Relatives were united for the first time at the unveiling of a memorial honouring civilians killed by bombs in Isleworth during the Second World War .

A commemorative stone bearing the names of 55 civilians was officially unveiled on Isleworth Green, in North Street, on Saturday (August 9).

The families of several of those honoured on the memorial travelled from as far away as Hull for the moving ceremony.

Among them was Iris Casselden Farndale, whose grandparents James and Rebecca Flitton were killed when a bomb fell on North Street, where they lived, in 1943.

Not only did she discover on the day that the memorial had been made by stonemason Chris Lodge, the godfather to two of her grandchildren, she also met a cousin she never knew existed.

"Geoff Moody found me and explained we're cousins. We now know he lives in Eastbourne, and we’re planning to meet again," she said.

"The service was fabulous and being there brought back so many memories."

Ms Farndale, who grew up in Whitton and now lives in Hull, travelled down with her daughter and granddaughter, and was joined by her two sisters, Phyllis, who lives in Whitton, and Shirley, of Putney.

Remarkably, she said her aunt Ivy Lambert, who was in bed upstairs when the bomb landed, had survived despite crashing to the ground along with the roof.

"It's amazing she survived but she was removing bits of glass from her body for years after the bombing," added Ms Farndale, now 82, who had only been evacuated to Cheshire shortly before her grandparents were killed.

Councillor Sue Sampson and Mr John Roach unveil a war memorial on Isleworth Green

Local studies librarian Ann Greene, who compiled the list of bombing victims and researched their histories, before tracking down their families, said: "The fact someone discovered on the day they've got a new cousin shows how close the community was in those days."

She is now putting together a book of remembrance, with a page dedicated to each of those listed in the memorial stone, and photos of their graves.

It will include details of the four members of the Hornblow family from three generations who were killed in two separate bombings.

Isleworth was targeted largely due to its proximity to the Thames, which was used to transport munitions during the war and also acted as a guiding beacon to German pilots during blackouts.

Councillor Sue Sampson, who unveiled the memorial alongside local resident John Roach, said some of those assembled were moved to tears as the ceremony brought memories flooding back.

"There was a very good turnout and the family members I spoke to had met as young children, so there was lots of reminiscing," said Ms Sampson.

"They thought about things they hadn't thought about for years and there were some people in tears."

Saturday’s ceremony was led by Padre Andy Harding, of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who are based up the road at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks. It was supported by Isleworth Royal British Legion.

A plaque lists the names of those killed by bombs which fell on Isleworth during the Second World War
White doves are released at the unveiling of a war memorial on Isleworth Green
Private Jamie Busby at the unveiling of a war memorial on Isleworth Green
Padre Andy Harding at the unveiling of a war memorial on Isleworth Green