STAFF and students from Millthorpe School have produced a plaque to commemorate the centenary of the Zeppelin raid in York.

The plaque, unveiled by local councillor Julie Gunnell, lists the nine people killed in the raid by the German airship during the First World War on May 2, 1916.

Eighteen bombs were dropped on York, the Yorkshire Herald reported, causing terrifying destruction in the Nunthorpe Lane/ Upper Price Street area, in Bishophill, and in Hungate.

Around 40 people were injured in the attack, the shock of which still reverberates to this day.

Cllr Gunnell said: “It’s really important to mark such significant events, which still have a resonance and interest today. This is very much part of the story of this community.

“I met a former resident just last week who was celebrating her 100th birthday, so she would have been a new-born baby when the bombs were dropped.” Head of history at Millthorpe School, Sara Bowland, commissioned the plaque to coincide with a project to teach students about the experience of York residents during the First World War.

“For our students, it’s very powerful to see such a tangible link with a major historical event like the First World War,” she said.

“Because it happened right here at the school, it helps to make it very real for them, not just a page in a text book.

“It’s also important to reflect that, although this was a tragedy, good came out of it as well: the community rallied round to take in people who had been made homeless and raise money to help survivors.

“We have been in touch with relatives of many of the casualties and we’re particularly pleased that now we have been able to include the names of everyone who lost their life on that fateful night, as the previous plaque listed several unknown victims.”