V-2 rocket victims from WW2 honoured with memorial

Michael Moody (second left) said he felt "quite emotional" when the stone with his mother's name on was unveiled

A memorial stone has been unveiled to honour victims of a Nazi German V-2 rocket attack during World War Two.

On 20 January 1945, a ballistic missile hit Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, killing 21 people and injuring 27.

Michael Moody, whose mother Grace Moody died in the attack, said he was "delighted" that Hertsmere Borough Council commissioned the memorial.

He came up with the idea on the 75th anniversary of his mother's death, after visiting her grave.

21 people died on 20 January 1945 when the German V-2 rocket hit Potters Bar

“I go to Potters Bar and lay flowers on her grave every year, but this anniversary was particularly poignant," he said.

“I went past a small garden of remembrance and saw a stone commemorating prisoners of war. It occurred to me that there should be a stone to mark those who died in this rocket attack."

The V-2 rockets, which travelled at supersonic speed and gave no warning, claimed thousands of lives, particularly in and around London.

Mr Moody was only 15 months old when his mother died at the age of 28.

He said her death had “a great impact” on his family, “especially on my grandparents as she was their only daughter".

A total of 9,000 V-2 rockets were fired at England during WW2, killing thousands

Although he came up with the idea for the stone four years ago, the process was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The stone itself was also held up en route from Italy due to the Suez Canal blockage.

Mr Moody said he was very grateful to Hertsmere Borough Council for seeing the project through.

“On behalf of the families whose names are inscribed, I’d especially like to thank Morris Bright, John Graham, Ian Kershaw and Shani Coleman, who took a suggestion and made it a reality.”

Councillor Parveen Rani, portfolio holder for street scene, parks, leisure and culture, said: “The memorial is a touching tribute to those who lost their lives in this tragic local attack."

The memorial can be seen in the Prisoner of War Garden in the Mutton Lane Cemetery, in Potters Par.