Spike.
I don't know if you read the artical on the Blitz, which I posted recently.
It is a first hand account of the morning after the worst May blitz.
Feel free to add it to your site if you wish.
Type 'Liverpool blitz' into the search box.
Printable View
Spike.
I don't know if you read the artical on the Blitz, which I posted recently.
It is a first hand account of the morning after the worst May blitz.
Feel free to add it to your site if you wish.
Type 'Liverpool blitz' into the search box.
Thanks Samp
I shall take a look :PDT11
The site now includes all the Merseyside area.
Please add anyone from Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens or The Wirral.
Tony and Ged
Samp just read the news letter.
I sure would like to add that to the site.
Can you pm me your name so I can add it to the story please. or name of the person you want added as submitter.
cheers :PDT11
http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...names-a-c.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by Samp
addid it under heading " The Blitz " Samp, Thank you :PDT11
Lots more pics added by Ged
http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...-photos-2.html
http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...-photos-1.html
Really shows the extent of the damge
Fantastic pics, well done Tony & Ged :handclap: :handclap:
Nice one guys.
A couple more from the LRO, if you want to add them:PDT11
1) Static Water Tank - Brunswick Street Date 08/08/1942
A photograph of a static water tank. It is full of water and is surrounded by a brick wall. On either side of the water tank there are piles of rubble, which are presumably from buildings that were hit by bombs
2) Static Water Tank Date 08/08/1942
A photograph of a static water tank. It is a large round tank that is surrounded by a wall and a fence. Houses run up from the side of the tank, and in front of some of them there is rubble, which was presumably from a building that was hit by a bomb. On the other side of the fence there is more land that is covered with rubble and it is possible that some construction work is being carried out, but it is not clear what is happening.
3) 22/09/1942
A photograph of a building on Brownlow Hill. There was a building next to it, but that has gone, presumably as it was hit by a bomb. That building was possibly the public house. Parts of the old building are still attached to the other, and a fireplace and the wallpaper can be seen. There are two men on the roof of the building and the area has been cordoned off.
4) Car Park - Brunswick Street Date 29/05/1946
A photograph of a car park off Brunswick Street. The buildings which once occupied the site have gone, presumably after the site was bombed during the war. The Royal Liver and Cunard Buildings are visible in the background. Other buildings on the right have yet to be demolished or rebuilt. On the left are the warehouses on the Goree. These have also sustained some structural damage.
5) 06/01/1944
A view of Scotland Place. The buildings on the left have suffered bomb damage as the windows are broken and they are also boarded up. The building on the far left was a public house. A horse and cart can be seen in the street in front of the buildings.
6) Adverts - Stone's Buildings, Lord Street Date 08/03/1944
A photograph of nos. 56 & 58, Lord Street which was occupied by Stone's Lighting and Radio Ltd. wireless dealers. There are some bill boards on the side of the building. The buildings on either side of this have been demolished after bombing raids. The Victoria Memorial can just be seen in the background, still standing amid a scene of destruction. Men are carrying out repairs on the left of Lord Street and several motor cars are parked at the sides of the street
7) 14/11/1947
A photograph of the Old Bluecoat School showing the effects of bomb damage in 1941
8) 14/11/1947
A view from Paradise Street through Cable Street towards the docks and the Royal Liver Building and showing the emptiness and destruction to buildings in this area caused by bombing raids on Liverpool during World War II. The Victoria Memorial in the middle of Derby Square can be seen in the background. There are some half demolished buildings on the right hand side. Several motor cars and buses are parked on the waste ground in the foreground
Great pictures Martin. Never knew about the water holders. Were they placed all over the city, or just in designated places.
1) 17/11/1947
A photograph of warehouses on Manesty's Lane taken from Coopers Lane. On the left hand side is a sign for McAlister Griffiths Ltd. colonial outfitters. On the far left hand side it appears that some warehouses have been demolished through possible bomb damage
2) 13/01/1948
A photograph of Woodhouse & Son house furnishers on Lord Street (44 - 50). The building appears to be in the process of being rebuilt, presumably after sustaining bomb damage during the war. The ground floor is the only part of the building which is intact. Further along the street is J. and F. Stone Lighting and Radio Ltd. wireless dealers. On the opposite corner, on the corner of Church Street and Paradise Street, is Cooper & Co.'s Stores Ltd.
