Second World War hero receives new headstone with Star of David after 80 years

Until last week, Jewish military veteran Harold Devon had been buried under a cross in Hanover War Cemetery

An RAF hero of the Second World War who was shot down over Germany in 1944 and buried under a cross for 80 years has finally been honoured with a new headstone showing a Star of David to reflect his Jewish identity.

Flying officer Harold. A. Devon was killed in 1944 aged 20 when the Lancaster Bomber he was on mission in was shot down during the Nuremberg raid.

Like many soldiers, war hero Harold had to hide his identity for fear of what Nazi German soldiers could do to him if he were captured and had changed his name from Devan to Devon.

The Commonwealth War Grave Commission buried Harold in the pilots section of Hanover War Cemetery under a cross but two years ago his cousin Julian Devan started to delve into his relative’s history and heroic past. He made contact with the Commonwealth War Grave Commission and last week, a new stone was erected on his grave with a Star of David.

Julian, whose father Simon was Harold’s first cousin and, said: “I became very interested in the story of Harold – WWII interests me and the Jewish soldiers who fought from all countries. In turn I contacted AJEX [Jewish military association] and Martin Sugarman who was fantastic and helped me make contact with the Commonwealth War Graves. They investigated Harold and agreed that his stone should be taken down and a new stone erected on his grave with the Jewish star.”

Before every mission, Harold would visit Julian’s father and family and give him a sixpence. “My dad and everyone else knew that he was going on a bombing mission.

“In 1944, my dad’s cousin visited the family once again and gave my dad the sixpence – this was the night of the Nuremberg Raid.”

Harold’s new stone was paid for by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission in honour of his memory.

Julian added: “He is now buried in a grave signifying that he was a WWII flying officer, with a Jewish emblem, in between two other airman from the same mission with a cross on their stone.

“It’s fascinating. I want to go to the cemetery and say a prayer and place a stone – unfortunately my father is too ill to travel – so this is my next mission.”