Hi Astonian,
Please accept my apologies for my late reply, I've had a couple of days of feeling unwell and this is the first day at my computer.
This information is fantastic, thank you for taking the time to write it.
I'm seeing my Dad, this weekend and will find out more of what he remembers and where in Rocky Lane the house was situated. From the accurate information you have kindly provided, it appears that the family presumed the neighbours where killed.
He remembers the roof of the properties being flat and twisted on the ground with smoke and flames so it was an easy assumption to make, that nobody would have survived. I suppose on hindsight that the residence would have been in shelters.
Seeing the houses as nothing more than rubble, they returned back to Weoley Castle to my Aunties address and where eventually rehomed in Weoley Castle Road.
I have posted requests on other forums about my family name of Pardoe and had replies and photo's sent of my family for which I am extreemly grateful. The Rocky Lane forum was an old one so I had no reply but this is fantastic, thank you.
Below
'in itallics' is a copy of my first posting on this website. It is about discovering information about my family but it tells the story of Rocky Lane as I know it.
There is
a link to a video of WW2 that shows out troops defending our country from Hitler's planes and flying bombs. The coastal gunner is the role my Granddad had during the war, shooting at the planes and bombs. If the link does not work as I'm new to the forum, please cut and paste. It is well worth viewing and shows the bravery of our servicemen and women in what must have been terrifying times.
The V1 bombs would fly and when they ran out of fuel, they would drop from the sky, wreaking havoc on land. I was told that the Spitfire's would fly amongst hundreds of flying V1 bombs and gently 'tip' the bomb to divert in another direction with the wing of the Spitfire, keeping our lands safe.
Below is the copy of my first listing, I hope it is of interest to others. Thank you again to all that has posted replies, it will enable me to know more accurate information about Rocky Lane. The posting makes refference Tommy Pardoe. To make the story clear to those who do not know the name, Tommy Pardoe represented Great Britain in the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Hi,
I’m new to the Forum but very interested in my family history.
I realise this part of the forum is not current in terms of recent posts, but I hope to find old photographs of my family. If anyone has any old photographs of the Pardoe family, I would appreciate seeing them please. Hopefully this is of some interest to others.
I am the Grandson of Fred Pardoe, one of Herbert and Martha’s 15 Children.
Fred was one of the elder Brother's of Tommy Pardoe, the Boxer.
Fred was born in Cleobury Mortimer, Ludlow in 1900. This was before the family moved to Ward End, Birmingham, a journey of about 40 to 50 miles.
I wonder how long the journey took, bearing in mind that the family had young children and would have been travelled entirely by horse and waggon, pesumably a two or three day journey sleeping under a makeshift tent against the waggon or I believe is known as a Vardo in Gypsy language. I am led to believe from information from an elderley family member that the Pardoe family have Gypsy connections dating back in time.
Fred was Tommy’s ‘corner man’ in most of Tommy’s fights. The corner man is also referred to as the boxers ‘second’. He would shout advice to Tommy and assisted him between rounds.
I am also hoping to find information on the WW2 bombings in Rocky Lane, Neechalls which are relevant to this side of the Pardoe family. I have posted a separate thread in the hope that someone has photographs of the bombed houses.
In adult life, Fred married and lived at number 1, Rocky lane, with my Grandmother, Two sons (one of whom is my Father), and two sisters. There was an elder third sister, who had married and moved to Weoley Castle.
During the second world war my Grandfather (Fred Pardoe) was stationed on the South East coastline. His role was to operate the large anti-aircraft guns that would shoot down Nazi planes and the V1 flying bombs as they flew towards our coastline.
While Fred was away defending our country, my Grandmother took her children to visit her eldest daughter in Weoley Castle who had married and thankfully left home.
My Auntie was obviously worried about her Mother and younger family members going back home to Rocky Lane and insisted that the family stayed the night in Weoley Castle.
Thankfully they took her advice and stayed the night. The next morning they went home to Rocky Lane. When they arrived home their home had been bombed during the night. The house was flattened, with smoke and flames coming from the rubble. All people in neighbouring properties had been killed during the nights bombings.
If it wasn’t for the fact that my auntie had insisted the family stay in Weoley Castle that particular night, this side of the Pardoe family would not exist.
If anyone has any pictures of Rocky Lane during this time, I would very much appreciate seeing them, hopefully some of the bombed houses.
I have many good memories of my Grandfather and our regular fishing trips. Fred sadly passed away in or around 1984.
Would love to see some family photo’s if you please have any to post ?.
Below is an interesting link to a wartime news feature. It shows the role Fred played during WW2 with fellow servicemen and women desperatley shooting at the flying V1 bombs and enemy aircraft.
https://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//B.../BGU409190026/
Thanks.
Vee Dub 71