Mayor of Newark Tony Roberts and Friends Of Newark Cemetery lead 78th anniversary of Ransome and Marles bombing

Tributes were paid by family members of the 41 Newark residents who lost their lives during a bomb attack in World War II.

On March 7, 1941, a heinkel bomber attacked Ransome and Marles' headquarters ­— 41 were killed and a further 165 were left injured.

For the first time, the service was held at the Newark cemetery chapel, London Road.

The memorial was opened by year six students, aged ten to 11, of William Gladstone Primary School, who read the names of those who lost their lives.

Mayor of Newark Mr Tony Roberts led the commemorations alongside Friends Of Newark Cemetery and he said it was a special day in the town's history.

"We had sent out brave men and women to fight on foreign shores and we were only too aware of the part played in this area," said Mr Roberts.

"On this particular day, the war came to Newark with a terrible vengeance with the death of 41 citizens together with 165 injured, who were doing there bit producing bearing that helped to keep our war machines moving on land and sea and air."

The air raid began at 1.40pm, in two phases. The first saw four bombs dropped, two of which hit the work, while a further two were dropped on the aircrafts second run.

An hour after the attack, and when ambulances had rejoined the roads, a further five bombs were dropped.

One exploded, and caused injuries and damages to those who helped the wounded.

"It is right and proper that we remember and commemorate this awful day," said Mr Roberts.

"Here were folk going about their business completely unaware of the disaster that they were about to endure.

"They were not members of our armed forces, who knowingly went into battle situations expecting causalities.

"These were innocent men and women who were playing their part in the war effort for the defence of this nation.

"They were in quiet, peaceful, rural Newark."

Following the service, Friends Of Newark Cemetery handed wooden crosses to the children.

Mr Robert Roe, a member of the group, said it was important for children to go home with memorabilia and knowledge of the attack.

The event came to an end as children left their crosses on the gravestones of those who lost their lives.