May Blitz: The Seven Days that Rocked Liverpool

[Blue70]

May Blitz: The Seven Days that Rocked Liverpool

For seven days in 1941, Hitler's Luftwaffe relentlessly bombed the strategically vital port of Liverpool. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the May Blitz, actor Les Dennis - who was born in the city - discovers amazing stories of survival and loss during the attack.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... -liverpool

Available only until 8pm on 5 June 2016


Blue

[BarbaraW]

Thanks Blue, I'll be sure to watch this as my grand-dad was an auxiliary fireman at Hatton Gardens at this time. I was given all his information by Simon who offers this service to our members:


Your grandfather did serve with the Liverpool Auxiliary Fire Service as a Patrol Officer the 3rd highest rank 1939-1941. He was in Central Division whose HQ was at Hatton Garden

He was transferred when the Fire Service was nationalised in August 1941 to the new National Fire Service and served until 1946 in Fire Force 26.

He would have been awarded the Defence medal for his service, maybe this is still with your family?

I attach a copy of his record sheet as you will see he had served in the Royal Navy in the Great War and afterwards.

When in August 1941 all the professional and Auxiliary Fire Services were nationalised the new NFS was run on military lines. The Country was divided into Regions which were sub divided into Fire Forces. No 26 covered West Cheshire and Merseyside.

The bombing on Merseyside effectively ended in June 1941 so it was whilst with the AFS he fought the Blitz fires especially the infamous May Blitz. I attach a summary of the bombing on Merseyside, it was the heaviest bombed area outside London.



Simon also sent me a Blitz chronology document which is just astonishing to read, the onslaught must have been unimaginable.

[BarbaraW]

It really does pay to join the Liverpool & SW Lancs Genealogy Society, only £10 a year for a wealth of information I'd never have found:

1939 Mar 07 – He was medically examined he had a 40” chest, boot size 7, respirator size medium and hat size 6¾. Accepted as AFm No 1533 w/t in Central Division

Sep – Issued with boots, a steel helmet, respirator

Nov 13 – Completed anti-gas training

Nov – Issued with a mackintosh

Dec – Issued with a uniform, cap, axe belt and pouch.

1940 Jan 23 – Promoted LAFm

Mar 08 – Certified as efficient

May 04 – Passed the LAFm’s exam

May 25 – Was paid the £1 training bonus and issued with AFS lapel badge 192278

Dec 16 – Passed the PO’s Course

1941 Mar 01 – Promoted A/PO

Jly 26 – Promoted PO

Aug 18 – Transferred to the NFS as, FF26

1946 – Discharged on reduction in the establishment of the NFS after 7 years

[MaryA]

That is such wonderful information you have, almost painted a portrait.

[BarbaraW]

I know Mary other than the Navy service records which I had, I only knew bits from my mum that he joined up at Durning Road fire station and wore those brass helmets, she also told me she used to sometimes go to Hatton Garden with a lot of other fireman's kids and the cook would make something like a big sponge pudding and custard and to kids growing up with rationing it must have seemed like heaven. She was evacuaated twice, first to Kirby Lonsdale but she ran away from there then was later sent to North Wales with her brother so I don't know if she was there for the May blitz but I think probably not.

If after watching this anybody wants to learn further about the Liverpool Fire Brigade I thoroughly recommend "Liverpool's Finest" written by Gavin F. Bassie, a great read and very interesting. It's kind of like "Liverpool.Our City.Our Heritage" by Freddie O'Connor in that it's jam packed with information and lots of local snippets and photo's.

[BarbaraW]

I'm sorry I've had to delete this as I didn't realise I wasn't supposed to share it. However I can probably make something similar up myself if there is any interest.

Apologies.

[MaryA]

Thank you for such a lovely offer and hope it will help somebody.

[BarbaraW]

I watched the programme last night and with that and the document I have I can't believe what our families lived through and what strong people they must all have been.

I didn't know until I read the document last year that Mill Road Hospital maternity ward was bombed and mothers and newly born babies were killed, I found that particularly moving.

The fireman in the programme, Simon Ryan, is the person that very kindly sent me all that information.

[MaryA]

He is based at the Bridle Road Museum and he and his colleagues are very helpful and informative if you would like a tour around, well worth a visit, particularly with all those "boys toys" fire engines around.

[BarbaraW]

I must make the time to pay a visit this year. Thanks Mary

[MaryA]

Not sure it's open to just call in, so email or make a phone call to arrange.