Airman's name is added to Bilston Cenotaph

Pilot Officer Gerald John Woolley served with 73rd Squadron RAF Volunteer Reserve while it was based in Libya during the desert conflict in North Africa. He lost his life on June 17, 1942.

Although it is not officially known how he died it is believed from second-hand reports that he was shot down while bravely trying to protect a downed colleague who was under attack by enemy forces.

The news of Mr Woolley's death hit his mother Elsie so hard that she remained bed ridden for the rest of her life. Mr Woolley had also been engaged to be married before setting off but broke off the arrangement after fearing he may never come back.

Ken White, aged 81, of Miller Court, Tettenhall, has campaigned for more than 30 years to get Mr Woolley's name on the memorial, in Lichfield Street, after finding his name by chance on a list of 25,000 dead servicemen at the RAF's Runnymede memorial in Surrey.

Mr White, who knew the pilot as a child, said: "Gerry loved to go fast. I remember hearing tales of him doing loop-the-loops in his plane over the town hall, he was never court marshalled though."

Mr White contacted Eric Woolley, who is no relation to the deceased pilot but is chairman of the Bilston branch of the Royal British Legion. Mr Woolley, aged 79, said: "I was delighted to help because it is important that all those from this area who lost their lives while fighting for this country are properly remembered."

Mr Woolley raised the issue with the Royal British Legion branch which passed on details to Wolverhampton City Council. He explained: "The local authority have responsibility for the Cenotaph and have been very supportive." Just months after the issue was raised a plaque commemorating the sacrifice of Pilot Officer Woolley was added to the names of other heroes on the wall alongside the Cenotaph. It was officially dedicated by Rev

David Wills, the Vicar of neighbouring St Leonard's Church, during the ceremony on Remembrance Sunday. Mr Woolley, who served with the Royal Artillery in Cyprus and Egypt, said: Mr Woolley continued: ""From what I have been told Gerald was a hero. By coincidence he had lived around half a mile from me in Moseley Road, Bilston although I did not know him personally since I was very young at the time. It was a great achievement for a man from a working class background to become a Pilot Officer and from what I have heard he died a hero."

Mr Woolley and White were joined by John Beesley, Wolverhampton Councils Historic Environment and Urban Design Officer, Peter Murphy from the Royal British Legion as the dedication was given by Rev Wills.