Memorial for policeman killed in WWII air raid

Normandy veteran Ken Cooke laid a wreath on the new headstone for Robert Smith, who died in the Baedeker air raid on York in 1942

A police officer killed during an air raid on York during World War Two has been commemorated with a special memorial headstone more than 80 years since his death.

Robert Smith was one of 94 people killed during the Baedeker air raid on the city on 29 April 1942.

His grave in York Cemetery had been unmarked and unkept

Ken Cooke, a Normandy veteran, who was involved in the campaign for a memorial to Mr Smith, said: "A headstone to Robert Smith makes sure that he will never be forgotten."

'Courage and bravery'

York was one of four cathedral cities bombed after the Luftwaffe, angered by RAF attacks on the German city of Lubeck a month before, used a Baedeker guidebook to select historic targets in England.

Advance warning had been given of an imminent attack and as the late running 22:15 rail service from London King's Cross to Edinburgh pulled into York station, all 800 hundred passengers were evacuated just as the first bomb fell.

However, more bombs were dropped on the station buildings and debris from the roof soon caught fire.

Robert Smith, a railway policeman, and his colleague William Milner, station foreman, were both killed.

Mr Smith's family had been unable to afford a headstone at the time of his death

While Mr Smith was married and had been a father to three children - although two died at a young age - it seems the family were unable to afford a headstone at the time of his death.

In 2017, the British Transport Police History Group unveiled a wooden cross for Mr Smith at the site of his grave.

Since then, the history group have joined forces with LNER, Raids Over York heritage project and Normandy veteran Mr Cooke to arrange the permanent memorial stone, which was unveiled in a special dedication service.

During the service, a wreath was also laid on the grave of William Milner, who is buried close by.

The ceremony took place on the 82nd anniversary of Mr Smith's death

John Shaw, chairman of Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society, said: "It’s crucial Robert now has a headstone as with a name like Smith it’s a nightmare for a genealogist and he just became anonymous."

David Horne, at LNER, added: “To see Robert Smith’s railway family come together for his memorial service ensures that we will never forget his immense courage and bravery."