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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Essex => Topic started by: WildKiwi on Sunday 20 June 10 15:15 BST (UK)
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Hi
A comment by a family member re residential bombing in these areas during the war prompted me to find out more. Is there a ref to the exact areas, street names, whether there were deaths/injuries and the effect on those involved.
All part of my family research.
Regards
Wild Kiwi
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hi wildkiwi, there are a few stories here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/49/a4051649.shtml
kerry
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here also
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=90187
kerry
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Kerry
thanks for the info and I've had a quick look through. However, what I want is news reports or information from locals on bombs dropped on the Westcliff and Southend areas from 1939-1945. It affected members of my family but they are no longer around so?...
Wild Kiwi
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Hi WildKiwi,
because of strict wartime censorship, there is no such thing as news reports of bombing.
You have personal memory, recalled in recent years, as suggested by kerry1212.
Maybe local authority papers/documents survive. Have a word with Southend Local Studies Library.
Go to http://www.southend.gov.uk/content.asp?section=318&content=1604 and click on Contact.
Cheers
Dave
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Hi,
There might possibly be a report in a local paper, you might strike lucky!
My grandparents were bombed out of their house in Townsend Street, Chelmsford by a parachute bomb and their next door neighbours were both killed, it was reported in the Essex Chronicle.
Regards
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Findem and Flakdodger
thank you for links and suggestions. Just a point of interest for family research.
Regards
Wild Kiwi
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I live in Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex and our museum produced a booklet which shows exactly where each bomb and doodle-bug fell in the town, when and if there were any casualties/fatalities. It's available in our local library so it might be worth enquiring as to whether something similar was produced for Southend.
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My mum had moved down from Scotland with her parents when she was 5.
They were walking through Bournemouth Gardens when a German Aeroplane came down st-rathing everything in sight. My nan picked her kids up and threw them into the bushes. A little boy did not manage to make it into the woods with the others and I think mum said she saw him get shot in the leg.
My nan was on the buses and they often had to get off and run for the nearest airaid shelter.
She also did munitions somewhere near WH Smiths in Bournemouth.
marcie
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Thanks to everyone who has contributed and given links. I'll try the libraries and local papers as well. Not being a "native", it is sometimes difficult to know where to start.
Regards
Wild Kiwi
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Hi,
Just thought I'd mention that my father had an experience like Marcie's mum,
One morning he was cycling down Rectory Lane Chelmsford Essex to Hoffmanns Ball & Roller Bearing Co when a German plane flew over and strafed the cyclists. It was a miracle nobody was shot, the road would have been jam packed with cyclists, as far as I can recall the only injuries were bumps and bruises where people threw themselves off their cycles in panic.
Regards.
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I know this chat is about two years old, but I thought I'd give it a try. My mom who is 82 has recounted being shot by a German plane during WWII. she said it happened near the stores at southend on sea, her friend was killed, she states a store owner or baker ran out into the road and grab her, pulling her back into the shop. She experienced many bombings, says she would seek shelter in the sea case of Dover. If there is any ideas on where I can learn more about what happened in WWII on southend on Sea I would really appreciate it. Her last name was mison, if that helps, she married and moved to California were she and I live. She has been in poor health and I feel it is important that her children understand her childhood.
Thanks for any help!
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Not really news reports wildkiwi but it says where the first bomb fell and also the four flying bombs that hit Southend.
http://www.thesoutheastecho.co.uk/southend_history4.htm#WW2
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Thank you
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This diary in the ERO would probably be a good starting point.
"Diary setting out brief information regarding bombs and other missiles which fell upon the Country Borough of Southend-on-Sea, September 3rd 1939 to May 9th 1945, and casualties resulting therefrom"
"Gives details of types of bomb or missile, date, time and place where they fell, damage to property, and casualities"
and a map.
http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=4&id=216330
Several more items. Search for Southend bombing.
Phil
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Hi Agruchy,the article I gave the link to does give some idea of life in Southend at the time and I should have said,welcome to RootsChat.