The family of a war hero finally have a special place to remember him after his name was added to the Luton memorial.

Rifleman William Alfred Steddy, who grew up in Luton, was killed in action in France during the Second World War.

Since then his family, who still live in Chatham, had to visit the Bayeux Memorial at Calvados, France, to pay their respects to him.

Rfn Steddy, who served with the Rifle Brigade, died on the battlefield on June 29, 1944. He was married to Elizabeth Steddy, nee Dallas and their two children, William and Maureen, were just two-and-a-half and eight months old at the time.

The family lived in Salisbury Road and later moved to Luton Road.

William and Maureen read an appeal in the Medway Messenger from Don Phillips, leader of the Friends of Luton Memorial Meadow, who was looking for Rfn Steddy's family to confirm he was born in Luton and was living there at the time of his death.

William, 70, said: "We saw the appeal in the paper and rang Don to confirm our dad was from Luton. It was a nice thing to happen to us after all these years. We've visited France to see dad's name on the memorial there, but now we have somewhere we can go in Luton.

"I don't really remember my dad as I was only two-and-a-half, and Maureen was too young to remember when he died. We were later brought up by his brother Ronald as my mum married him several years after dad died."

William, Maureen and Rfn Steddy's grandson Matt went along to the memorial to watch as his name was engraved on the memorial stone.

William added: "It's been a hell of a long time since he died, but now we have somewhere to go where we can lay flowers and pay our respects. It was a proud moment for me and Maureen got a little tearful."

The friends group is also looking for volunteers to help maintain the meadow, if you can help, call Don Phillips on 01634 842499.