Command operational unit and flew at least one operational sortie on a Bomber Command operational unit between September 3 1939 and May 8, 1945 inclusive.

Gordon Mansbridge’s funeral will take place on Thursday, April 29, from 1pm at Northwood Methodist Church in Oaklands Gate, Northwood.