3) 18/02/1948
A photograph of a hoarding on the side of a building off King Street. The area appears to have sustained heavy bomb damage during the war as the buildings are half demolished and there is a large area of empty land in the foreground. The hoarding bears an advert for more women to subscribe to working in the cotton mills, as the advert puts it 'To Save Britain'
4) 23/04/1948
A view looking across the remains of buildings on Brunswick Street towards the bombed out shell of the Goree Piazzas, and a tunnel ventilation shaft behind. The cupolas of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Building can be seen in the distance.
5) Old Ropery - Moor Street - Rear of James Street Date 26/05/1948 Description A view of a bomb site on Moor Street. The land in the foreground is rubble, while the buildings in the background are derelict. The National Bank Building on James Street can be seen in the background.
6) Demolition Progress - Goree Piazzas Date 31/05/1948 Description A view looking across the remains of buildings on Brunswick Street towards the bombed out shell of the Goree Piazzas, and a tunnel ventilation shaft behind. The cupolas of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Building can be seen in the distance. Demolition work is taking place on the Goree Piazzas.
7) Rear of Town Hall from Chapel Street Date 28/05/1949 Description A view looking across to the Town Hall through the cavity left by the demolition of part of the Exchange Buildings. This might be due to bomb damage.
8) Nos 53-55 Netherfield Road, Corner of Rose Place Date 02/01/1953 Description A view of buildings on the corner of Netherfield Road and Rose Place. The land around has been flattened by bomb damage.
I'm guessing all over the city centre.
Blacklers was once one, their cellar, when it was bombed :shock:
Think I have a few more, from the online LRO site, will post tomorrow :PDT11
Great stuff Martin.Quote:
Originally Posted by hmtmaj
Brilliant Martin :handclap:
http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...479232.jpg?520Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike
On this photo of 'Pembroke Place Site Of St Silas 1943' you can see P. Galkoff's Butchers, which is still there (just about).
There was one at the back of Moorfields, behind the Wizards Den. As a kid I used to play with my pals, there was an old garage door floating in the water, it was used as a raft by the kids. I have a story about it somewhere, I will find it and post it up.
I think Blackers basement was used as a static tank for a short while, after Blacklers was burnt out in the blitz.
(Sorry Martin! I didn't see you have already mentioned it, about Blackers.)
It's age Samp :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Samp
Thanks guys.
I have an update for the site that may be of interest !....it is regarding my Great Uncle George Williams who was killed in WW1 and was buried in France in 1917 (there is a very sad letter written by himwhich is on the site !), my Aunty has recently told me that my Grandparents and Great Grandparents did journey to France for his burial (I was totally unaware if this !) and that during his funeral at the graveside the vicar was hit by a sniper, she cant remember if he was just injured or died but what an amazing story !....anyone out there who may know of where this incident may be recorded ??
Just read that story Squiggs.
How moving to see how the soldiers actually felt during their time at the front. Unless you were there it's very hard to imagine, his letter gives an insight though. Thanks for sharing it.
Martin
Quote:
Originally Posted by squiggs
Hello squiggs
If it was a military funeral there would have been a report of the incident made to the high command and if the record still exists, it should be in the National Archives. As you may know about two-thirds of World War I military records were lost through German bombing in World War II so there is that shadow of a doubt if such a record might still be around. Still I should think it might be worth checking. It is also possible that there may be a report in the press that mentions your great uncle's funeral and the name of the clergyman who was struck by the sniper though possibly such a report might not have been published in the press until some time later due to wartime secrecy. If the clergyman died as a result of the sniper's bullet there is probably a grave record for him too.
All the best
Chris
I reckon that would be a stray round rather than a sniper. We used to say, it weren't too bad getting shot if a round has your name on it. It's the one with To whom it may concern that used to worry us.
Thanks for the reply Chris !, I'm just glad that my Aunty who is 82 remebered the story and could tell me about it !, these "gems" of information are to be treasured.
Hi SquiggsQuote:
Originally Posted by squiggs
I have been talking to a few experts on the Great War Forum and we may have a possible for this.
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...asualty=117033
The only Chaplain dying around this time was The Rev. HERBERT PETER LEDBITTER. on 28 Feb 1917.
His extraction, if wounded, to a Base Hospital at Le Treport is in a short,direct and straight line from Flers where George Williams was Buried.
Still looking into him.
Sorry Squiggs its not the man above.
Just found a record for him stating he died of Meningitis.
