Railway and history groups have joined forces to commemorate the life of Robert Smith, who served as an LNER Railway Police Constable at York station during World War Two.
London North Eastern Railway, the British Transport Police (BTP) History Group, ‘Raids Over York' heritage project, and Normandy veteran Ken Cooke, arranged a memorial and dedication service, which took place at York Cemetery yesterday (Monday 29 April), the eighty-second anniversary of his death in an air raid.
During the service, a wreath was laid at the site of a new headstone, which will be a lasting tribute to Smith, who was among ninety-four people who died in the Baedeker air raid in York in the early morning of 29 April 1942.
Luftwaffe raids targeted historic sites, and York was one of the five English cathedral cities which were attacked. Hundreds of people were injured in the raids.
On that night, eight hundred passengers had been safely evacuated from the late-running 22:15 London King's Cross to Edinburgh sleeper service when it arrived at York station, as a warning of an imminent air raid had already been given.
After the first bomb, another hit near the parcel office, and several more hit the station's buildings.
Burning roof debris set fire to the station, and the blaze was further fuelled by hundreds of gallons of paraffin in the lamp-room. Robert Smith was working in the station post room and was killed.
Another LNER worker, William Milner, also died in the raid after entering a blazing building to obtain a box of medical supplies needed to treat casualties.
A bronze plaque paying tribute to him was unveiled at York station in the 1980s, but until now, there has neem no permanent memorial to Smith.
In 2017, the BTP History Group unveiled a wooden cross for Robert on his previously unmarked grave. In 2022, on the eightieth anniversary of the air raid, LNER and Raids Over York paid tribute to the LNER workers who died. Now, LNER has facilitated a permanent headstone.
During the service, a wreath was also laid on the nearby grave of William Milner.
“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.”
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER
“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.”
Ken Cooke, Normandy veteran from York
“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.”
Nick Beilby, Raids Over York heritage project
“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.”
John Owen, BTP History Group
