Watching BBC News this morning, I was made aware that today marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Blitz. As always, the focus was on London – with just an incidental mention that other places in the country were also affected. I was going to post these photographs in November to mark the Durning Road tragedy but the news item made me reconsider the timing. The direct hit on the large underground shelter in Durning Road, Edge Hill, was the worst single incident in the Liverpool Blitz as regards loss of life.
In the early hours of 29 November 1940, during the heaviest air raid to date, a parachute mine hit the Junior Instruction Centre in Durning Road, collapsing into the shelter below and crushing many of its 300 occupants. Boiling water from the central heating system and gas from fractured mains poured in. Raging fires overhead also made rescue work extremely dangerous. In all, 166 men, women and children were killed. Many more were badly injured. Joe Lucas lost two brothers and two sisters in the tragedy and recalled that his traumatised mother did not speak for six months.
We are not very good at marking such events but there is still time to have some form of official recognition of such a terrible event. I am writing to the Lord Mayor – and I hope others will make some representation to have a small ceremony of some kind. After all, Liverpool did have the highest number of casualties of any city outside of London and it is important that there is recognition of such suffering.
I am researching my Great Grandmother (Sarah Ellen Nelson b.1889). Sarah was bombed out twice during the Liverpool Blitz and as a consequence lost two houses. I believe that one of her houses was on Thomas Street but I have yet to verify this. Sarha, as a result of the Blitz went to live with her daughter in Warrington and died in 1943, aged 54 years, some say of a broken heart. I totally agree with you and as regards to the coverage by the media it seems that London have more than their fair share whilst other cities only get a passing mention if they’re lucky.
Two aunts and my cousin were killed in durning rd. and they were never found.
my grandmother was devistated at the loss there is a communial grave in walton cemetery
where she hoped they were layed to rest.
My paternal Grandfather: Charles Robert Edwards b. Liverpool 1913 was in his house that was bombed, 86 Ruskin Street, Kirkdale on 22 December 1940. He died the same day in Walton Hospital, aged 27 and the husband of Mary Cathrine Edwards (nee Flood). He was survived by his two sons: Charles Edwards Jnr. b. Toxteth Park North (Wavertree) 1933 and David Edwards b. Kirkdale 1936. Also survived by his father: Charles Edwards Snr of 120 Wellington Road, Wavertree.
I’m now 90years of age, I remember the November bombing, at that time I was serving with the 9th Battalion Loyal Regt. Our billet was a house in Sefton Park Road (I believe the house belonged to Alfred Wolfe the Jeweller) On the same night as Durning Road was hit a Wireless School opposite to our billet had a direct hit from a Land Mine, our billet received quite a bashing from the blast. Luckily there where only a few minor injuries to the lads on duty.
Sadly a friend of mine Frank Elkington his wife and baby were killed in the Durning Road shelter.
The site of the Durning Road tragedy was replaced by a secondary school in the 1960′s. This was demolished a number of years ago and a small quiet housing estate is on the site. In Old College Place just off Durning Road, there is a small memorial garden with a plaque in memory of those who died in the school tragedy.
Hi Joe Lucas my brother Joe Bennett and I were friends with your brothers and sisters.
We all went to the shelter together But that night I had the measles and was not allowed,
to mix with other kids so I was kept out that night .
My brother was killed .He was buried with your brothers and sisters in Allerton cemetery
Re: Charles Robert Edwards.
Hi Nick,
My names Andy, my grandad was your grandads brother his name was George.
He also had a sister Violet and another brother(can’t remember his name)
I have been tryin to find out about our family!
Please get in touch.
0151 724 4740
07504 988 648
Mr george kidd who wrote above about his 2 aunts and cousin who died inb the bombing. Well my mother Ethel Gerrard (nee Brown)was a cousin of those 2 aunts. Their names were Norah Kidd and her sister Nellie and her son Thomas Flannagan. My mothers brother Thomas was on leave from the army at the time and heard about the bombing but he was not allowed to help as his cousins were in the shelter. The story about them has been passed down the years through our family and has now gone into our family legacy and family tree to be passed on.
I believe Mr George Kidd as above is my second cousin. I think his father was also called George. I have a lot of photos and stories of his family but we have never met but should he wish to get in touch he can contact me at ray.gerrard@talktalk.net
Re. Charles Robert Edwards
Hi Andy, sorry but I’ve only just seen your email. Wow ae we distant cousins then? I’ve sent you a text mate. My estranged father: Charles Edwards moved to Morecambe towards the end of the war I think? along with his two brothers; David and Keith along with their mother Mary. Please get in touch mate