Permanent memorial unveiled to victims of Tipton Zeppelin raids

For the first time all 14 names have been officially recognised at the town's library thanks to the work of Derek Nicholas, a member of the Tipton Historical Society.

More than 100 visitors packed out the library on Saturday to see the memorial officially unveiled.

Tomorrow marked exactly 100 years since the huge airship dropped bombs on Tipton killing families and causing huge devastation.

Mr Nicholas, who spent three years researching the raids, said he was proud all 14 victims had finally been recognised.

"No one ever knew the names of all 14 until I found them out," he said.

"I've been working on this for three years and now we've managed to put together a list of names.

"I started researching my grandfather's history, who ran a pub near to where the bombs were dropped and it all went from there.

"Someone mentioned no one knew all the names of the victims and one thing led to another."

A second memorial was unveiled yesterday on the wall of the electrical shop, H C Pullinger, in Union Street, which was funded by the company.

A third plaque will also be unveiled outside Tipton Cemetery, where the majority of the victims were buried, on Friday at 10.30am.

Mr Nicholas said: "Eleven are definitely buried there including Norman Yates, who was eight-years-old at the time.

"If any had not been buried in Tipton it would have to have been in West Bromwich. Arthur Edwards was buried in Dudley but this plaque will be for all 14."

West Bromwich MP Adrian Bailey said it was important all those killed during the raids were remembered.

He said: "I am fascinated by local history and I love Tipton so it was important to mark the 100th anniversary.

"The raids had an incredible significance on the history of the war because these were the first ever Zeppelin bombing raids to occur in Britain.

"Not many people appreciate that today and I think perhaps some Tiptonians do not realise the horror and devastation the bombs caused."

Keith Hodgson, chairman of the Tipton Civic Society, which paid for the library plaque, said: "We had started thinking about what we could do with the 100th anniversary coming up.

"We were determined to get a lasting memorial after all of Derek's research."