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City honour for heroic former journalist

A former journalist who was awarded the George Cross for heroism is to be honoured with a commemorative plaque at the home where he lived.

Bob Taylor, a reporter at the former Bristol Evening World, was killed when he was shot in the face tackling an armed bank robber in 1950.

An English Heritage blue plaque will soon be unveiled at his former home in Fishponds, where he lived with his parents.

Bob was one of several bystanders who began chasing two raiders as they came out of Lloyds Bank in the Westbury Park area on March 13, 1950.

He managed to grab the robber who was carrying the gun, but the weapon was thrust back towards him and fired in his face.

He died instantly, aged just 29, and the George Cross was awarded posthumously.

The blue plaque has been arranged by retired clergyman Jack House, who saw the medal in an exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, and thought Bob should be honoured in his own city.

It is expected to be unveiled in March.

  • The Evening World was launched in 1929 and closed in 1962 when it merged with the Bristol Evening Post.