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People of Lowestoft 1914-45 | DISCOVER the lives behind the names

130142 The Waller Raid

13 Jan 1942 Raid ”Lowestoft's worst raid of the war came at a time when attack was to be least expected. It was snowing and just before dusk on 13th January 1942 when a single Dornier glided over the coast unheard and released four bombs in the main shopping area, killing seventy people. The biggest casualty list occurred in Waller's restaurant where many civilians and Service folk were at tea. Almost a complete block of large shops was devastated , as were several other business premises. The town's biggest cinema, the Odeon which was opposite, was severely blasted.” Also Morlings shop

For more details of this and other raids we suggest the book "The Air War Over Lowestoft 1939-1945"

CREDIT: AJ Turner, Letters from Lowestoft

PHOTO CREDIT: Lowestoft War Memorial Museum

52.47657569509, 1.7529916785389

52.476447449838, 1.7529058478504

52.476413959176, 1.7525920293956

Displaying 21 - 30 of 43
A Civilian, Mildred died on 13th of January 1942 aged 58. Mildred was born at Kessingland on 30 October 1883, a daughter of Edward and Sarah Catchpole. Mildred was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 30 December 1883. In 1891 her family lived at Church Road, Kessingland, and by 1901 they were living at 42 Edinburgh Road, Lowestoft, and Mildred was a drift not repairer.  130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Ruby died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 24. Ruby was born at Harwich on 28 November 1917, a daughter of Herbert and Ethel Copping. She was born a month after her father’s death. Her family lived at 3A, Vansittart Street, Bathside, Harwich. After her father’s death they moved to Lowestoft and lived at 14 Saint Peter’s Street, and then at 173 London Road. Ruby died at London Road North during the Waller Raid.Her father died in 1917 from illness contracted while on active service.  130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, George died on 13th of January 1942 aged 43. George was born at Lowestoft on 7 August 1898, a son of William A. and Caroline Gayfer. In 1901 his family lived at 171 Saint Margaret’s Road. By 1911 their home was at 2 Sussex Road.  130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Leslie died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 14. Son of Emma May Gayfer of 74 Long Road and of George Birkwood Gayfer. Died at London Road North. 130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Margery died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 38. Margery was born at Sheerness, Kent, on 22 December 1903, a daughter of Jesse and Annie E. Kerrison. In 1911 her family lived at 17 Vicarage Road, Chelmsford, Essex. By 1921 they were living at 5 London Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, and Margery was a clerk at the Rollight Engineering Company, London Road, Chipping Norton.  130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Megan died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 18. Megan was born at Lowestoft on 6 January 1924, a daughter of William Bertie and Gladys Edmonds. In 1939 her family lived at 67 Lorne Park Road. Megan died at London Road North during the Waller Raid. 130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Elsie died on 13th of January 1942 aged 14. Elsie was born on 20 May 1927, a daughter of Albert John and Mary Annie Wincup. Her birth was registered in the Blything district. By 1939 her family were living at 2 School Cottages, Carlton Colville. Elsie died at Waller’s Restaurant, 90 London Road North, during the Waller Raid. 130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Maurice died on 13th of January 1942 aged 17.Maurice was born at Lowestoft on 27 September 1924, a son of George Leonard and Evelyn May Garrod. In 1939 his family lived at Tintern House, Chapel Street, and Maurice was a drapery porter.Maurice was an Air Raid Precautions messenger.  Maurice died at Morling’s Music Shop, 106 London Road North, during the Waller Raid.  130142 The Waller Raid, Lost Street
A Civilian, Susan died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 48.Susan, sometimes known as Susie, was born at Newmarket on 28 August 1893, a daughter of William Danton and Martha Coleman. In 1901 her family lived at 9 Stevens Street, Lowestoft, and by 1911 at 77 Norwich Road, Lowestoft, and Susie was a shop assistant at the 'Fancy Bazaar.'  130142 The Waller Raid
A Civilian, Edith died on 13th of January 1942 at the age of 27. Edith was born at Lowestoft on 17 July 1914, a daughter of John Stephen Stanley and Ruby Beatrice Lambert. She was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 8 October 1914, and her family lived at 1 Compass Street, which would be her home for the whole of her life. In 1939 Edith worked as a shop assistant.Edith died at London Road North during the air raid on 13 January 1942. Edith's uncle Herbert Lambert was killed in 1915 whilst serving with the Royal Fusiliers.  130142 The Waller Raid