The problem is the lack of detail - he might well have only been wounded and much depends upon how serious - if for example it was a minor nick from a nearly spent stray round then the wound might never even have been officially reported.
But as you say a great story. Do you want me to add details of it to the site on George's story?
I would be honoured if you did Spike :hug:, if I ever get "clever" enough to upload a photo you could put his grave on the site as well !.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike
I would dearly love to have a conversation with my Nan to ask her lots of questions, how come when we are younger we never ask questions ??
I have mentioned before about the Shrewsbury Club, old boys news sheets, which I and a few other old boys from the club are archiving. These sheets are all hand written and have to be typed up before they can go into the computer. Many of them relate to the war years and an attempt in the past was made to collate the news sheets from World War 11. We hope in the future to see these go to print.
The members of the archive team have agreed I can post a few sheets on Yo, to give people an idea what they are all about. These sheets have been written by club members during their time in the war and have never been seen before.
The number at the top of the page refers to the news sheet number, which gives you an idea how many there are!
2903
TEN YEARS AGO More extracts from 1944 news sheets.
THE WAR IN THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD
25/4/44 JIMMY MACKAY (AIR LETTER 29/3/44) Myself and Harry (Boardman) arrived back yesterday with the boys feeling fit and well, Johnny (Aspinall and Stan (Grounds) were waiting for us when we came in. We managed to have a bottle of beer apiece at night time in Johnny's dug out. We only wanted Ted (Wilmitt) there. He couldn't manage it because he was pretty forward. We had a real good jangle between us until about ten o'clock Stanley telling us a few jokes and Johnny telling us how we are going to win the war Well I am glad to see Albert (Ash) and Harry (Scott) were enjoying themselves back at home and they sure deserve it. Sorry to hear about John D'Arcy.He sure stopped It In the right place. I reckon he must have been over with the Eighth."
25/4/44 STAN GROUNDS (AIRGRAPH 1/4/44) " I was up to see Johnny Aspinall on Monday and who walks in but Jimmy McKay who told me that Harry was back. I soon rooted him out and on the same night we had a bit of a bottle party through the efforts of Johnny who had procured six bottles of beer and four bottles of Vino."
25/4/44 FOOTNOTE This is the first time we think that we have received on the same day, letters from two of the lads giving their account of the same incident. Isn't it astonishing when you come to think of it Jimmy McKay, Stan Grounds Johnny Aspinall and Henry Boardman having a night out in a dug out on the Anzio beachhead a few thousand miles from home that no doubt forgetting after the first few minutes that they weren't at the Legs of Man or in Mac's house or even at the Bean House. It was a pity that Teddy Wilmitt could not have been there too and one of our chief wishes now is to hear that that young warrior has been given a bit of well deserved rest after the weeks and almost months of very active campaigning he has been through just recently.
FROM GERMANY
14/5/44 GEORGE GRIMES (26/3/44) " I don't think I've told you before my latest accomplishment since I've been on the farm (Prison camp) is I've learned to ride the horses. Well I manage to hang on anyway.Its not too bad playing nursemaid to four horses. A chap with us here is from Liverpool. He lives just by your works, I don't remember him though he knows Joe Glow and Co"
ANZIO AGAIN
25/5/54 STAN GROUNDS (15/4/44) " I guess you have not received my first letter saying where I first met Henry Boardman. We were in the attack with the infantry mainly for mine lifting in certain areas. The Mole (Germans) got to know of the attack somehow but the infantry I was with took their objective after very stubborn resistance. We held on as we were in a spearhead and waiting for the flanks to come up. The left flank troops had to have tank support and I was dig in - in what I consider the best position in the area. Good job too- as it turned out. A bunch of tankers came around the corner and one of them told me Harry was about somewhere. We found time to chat about club life.
The Mole kept shelling all around us and we all kept our heads down. I may say that the above crew's tank had not been knocked out but was bogged in.
The following afternoon a couple of blokes ran round the corner of this house and Parry says to one of them "Here's a chap who knows you Henry". I looked up then and old Harry came over and shook hands. He said he would rather have a game of basket ball any time. He showed me two holes in his leg and was looking for a R.A.P. and one or two close ones made him rush back to cover but he finally got over there. He wanted to stay in my dug out as he said he felt safer there - than he had felt all day. Of course I told him to get back down the line which he eventually tried. Later on ambulance leaving the RAP got a smack and I was wandering if Harry was in it. Thank goodness he wasn't. We had another night of continuous shelling and were relieved on the following day by some of our lads. Funny part was that I had been snooping around tank territory and It never struck me to ask if it was the lads'lot."
