York hero Arthur Eckersley's name has finally been added to a memorial in the city, nearly 60 years after he gave his life in the Second World War.

His daughter Ann made an emotional trip to the memorial in Acomb Green, York, to lay flowers in memory of her father who died when she was just a baby.

For years, Ann and her late mother Bthiah, of Leeman Road, had no idea how Arthur had died.

It was not until 1954 that Bthiah received a telegram saying Arthur was missing in action. She died two years later with only a box of medals to remember him by.

But last year, as reported in the Evening Press, research by Ann's daughter Jackie revealed Arthur had been one of a battalion of soldiers who made a last stand defending a

French village against advancing German tanks, just before Dunkirk.Since then, Ann's only wish was to have her father's name added to a war memorial in York.

Now, thanks to army officers at Imphal Barracks, York, that wish has been granted.

Major David Robertson and Major General Dair Farrar-Hockley, head of the Army's Second Division, arranged to pay for the inscription which was carried out by City of York Council.

Half of the cost came from Arthur's regiment, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

They then invited her down from her home in Scotland to visit the memorial.Ann said: "I broke down as soon as I saw Dad's name on it - it is on its own on a panel at the bottom and it just seemed so special."

They visited the memorial with Ann's husband, John, her daughters Fiona and Jackie and grandchildren Liam, Sophie and Callum, cousins Ian Burks and Irene Lacey, and childhood friend Mary Rothery and her husband Jim.

Major General Farrar-Hockley said it had been an honour to be able to bring about a fitting and permanent tribute to Arthur Eckersley.

He said it was particularly appropriate as the 1st Battalion of The Royal Welsh Fusiliers was part of the army's Second Division in 1940.

Since finding out about her father's heroism, Ann has also visited the village of Saint-Venant where he died and where his battalion is remembered on a memorial. She discovered that he was one of the last men to die in the four days that the men spent defending the bridge.

Two of his fellow soldiers were Desmond Llewellyn, who played Q in the James Bond films, and John Prescott MP's father, John.

see COMMENT 'Arthur rewarded'

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