They were ordinary people in Bristol trying to get on with their lives during the dark days of World War II.

But as the greater Bristol area was targeted by the Luftwaffe, more than 1,300 men, women and children were killed in bombing raids that brought tragedy to so many families.

Now, after a tireless campaign by retired aircraft worker Keith Jones, the names of every single one of those who died in the Bristol Blitz have gone on public display for the first time.

A memorial bearing the names engraved on bronze plaques was unveiled at a moving ceremony at the bombed ruins of St Peter's Church in Castle Park.

For Mr Jones it was the culmination of a three-year effort to ensure no one killed on the home front was forgotten, including his own father and brother.

And for the relatives and friends of other victims of the Blitz, there was gratitude to Mr Jones that his campaign had provided them with a point of remembrance.

About 200 people attended the event, each with their own story to tell. They included Bristol's Lord Mayor Chris Davies, who performed the unveiling and laid a wreath at the memorial, where flowers were also left by the victims' relatives.

He told how his own mother had survived after being caught up in the bombing and said it was important for everyone who lost their lives to be remembered.

Councillor Davies said: "There were thousands of ordinary citizens who fought their own war at home during a terrible time and these plaques are well overdue. I'm proud to lay this wreath to the 1,300 people who died."

Mr Jones, 75, of Cleeve Park Road, Downend, said: "This has been very emotional for me. We've had a brilliant turn-out and I want to thank everyone who has helped in this campaign."

He said historian John Penny had spent years collecting the names, which are held in a book in St Stephen's Church in the city. He also highlighted the generous gift made by an anonymous donor through the Evening Post to cover the £3,000 cost of the memorial.

Mr Jones said: "I'm so pleased to see this memorial completed. I shall now be pressing for a short video to be included in the new Museum of Bristol so visitors – and especially children – will discover what happened in Bristol during the war."

The anonymous benefactor who funded the memorial said he was proud to have been able to support Mr Jones's campaign.

He said: "I feel privileged to have been able to help. Mr Jones has put in a tremendous amount of work and he is to be congratulated. The people of Bristol and the surrounding area can be very proud of him for the recognition now given to the people who lost their lives.

"St Peter's Church is a wonderful memorial itself and I got involved because it was an important campaign."

After the ceremony, Mr Penny gave a presentation at Broadmead Baptist Church, showing pictures of Bristol's devastated streets after the many raids.

He said about 1,240 people died and 2,900 were injured as a result of Luftwaffe attacks on the city and county of Bristol, while a serious loss of life also took place around the two important local aircraft manufacturing plants, with 135 killed and 335 injured at Filton, while 57 were killed and 175 injured at Yate.

He said: "But numbers mean very little as each was a tragedy for friends and families. The people of Bristol paid a terrible price."

The memorial also pays tribute to those who risked their lives during raids, such as fire fighters, air raid wardens and the police.

Engraved on the plaque, made by Brian Galsworthy, are the words: "They live in the memory of the living".

As Mr Penny's presentation came to a close, with the haunting sound of an air raid siren sounding the all-clear, those memories for many were just too much and many tears were shed.

For more Bristol memories, see our online version of Bristol times at: www.thisisbristol.co.uk/bristoltimes