230142 raid

While convoys of lorries were still trucking the wreckage and rubble from the scene of devastation that became known as "The Waller's raid" in London Road North, Lowestoft, another deadly raid occurred. An alert had been sounded at 8.41 am, probably caused by German bombers seeking a convoy in the North Sea.
Barely a minute had elapsed after the warning when a lone bomber, variously identified as as a Do 217 or Ju 88 emerged from the snow clouds overhead and dived towards the railway station from the NE. From 500 feet four HE bombs were released before the attacking aircraft disappeared as quickly as it had come.
The first bomb landed at the junction of Till Road and Summer Road, bursting a 4 inch water main and killing two people, and the second fell in a garden in Stanley Street. As with the "Waller's raid" the bombs were dropped low and fell close together. The two remaining bombs hit Nos 46 and 55 Stanley Street, and the destruction caused by the cluster of bombs was equally devastating - 21 houses were completely demolished, 15 very severely damaged, 13 extensively damaged and about 100 slightly damaged.
The late Jack Rose always related the story about how Civil Defence Rescue Party teams rushing to the scene were confronted with the awful sight of a coffin containing a deceased person lying in the road. It had apparently been blasted there from one of the wrecked houses. The funeral was to have taken place that day and some would-be mourners were among the victims of the raid.
The precise number of dead in this raid has also been difficult to determine. Police reports indicate 12 killed, with another published source giving 15. Thus far we have identified 11 civilians in the IWGC Roll of Honour who died in Lowestoft that date.
What is not in dispute is the fact that only ten days after the horror of the "Waller's raid" another dreadful tragedy had struck the town and brought more suffering, more sadness and yet more misery to a town then entering its third year of war and with little respite in sight.
Lest we forget CREDIT: Bob Collis

Pictures Ford Jenkins and Bert Collyer collection

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 11

Alan Sterry

A Civilian, Alan died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 13. Alan was born at Lowestoft on 23 July 1928, a son of James Albert and Dora Vida Sterry. In 1939 his family lived at 55 Stanley Street and Alan was a schoolboy.Alan died at 55 Stanley Street, during an air raid, along with his mother Dora and his grandmother Mary Ann Sterry. 230142 raid

Dora Vida Sterry

A Civilian, Dora died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 43. Dora was born at Lowestoft on 7 May 1898, a daughter of George William and Sarah Anne Parker. She was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 17 June 1898 and her family lived at 92 Clement Terrace. In 1901 her family lived at 92 Carlton Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their home in 1911. From 4 September 1905 Dora was a pupil at Kirkley School. 230142 raid

Edith May Walker

A Civilian, Edith died on 23rd of January 1942 aged 52. Edith was born at Lowestoft on 14 January 1890, a daughter of Walter Alexander and Matilda Budds. In 1891 her family lived at 55 Tonning Street, and by 1901 they were living at 57 Stanley Street.In 1911Edith was in domestic service, working for Alice Ditchfield at Belvoir Villa, 1 Church Road. On 23 September 1924 Edith married Albert Edward Walker at Saint John’s Church. Albert was a shop assistant living at 35 Saint George’s Road, and Edith lived at 57 Stanley Street. 230142 raid

Jean Kathleen Remblance

A Civilian, Jean died on 23rd of January 1942 aged 6. Jean was born at Cambridge on 17 January 1936, the daughter of Megan Remblance. In 1939 Jean lived with Alfred and Alice Reynolds at 10 Stevens Street. Later her home was at 31 Till Road. Jean died at 31 Till Road during an air raid. 230142 raid

Mary Ann Sterry

A Civilian, Mary died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 73.Mary was born at Norwich on 16 March 1868, a daughter of John and Ruth Kirby. In 1869 her family spent a month at Saint Andrew's Workhouse, Norwich. By 1871 they were living at John Bull Street, Heigham, Norwich. In 1874 Mary, and her mother and sisters, were again admitted to Saint Andrew's Workhouse. On 14 June 1875 Mary became a pupil at Saint Stephen's School, Norwich. By 1881 her family were living at Shoulder of Mutton Yard, Norwich. 230142 raid

Blanche May Edwards

A Civilian, Blanche died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 47. Blanche was born at Lowestoft in 1894, a daughter of Albert Edward and Eliza Bushell. She was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 1 June 1894, and her family lived at 50 Stanford Street. Blanche’s father was a baker. By 1901 her family were living at 21 Duke’s Head Street, and later her parents lived at 72 Sussex Road. In 1911 Blanche lived at 90 Park Road, and she was a domestic servant working for William and Harriett Green. 230142 raid

Jessie Mary Godbold

A Civilian, Jessie died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 42. Jessie was born at Lowestoft on 11 June 1899, a daughter of Arthur Jacobs and Olive Moore. In 1901 her family lived at 48 Stanley Street, and this was Jessie's home for the rest of her life. Jessie married William Arthur Godbold, at Lowestoft, in early 1919.Jessie died at 48 Stanley Street.Jessie's brother-in-law, Joseph, was killed in 1942. Her nephew, Leonard, was killed in 1941. 230142 raid

Emma Ann King

A Civilian, Emma died on 23rd of January 1942 aged 74. Emma was born at Lowestoft on 10 February 1867, a daughter of George and Eliza Barber. In 1871 her family lived at Mariners Street Court and by 1881 at 7 Bishop’s Opening. In 1888 Emma married John Tuthill. John died and in 1891 Emma lodged at 58 High Street with the Tuttle family and she was a domestic servant. In 1893 Emma married William Thomas King and they moved to Forest Gate, Essex. 230142 raid

Marguerite Elsie Rand

A Civilian, Marguerite died on 23rd of January 1942 at the age of 43. Marguerite was born at Lowestoft on 9 September 1898, a daughter of Robert James and Henrietta Gouldby. She was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 November 1898. Throughout her life her family home was at 51 Stanley Street. In 1921 Marguerite worked as a shop assistant at L. Wren & Son Ltd., High Street, Lowestoft. 230142 raid

Laura Alice Gall

A Civilian, Laura died on 13th of January 1942 aged 52. Laura was born at Lowestoft on 17 April 1889, a daughter of George Rix and Mary Ann Gall. She was baptised at Christ Church, Lowestoft, on 29 May 1889 and her family lived at Whapload House, Whapload Road. By 1901 Laura’s family were living at 8 Seago Street. 230142 raid

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230142 raid