14/10/54
Nice one Samp. Good story.
Another news sheet, which compliments the first one, as it refers to the same incident!
2905
TEN YEARS AGO More extracts from wartime news sheets'
28/3/44 HENRY BOARDMAN "Just a few lines hoping to find you and the Old Boys in the best of health I believe Johnny Aspinall wrote you telling you I was in hospital again. It happened this way; we went into action on January 30th and lost a couple of tanks. My tank was about 20 or 30 yards behind another tank which got hit and immediately burst into flames. Not knowing where the shot came from we withdrew a little and after half an hour we went forward again this time without any opposition and finished up on the objective. We withdrew after the infantry had consolidated the position.
The next morning we went in again at about nine o'clock. Opposition was very stiff and taking up a position on a ridge we started blasting a few houses and haystacks which were in front of us. About three o'clock in the afternoon we got word from the infantry that Jerry had some machine guns in some six coaches on the railway line. We left our positions and went round to our right and blasted those coaches. After they were well on fire we returned to our original positions. By this time we had only two H E shots left so we put them into a haystack which caught fire and started exploding. My commander decided to fall back a little and pick up some more H E ammunition so we started to reverse off this ridge. This was when we got hit, the shot coming in by the driver?s seat and setting the tank on fire. A few of the splinters of the shot or maybe the tank hit me in the calf of the left leg and the back of the right thigh. Needless to say we baled out. I was doing operator at the time and so was last out. By the time I did hit the ground the remainder of the crew was out of sight. I was hobbling back, more crawling than anything else when my troop officer called me into a dug out where we stayed for about half an hour during which the area was heavily shelled mortared and machine gunned and I had a look at my damage. There was a hole about as big as a sixpence in the fleshy part of my, left leg and some three smaller holes in my right thigh -nothing serious but enough to prevent me walking or running properly. So between hobbling and crawling about 1000 yards I got to a regimental Aid Post where they bandaged me up and I went further back to the road to be picked up by an ambulance On the way I had to take shelter in a slit trench behind a house where I met some lads of ours one of whom said there was on engineer there who knew me. It turned out to be none other than Stan Grounds. We spent half an hour or more in his slit trench and had a bit of a chat but I'm afraid that by that time I was pretty well shaken up, I'm afraid it was nerves more than anything else and Stan could see it and told me to get going to the ambulance point but as I felt a **** sight safer in the trench than I would have felt making my way further back I stayed a little longer till things quietened down a bit and then got to the ambulance point where I got a cup of tea and a tot of brandy which helped a lot. The ambulance then took me to the Casualty Clearing Station and from there on a hospital ship to the 90th General Hospital. On arrival there I discovered that the seat of my pants was cut and all scorched. Then I realised that I had been very very lucky. Had the shrapnel broken my shin bone I would have been unable to get out of the tank before she brewed up. I spent 18 days in the 70th General Hospital during which time I came across seven more of our boys, I also had a visit from Major Evans and some more of our boys including Johnny Aspinall. They had been left behind with the echelon and were billeted about five miles from the hospital, I am now back with the echelon although my left leg has not healed up properly and I am still under the MO. The officer in charge of the echelon had me up for an interview this morning and if I had not been under the MO he would have sent me back again which I think more than unfair as there are quite a number of fellows here who have not long joined the unit and are doing nothing here. Ted Wilmitt went in the day I caught it. His troop was on the left. We have had news of the regiment such as casualty lists and as there has been no mention of Ted or Jimmy Mac, I take it they are OK. Johnny Aspinall has now gone up to the regiment. I am sorry that I did not meet Stan under happier circumstances as it was little more than hullo and goodbye. Give my regards to all the Old Boys abroad and at home and all the best to you and them. The papers say that it was worse than Salerno."
21/10/54
If there are any family members of the lads mentioned in the news letters we would like them to contact us at the Shrewsbury Club.
Another good one Samp. Excellent.
Hi Pablo, dont know if this will be of interest to you . My dad was in the Royal Navy during WW2 He was mainly on Destroyers, he was torpedoed 4 times , the l;ast time I think was when he was transfered into the Australian Navy, after being sunk off Java. He was on the Canbberra when she went down , in the Coral sea battle. He was also involved in the sinking of the Scharnorst in one of the Norwegian Ffiords, again on a Destroyer. His name was Arthur Draper , he was an LTOPO. which was a leading torpedo opertaor, and Petty Officer. I hope this will help in any way.
