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53 workers killed at BSA

  • Thread starter Thread starter malvern
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malvern

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It is the sort of headlines that still sends a chill down your spine and makes you stop and think, but of course in 1940 it wasn't headline news, in fact due to wartime restriction on reporting, it just wasn't news at all and went unreported.

Every 19th November the day still goes largely unremembered and Birmingham does not want to erect a fitting memorial to it's worst ever factory air raid.

You see, these workers were not involved in building Spitfires but the parts for the guns that made Spitfires into useful weapons.

So please, this 19th, spare a thought for 53 people who have truly really been forgotten this month.

The website www.madeinbirmingham.org/bsamem.htm is down at the moment but it is hoped to have it back up this week. On the site there is a list of the dead and the decorated and news on the continuing campaign to get these true wartime heros some suitable recognition and respect.

JP
 
Malvern (JP), They will never be forgotten by me, RIP to all the victims. Good Luck with your memorial campaign. Len.
 
Malvern Good luck with the memorial I wasn't even aware of the date till you posted it..thank you:)
 
A friend of mine told me her uncle died at the BSA. They scrambled onto the roof to escape the fire and then jumped into the canal. He could not swim and would not jump so perished in the fire. The family were told this by a workmate who survived.
 
There are some horrendous stories surrounding this air raid. The main problem was the building was multi floored concrete beam construction and it collapsed internally with all the floors falling on top of each other. It is said it took six weeks to recover the last body.

I know the canal was pumped dry by the fire brigade in an attempt to put the fire out
 
Hi JP and welcome to the forum.:handshake: This is where I hang out in my spare time and I think you know my connection with BSA.

You may know that there are a few threads on here about the BSA?

Graham. (GW)
 
Thanks everyone and thanks GW--been on 'ere a while!

You know normally I am very proud to be a Brummie and proud of Birmingham's past achievements but I have to say this lack of a significant memorial to these people makes me feel very ashamed.

On two occasions I wrote to all 119 Birmingham Councillors about this and had 4 replies. Not one of the Small Heath councilors replied.

I wonder if, God forbid, 53 people were killed in a motorway pile up would there be such a 'non reaction'?

JP
 
I attended a very moving service of Remembrance of the Birmingham Blitz 1940-1943 and Thanksgiving service for the survivors on Saturday 27th 2008 at St Martins Church , Bull Ring, Birmingham.
We then gathered at the near by Memorial- The Tree of Life.

I know the BSA workers do not have a memorial in their own right , but they are not forgotten. Correct me if I am wrong but I feel sure their names are listed on the Tree of Life Memorial.


If you are free onTuesday November 11th- Barra Members will be meeting at The Tree of Life Memorial for Two minutes Silence then will proceed to St Martin's for a short service.

Next years Service of Rembembrance will be on September 26th at
St Martins.

Bo
 
Yes (you are correct) I have spoken to BARRA before on this subject as this campaign has been going on for a few years now.

But memorials in churches are only visible reminders to people who attend church. BSA by itself deserves more than having a roundabout called Poets Corner beside it (another insult). BSA was the largest manufacturer of armanants in this country and one of Birmingham's largest employers, that in itself is reason for memorial. If the Spitfire, which played a minor (but romantic) part in the war, can have a large memorial why can't workers and a company that provided employment in Birmingham through both wars have a memorial?
 
Just to clarify the Tree of Life is outside not inside St Martins opposite the market. It's a wonderful memorial and all thanks to the people of BARRA and the help of Prof Carl Chinn. It does include the people killed at the BSA. I have taken photo's of names for members of this site who lost family members in the air raids. They had a stall at Key Hill Cemetery in September a lovely couple were there still raising funds. Sorry to go off thread but I just wanted to clarify where the memorial is.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/image_galleries/tree_of_life_gallery.shtml?1
 
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Keep up the good work, JP, and thank you for reminding us.

You are quite right - this dreadful tragedy should certainly not be allowed to drift into oblivion like so much else. Yes, of course, it was "all a long time ago" but it still falls within the lifetime of some of us and there must be many relatives of the victims still living in the city. Great credit to BARRA for ensuring that a memorial exists dedicated to all the Birmingham people who lost their lives. But that does not eliminate the need for a way of commemorating those who were lost in a specific incident like this one.

As we pursue our comfortable 21st century lives it does none of us, young or old, any harm to be reminded of those times and the unimaginable sacrifices made.

Chris
 
Thanks Chris

Lets keep this post in front of everyone please--dont just view, comment, please.

These people and their families deserve our support.
 
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