Where was this in WW2 ?

[Vivienne14]

So many images of places in newspapers during the war years didn’t give a specific location, name of building or factory. Obviously this was important during wartime so that the enemy couldn’t use that information to their advantage. But perhaps we can now put names to some of these places.

If we can identify any posted to this thread I shall copy them to the appropriate thread.


#1
This is labelled as a sandbagged public building in Birmingham. Any ideas ? Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Astoness]

viv plenty of public buildings in the city centre back then and it would have been a high risk target but really it could be anywhere...will keeping thinking but do not recognise it yet

 

[mikejee]

Would definitely say it was a 20th Century building , probably post 1920. At first I thought Central fire station, but nothing like it.

 

[Astoness]

Would definitely say it was a 20th Century building , probably post 1920. At first I thought Central fire station, but nothing like it.

i agree with the date of the building mike but i am stumped at the min

lyn

 

[Ken_R]

Steelhouse Lane Police Station?

The 'central' entrance protudes between the 1st and 2nd windows to the right of the entrance. The left side of the 2nd photo.

The amount of protection would be logical with the cells being underground.

Can't let the poor 'baddies' be vulnerable can we.

 

[Astoness]

yep i think you have it ken

lyn

 

[mikejee]

I agree that the windows , brickwork look right, but the 1939 photo looks like on a bend or corner of the building

 

[oldMohawk]

I think Ken has definitely found the building

 

[Astoness]

i agree OM steelhouse lane police station...

lyn

 

[Ken_R]

I agree that the windows , brickwork look right, but the 1939 photo looks like on a bend or corner of the building

The road did indeed bend to the right to join.......was it Lancaster Street? I seem to remember a Curtain shop on the junction where the roads met. For some reason the name Dawkins comes to mind.

 

[Ken_R]

i agree OM steelhouse lane police station...

lyn

Well. There was a clue - Sherlock.

 

[Astoness]

omg ken i was too busy studying the building to notice pc plod

lyn

 

[annie56]

Would definitely say it was a 20th Century building , probably post 1920. At first I thought Central fire station, but nothing like it.

The road did indeed bend to the right to join.......was it Lancaster Street? I seem to remember a Curtain shop on the junction where the roads met. For some reason the name Dawkins comes to mind.

Sorry, the only contribution I can make... The curtain shop was Hawkins.. became a wine bar.

Annie

 

[Ken_R]

Annie. Great.

I wasn't far off. Only four keys variance on a Querty keypad.

Thanks.

 

[Bob Davis]

When did Birmingham police get their more ornate helmet, my remembrance is of a silvered band above the brim and possibly elsewhere. But look at the history in that picture. Sep 3rd, war declared, Sep 4th, Dixon has got his tin hat and his gas mask. Mind how you go.
Bob

 

[Vivienne14]

Great ‘detective’ work all. Sorry for pun.

Next up, a morale boosting visit from the King to a Birmingham munitions factory.

#2



Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[ChrisM]

This has to be Kynoch. The King visited it on 26th October 1939. A bit of research would uncover the identity of the men showing him around.

Chris

 

[Astoness]

This has to be Kynoch. The King visited it on 26th October 1939. A bit of research would uncover the identity of the men showing him around.

Chris

thanks chris i thought it could only be kynochs

lyn

 

[ChrisM]

In an image from the same day, the gentleman to the King's right is Sir Arthur Smout, Chairman at the time; and on his left, H. E. Jackson.



They appear also prominently in the press cuttings. Note the correct carrying of gas masks.

(On the same day, my father, brother and future brother-in-law would have been on site but it's a little late, now, to ask them if they caught a glimpse of their king).

Chris

(Image source: "Under Five Flags")

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks all, so Kynochs it is.

#3

Just a few days into the War and a lot of sandbag filling activity going on. But where in Birmingham ? Looks like a building site behind. Viv.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks all, so Kynochs it is.

#3

Just a few days into the War and a lot of sandbag filling activity going on. But where in Birmingham ? Looks like a building site behind. Viv.

View attachment 159715

Looks like this building next to the Hall of Memory.

 

[mikejee]

Did they dig up the gardens there then in the war?

 

[Vivienne14]

Looks like the gardens were also used to grow food by 1941. Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[Vivienne14]

#4
This one’s not so easy. There would have been quite a few recruiting centres in Birmingham. Think it might be a book shop sign behind the group. Or maybe it says “book room”. Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive

 

[pjmburns]

YMCA probably

 

[mikejee]

It apparently was at 27 Dale End

 

[maypolebaz]

#4
This one’s not so easy. There would have been quite a few recruiting centres in Birmingham. Think it might be a book shop sign behind the group. Or maybe it says “book room”. Viv.

View attachment 159735
Source: British Newspaper Archive

My Dad and his mate joined the rush to sign up when hostilities were declared. He was devastated when they told him to go home because 'they were doing it different this time'. He was an automobile electrician by trade and was eventually roped in for aircraft production.

 

[Vivienne14]

Someone may recognise the building in the first image. A difficult one. Viv.


Source: British Newspaper Archive