Military records show Kenneth Burchard to be the son of John and Annie Burchard of Hastings. Mr Wrightson had made some enquiries as to whether there were any relatives still around the district but had not come up with anything so far.
Flight Sergeant Burchard was only 20 years old when he died on May 21 in 1943.
Dr Wrightson said he was astonished to come across the grave plaque of a young man from his own home town, as there were more than 900 grave site plaques in the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Chittagong, which he described as a "chaotic port city" with a population of six million. Flight Sergeant Burchard's was one of only two grave sites of New Zealanders there.
Dr Wrightson has been working in the field of international aid for more than 20 years, having earlier done stints in Africa, and said the work as part of the programmes committee for the mission was rewarding. It provides assistance to leprosy-affected individuals and families through health care and education, as well as working to reduce the stigma and discrimination victims of the disease are faced with.
Dr Wrightson said it was during one weekend where he was able to "escape for a few moments of precious tranquillity" that he came across the site.
"One of my Bengali colleagues said he would take me to see the cemetery," he said, adding he was not sure why he would want to take him to such a place until he realised it was a Commonwealth War Cemetery.
"Until that time I did not know there was one there."
Most of the graves were those of troops from the UK, Canada and Australia, although he was startled to come across several from Africa, including members of the East African King's Rifles from Nigeria. "When I asked the elderly heavily-bearded caretaker whether there were any New Zealanders there he said "yes, there are two."
The first one he was taken to was that of Flight Sergeant Burchard. Dr Wrightson then checked the name directory and saw he was from Hastings. "It was quite a moment."
He said like all Commonwealth War Cemeteries the one near Chittagong was beautifully kept. "He rests in a lovely small corner of tranquillity, within a city which is absolutely seething with energy."
With several more visits to Bangladesh planned as part of his aid work over the next few years, he said he would happily place a flower there for the young pilot's relatives.