|
DET - 12 September 2006
There was an
article by Bernard Golding recently which interested me (Bombing
raid left Bernard bruised - thanks to his mum, September 6) and I felt I
must comment.
Firstly, he mentioned he was an Old Centaur and the Central School was
evacuated to Darley Park mansion because of the anticipated blitz on
Derby. Well, I was a Centaur also and was evacuated to Darley Abbey from
1940-44.
Secondly, he recalled his experiences when Offerton Avenue was bombed,
which I remember well. The bomb he mentioned that fell in the middle of
the road was in Derby Lane. It was one of the biggest to be dropped on
Derby and the crater it created was the width of the road. I believe it
was the same night that the railway station was bombed, along with the
bandstand in the Arboretum.
Some weeks before that, my house was bombed in Regent Street. Fourteen
houses were destroyed.
Bernard's article seemed to imply that Derby escaped major bombing and,
while I agree we didn't suffer a Coventry, we had our share of damage.
Although the centre of the town was spared, the populated areas and
industry seemed to get a lot thrown at them. Readers can draw their own
conclusions as to how lucky we were.
During the Second World War, Derby had 236 air raid alerts, 45 people
were killed, 56 seriously injured and 137 slightly injured. The total
number of bombs dropped on the town was 152 high explosives and 164
incendiaries.
After each raid, I used to get on my bike and ride round to see where
the bombs had dropped.
Les Wormsley, Lawn Heads Avenue, Littleover.
|