Cheers Keith Draper.
A big Thank you to Martin for submitting more LRO photos :PDT_Piratz_26:
http://liverpoolremembrance.weebly.c...-photos-3.html
They are really good.
Good story kd. It's amazing that they went back to sea after being sunk. What was going on in their minds. If I went down, I'd say I wanted to try the Air Force now. My uncle was sunk three or four times and he just carried on. I've been on ships in war zones and they lock all the doors to ease up on any damage. It's terrifying to go through. I only had it for a short time. Imagine those guys going through it week after week, month after month. You can't see owt, you can just hear the noises. Your mind fills in the gaps. Brave lads indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by kdraper42
Anyone who is waiting for info to be submitted please bear with me as I have been going mad on the overtime at work. I will get around to it.
Hi Spike,
Can you use JMLE's pics of the War Memorials outside and inside Crawfords on Binns Rd ?
http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/sho...awfords&page=4
Also, do you want any of the letters I posted on the WW2 forum, from people of Liverpool and their experiences ?
I will get my Grandfathers and fathers stuff together too.
Spotted this pic on the LRO too if you want it.
"1947 This view of the Albert Docks two years after the end of the Second World War and shows the resulting damage caused by the bombs. It also shows how not all of the buildings were damaged and that the docks were still active. Two boats are in the water by the undamaged buildings. Through the gap between the two docks the Anglican Cathedral is visible."
Hi Mart
Yes can use those pics and the other.
Will get onto it in a few days. I will contact you first.
Off the pub soon woo hoo, Hangover day tomorrow :unibrow:
Have a good night Spike and everyone else, off to the pub myself ! :PDT_Aliboronz_24: :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Hi Spike and Everyone,
My Favourite Uncle Ken Buck was from Old Swan.He was in the Liverppol Kings from the beginning of the War 2. He married my Mums sister Marjorie Lunt in 1937.Uncle Ken taught me to March,Slope Arms,Present Arms etc.Also with the Bayonet.Unfortunately it went through the glass lamp in the lounge and stuck in the ceiling.I'm almost in hysterics even now thinking about it.He gave it a jiggle to pull it out and that beautiful fancy plaster circle about 6 ft diameter came down as welland pieces of the ceiling. I am still trying to find out I'm sure he was in the Chindits as I can remember everyone listening to the radio one Sunday morning.Aunty Marj had rerceived a letter saying he would be speaking for about one minute.His Mums Name was Mrs Dowell at this stage and had moved to London and Iam sure ran a Pub with Mr Dowell.Went to London with my Mum where They lived 99,Essendine Mansions, Maida Vale.Lords Cricket Ground was around the corner.Always remember that as a Doodle Bug flew past a couple of miles away (V1). Aunty Marj did the dirty on him and took off with another guy and my Mum had to go and meetthe ship at the Pier Head when he arrived to tell him.He stayed with us a couple of days and then with Mums other sister Dora and her husband Uncle John just back from the Middle East RAF.Never saw him again,but my Mum did.I went to Essendine Mansions and he was away on Holidays and Lived there by himself.The lady in the next Apartment said ,that he was a lovely man and very lonely.The lady must have told him as he went up to the Pool and stayed with Mum and Dad.I was at sea.I visted him again and just missed himby a couple of hours as he had just left for a holiday.Once agai the lady told him and he went to see my Mum and Dad and stayed a few days.I never saw him as I left for Holland to join a new ship being built for a New Zealand Coastal Shipping Co.Aunty Marj lived in Australia with her husband so I did see her but only under a bit of sufferance.I getting a bit long winded Spike anyway I found out about Uncle Kens Dad He was killed in WW1 in 1918.Have photos of his grave Regiment etc.haven't been able to find out if he is on any Memorial in Old swan.Is this the kind of info you want.
Uncle Ken did marry again and died in 1977 and his wife a couple of years later.I'm pretty sure he was a "Chindit".Great all you guys Pablo etc etc Best Regards ken B
Hi Ken
This is great info and I would be proud to add it to the site. I will pm you.
Hi Spike, I know you are busy !!!, but did you get the papers etc I sent on Eric and my Aunt ?