My dad was in the 3rd Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, their base being at Preston Towers. He was temporarily on shore waiting for his next ship. They were called out to aid in the rescue/recovery at Wilkinson's pop factory. The scenes stayed in his memory for the rest of his life: although he was used to battlefield casualty situations, the sight of women and child victims was something I don't think many were prepared for.
My Mum (nearly 92) Had cousin's killed in the Pop Factory bombing on King St. She has a cruet set in her living room, from a friend of her Dad's, the guy was in the RAF and away from home during the raid, poor man lost his wife and children. The cruet set he bought as a thank you for all the help my Mum's parents gave him after the tragic event. How very sad.
Thanks so much for posting this. My Grandfather was a PC and in the Police box on the corner of the Quadrant which was hit. His three colleagues were killed and he was the sole survivor. My father lived in Cartington Road (the next one in the string of high explosives) and just missed being hit. He's still alive at 89 and has never seen this footage.
I know the coronation street area well, and have many happy memories playing around that area as well..I know Ropery banks...:) Alot has changed round that area now, as the smiths docks land is now flattened...:(
I was born in Preston hospital had no idea it had been bombed in the war though! Thanks for the vid, it's awful but nice to look back in, makes you think to take vids/pics of the area now for future generations x
I've lived in Shields all my life mate, and grew up on Cecil Street. So most of my childhood memories are from exploring old houses and buildings around the area, and the fish quay...:). I also remember 'frank wappats church'..:).. The clip from stanley street is good, as the houses are still there, and you can see where the new flats were built.. My dad lived in oswin terrace, and that is his house, on this clip..:) Do you still live in Shields mate?
I believe north shields had the most deaths during a bombing raid during the blitz. May all those victims, and the survivors that have since passed on rest in peace.
My great grandfather was a grass during the war. Grassing is a proud tradition in my family. Im a grass now. In fact i think im the biggest grass in the history of north shields. Im flying the flag for the hermans. Grasses all
