Reginald Earnshaw, who was born in Dewsbury, was about 15 when he died aboard the SS North Devon, but it is believed he lied about his age in order to serve his country and was actually just 14.

On Monday a headstone will be placed at Mr Earnshaw's grave, at Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh, by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The memorial is thanks in large part to the efforts of a small group of people. One of the campaigners for the stone, Alf Tubbs, served with Mr Earnshaw.

Mr Tubbs, 86, was a machine gunner on the SS North Devon when it was bombed by German aircraft en-route for Tyneside.

As some of the crew abandoned ship, Mr Tubbs stayed at his post and continued firing at attacking planes.

His thoughts then turned to his young friend Reggie. Mr Tubbs rushed to the engine room to find his friend, but was beaten back by the steam. Mr Earnshaw was one of six men who died that night, July 6 1941

Decades later, Mr Tubbs decided to find out what happened to Reggie. An appeal on a naval history website put him in touch with various people, and he began to learn more about his friend. Born in Dewsbury, his last known address was in Edinburgh.

There are no known living next of kin, but the Commission is appealing for any family to contact them.

For reasons unknown, the location of Reginald Earnshaw's grave was never reported to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or marked with a headstone until recently, when a simple wooden cross was erected as a temporary marker.

Mr Earnshaw's name is however listed on the Tower Hill naval memorial in London.

Now, the Commission will mark the grave with a granite Commission headstone.

As he prepares for the headstone to be put in place, Mr Tubbs is simply glad that Reggie's grave will be properly marked.

He said: "The most important thing to me is that he gets a fitting headstone. I'm glad that after all these years, the sacrifice of such a young man, my pal, will be properly marked."