A memorial and dedication service honoured the life of LNER Railway Police Constable Robert Smith, who lost his life during an air raid in 1942.
LNER, the British Transport Police (BTP) History Group, ‘Raids Over York’ heritage project, and Normandy veteran Ken Cooke joined together to commemorate the life of Robert Smith, who served at York Railway Station during World War Two.
A memorial and dedication service took place at York Cemetery on April 29, where a wreath was laid at the site of a new headstone.
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LNER organised for the new headstone to be placed on the site of Smith’s previously unmarked grave.
The police officer, along with another LNER worker William Milner, were among 94 people who lost their lives during the Baedeker air raid in York during the early hours of 29 April 1942.
York was one of five English cathedral cities bombed. Warning of an imminent air-raid attack had already been given that fateful night as the late running 22:15 London King’s Cross to Edinburgh sleeper service arrived at York station. Eight hundred passengers were safely evacuated from the train before the first bomb fell.
Another bomb followed soon after near the parcel office, together with a shower of bombs across the station buildings. Debris from the roof soon set fire to the station and was further fuelled by hundreds of gallons of paraffin in the lamp-room. Robert Smith was working in the station’s post room and was killed. William Milner also lost his life.
Until now there has never been a memorial stone for Robert, although in 2017 the BTP History Group arranged a wooden cross for Robert and his family on his resting place.
John Owen, BTP History Group, said: “Robert’s story was first uncovered when researching the Roll of Honour of fallen railway police officers. When we realised he had received very little recognition, we worked on finding out more about his life. His grave at York Cemetery had been unmarked and unkept for many years. Now there is a fitting tribute for everyone to pay their respects to a former colleague and to honour Robert’s life.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “With no family of his own having been located, to see Robert Smith’s railway family come together for his memorial service ensures that we will never forget his immense courage and bravery. There is now a lasting memorial to a dedicated LNER colleague and family man, who sacrificed his own life to save others.”
Ken Cooke, a Normandy veteran from York, said: “You must keep going as long as you can to remember the things that happened and those people who gave their lives. We must never forget, and a headstone to Robert Smith makes sure that he will never be forgotten.”
Nick Beilby, from the Raids Over York heritage project, said: “Through our work on the Raids Over York project, we were interested to discover more about Robert Smith and the role that he played on the night of 29 April 1942. For him to be recognised and memorialised is testament to his bravery and sacrifice and something of which we are immensely proud.”
During the service, a wreath was also laid on the grave of William Milner, who is buried close by.
