Bombing raid on Boston 12 Sep 1940

[Redroger]

According to Map of Air raids on Boston p79 Boston at War by Martin Middlebrook, an HE Bomb fell on Wyberton West Road somewhere in the vicinity of No.11-19. I lived as a baby and small child in WW Road throughout the war, approximately opposite the site marked, and have no recollection of a crater, or blitzed house or of my parents mentioning this. Did it happen or is the map in error?

[An65]

dnt know, but can say both Hall Hills (creosote factory) and Gypsy Bridge got bombed. My folks were alive then, tho small, see if I can find out anything for you.

[Redroger]

Thanks for that An, As I said I lived on WW Road from 1940-1965, and if a bomb had fallen where marked on the map I would almost certainly have been killed by it! It was reasonable to assume by where it was marked that the target had been the rail yard, or possibly the railway bridge over the South 40Foot drain, though precision bombing like that would have needed was not available to either side at that time.
I await anything you find with interest.
Roger

[pamthomas]

Hi Roger,
My family (minus me, as I wasn't born until after the war ) lived in the street, and I've phoned Uncle who says he can't remember any bomb in WWR.
He can remember the one that landed outside Cammacks.
And he was nearly late for work the day one landed at the top of Licquorpond Street. The sirens didn't have much effect on him getting out of bed but the bang as the bomb exploded soon had him shooting down the stairs. 
He was also firewatching in West Street one night when the Germans dropped a flare which lit up the whole sky like daylight.  I understood that to be the night bombs were dropped near the dock. Some (one?) hit the power cables on the opposite bank to St Nicks church. Others landed in Scotney's fields, and as Martin Middlebrook says, some of them went so deeply into the soil that they're still there. And to think that my parents used to take me picnicking in those fields.   Such little regard for my welfare.

Hm, although I'd looked at the map (I also have the book) before I phoned Uncle, I completely forgot to ask him about the HE bombs dropped near the Rope Walk, between the bank and the top of Marsh Lane, and a bit further down the Low Road, about three weeks earlier than the one in WWR.  Will try to remember to phone him back over the weekend.

[Redroger]

The one that hit the power pylon near Scotney's on the river bank is I believe my earliest memory (I was 2 at the time). It increasingly looks as though a mistake was made either on the original map, or when it was reproduced. I await further posts with interest.

[An65]

mum doesnt remember any bomb in WWR, but can add one on Penn St.

She says The Liquorpond St bomb would have the one that hit the bakery, "Lovelys", and two of the girls of this family were killed in their beds. This is probably the bomb that literally moved the pub in West St  - memory isnt what it used to be they cant remember pub name but think its the Royal George.

Apparently there was a searchlight station out WWR way, perhaps thats where the confusion comes from?

Hope that helps.

[Redroger]

My grandmother who lived with us was very distressed about the Lovely girls; they went to her church (High  St. Baptist) I don't remember a searchlight station on WWR only a pillbox which had a clear line of fire towards the rail line.
Not sure about the pub name, it was either the Royal George with a picture of George IV on the sign or George IV with his picture. Its only 6 years since I saw that!

[pamthomas]

I've never studied the pub sign   but the pub was the Royal George.

[An65]

thanks