Plaque honours bank robbery hero

Robert Taylor was 29 when he was shot trying to stop bank robbers

A man who was shot as he attempted to stop two bank robbers 55 years ago has been honoured with a blue plaque.

Robert Taylor was 29 when he was gunned down by the raiders as they fled Lloyds Bank in Westbury Park, Bristol.

He was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his heroism. The robbers, who were both Polish labourers, were later caught and hanged at Winchester Prison.

The blue plaque was unveiled at Mr Taylor's former home - 24 Victoria Park, Fishponds - on Monday.

'Truly heroic'

Up to 30 local people who knew him and representatives from Lloyds Bank attended the ceremony.

Emma Lowden, manager of Lloyds' Westbury-on-Trym branch said: "By all accounts, Robert Taylor's selfless act was truly heroic. Robert was just a bystander when the armed robbery happened.

"As a former Second World War soldier, he no doubt felt it was his civic duty to try and stop them. Sadly he was gunned down by of the raiders, and died instantly."

Councillor Christopher Orlik, added: "The blue plaque for Robert Taylor will be the 40th one since the council started asking people to suggest names four years ago and is a good example of what we are trying to do.

"It is not just about famous actors like Michael Redgrave, or politicians like Ernest Bevin but ordinary folk who have done something memorable."