Canterbury plaque to mark civilian WW2 deaths

A new plaque remembering civilians in Canterbury who were killed in World War Two has been installed in the city's cemetery.

About 50 people who died in two major raids targeting the city's cathedral in 1942 are buried alongside each other at the cemetery.

Their graves were discovered by Canterbury Historical Association chairman Julian Waltho, who traced the names using local archives.

A short service of remembrance will be held on Sunday when the names of all of those who died will be read out.

Mr Waltho said the timing of that second raid contributed to the large loss of life.

He explained: "It took place around tea time, and the city was still quite busy with buses running and the barrage balloons had been taken down."

The aircraft were "able to fly low over the city which was caught unprepared for what unfolded", he added.

According to Mr Waltho, the discovery of the graves during a general tour was "really significant".

"Although the cemetery is really well kept there was no recognition of who the graves belonged to and there are 50 so it's a significant area," he said.

Two days before Canterbury was bombed much of the medieval city of Cologne, Germany, was destroyed by British bombers.

The attack on Canterbury was reported in the German media as revenge for Cologne.

Efforts to install the new plaque have been supported by Canterbury City Council and the Canterbury Commemoration Society.

Surviving relatives of those buried at the cemetery are invited to Sunday's service, which is due to start at 14:00 BST.

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