A PLAQUE has been unveiled to commemorate 100 years since the first bomb fell on Colchester in the First World War.

It was February 21, 1915 when a lone German plane flew over Colchester and the pilot threw a bomb out of the cockpit.

It fell onto the town, and landed in the back of 41 Butt Road, completly destroying the house.

Luckily no one was injured in the bomb blast, which could be heard miles away.

On Saturday, Sir Bob Russell, Colchester’s MP, unveiled a plaque at the site of the bomb blast, exactly 100 years after it happened.

Sir Bob said it was only right to mark the occasion.

He said: "This was the first air raid on Colchester – it was completely new. It brought war straight to the civilian population, a direct enemy attack, and it is historically significant.

"I thought it was an event worthy of marking in our town's rich history."

Sir Bob commissioned and paid for the plaque himself.

It was unveiled on the side of Colchester’s police station car park, where 41 Butt Road used to be, with permission from Essex Police.

Local historian Andrew Phillips was also at the unveiling to give Sir Bob and residents an account of what happened on that night.

Sir Bob also thanked Essex Police for their co-operation, and Rosemary Jewers, of Colchester Civic Society, for making the plaque.

Sadly, it was not the only time the town suffered from wartime bombing.

During the Second World War dozens of people were killed after a bomb fell on Severalls Hospital, decimating the site and casusing mayhem.

Eight people were also killed when bombs were dropped on South Street and Essex Street and dozens of buildings were flattened when German bombers targeted St Botolphs in 1944.