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Birmingham air raids
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Radiorails
master brummie
I have a small booklet, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd for The Fire Service Benevolent Fund in 1944. Its objective was to raise funds by its purchase.
The title is 'In the service of the nation' with a sub title The NFS goes into action. The storyline is fictitious but was written by an un-named senior fire officer describing some the vents attended by firefighters during the second world war. The National Fire Service was formed early on in the war but did not become a legal entity until 1943! The Auxiliary Fire Service continued after the re-organization of the countries fire services in 1947 until around 1966. The FS benevolent fund has changed it name to The Fire Services Charity. You can always support it by attending one of their 'car washes'. I go to a local one but did get my car washed at a fire station in Oldbury after visiting the Black Country Museum. I was an area representative for twenty five years of the former FSNBF - hence the plug.
The title is 'In the service of the nation' with a sub title The NFS goes into action. The storyline is fictitious but was written by an un-named senior fire officer describing some the vents attended by firefighters during the second world war. The National Fire Service was formed early on in the war but did not become a legal entity until 1943! The Auxiliary Fire Service continued after the re-organization of the countries fire services in 1947 until around 1966. The FS benevolent fund has changed it name to The Fire Services Charity. You can always support it by attending one of their 'car washes'. I go to a local one but did get my car washed at a fire station in Oldbury after visiting the Black Country Museum. I was an area representative for twenty five years of the former FSNBF - hence the plug.
S
Stitcher
Guest
This bomb crater Is in a field off Lakey Lane Hall Green. The field was/is at the back of the house where I was born and raised and I have been told in the past that if you looked over the fence from our back garden you would have been facing the woman in the picture.
Steve R
master brummie
Hello all. I am conducting research for a second book. Some of you will recall that last year the volunteers of West Midlands police museum released a book called a Fair Cop for charity. So far we have paid our £4,000 cost's back and have already donated an additional £2,000 to charities for domestic violence and I take this opportunity to thank those of you that supported that project with information. So the second book, this will be Policing Birmingham in WWII. Whilst we do not have a confirmed name as yet or even a decision what the profits will go towards it is likely we will opt for the museum heritage project that is currently looking for a location for the new museum when Sparkhill Police station (were it is currently based) closes. I am hoping some of you can provide some information. Today I went to Sandwell Valley and to the Golf course at Hilltop. Adjacent to that is an old Gun Emplacement and I have attached some picture of this. I am hoping for additional information concerning what exactly was there. There are at least two Gun pits but signs of other long since collapsed building. Does anyone have any information? I am also looking for information on Rowheath Pavilion as we have an account for the book from a police messenger who states that Rockets were fired at the location which was another form of defence. Does anybody know of any existing surface brock shelter that still service, I am aware of the one that was at Pype Hayes but that has now gone or does anybody know of somebody that has an Anderson shelter in their back garden that I could photograph. What would be really nice would be to find some evidence of the bombing such as shrapnel and other air raid related stuff that I could photograph. Can anybody out there assist with the above or photographs that are not copyright protected that I could consider using.
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Hi Steve. In case you haven't seen it, we also have an Air Raid Shelter thread (link below) which might help with background research. Sounds like another interesting project. Viv.
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/air-raid-shelters.35513/
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/air-raid-shelters.35513/
well done with the sales of the first book steve...glad you covered the costs and also made £2000 on top for a worthy charity....good luck with the 2nd book profits of this for the museum heritage fund would be fantastic as i know you are all working very hard to find a new police museum venue...great photos by the way...i didnt even know about the sandwell valley gun emplacement...i am sure our members will be happy to help you with any information they can provide...as always steve good luck...
lyn
lyn
Radiorails
master brummie
There is much that you can research - I assume you live in or near the city.
This Forum has many threads that refer to industrial premises and factories that had their own defences such as pill boxes and even underground shelters and it is surprising what gems can arise in a thread where past reminisces are concerned. Make good use of the search facility - you may not get what you want first time so alter the wording and try again.
Following the loss of so much of the city's industrial heritage many of these structures have been demolished or erased but I am certain that records exist in the city's libraries of the city. Details of those such as the Lion Works (thread here on the Forum) are well documented as are certain WW2 artefacts at Longbridge Shadow factory and other large industrial places. Even department stores had provision for air raids. Some of these things still exist, such as anti aircraft gun emplacement structures in Sutton Park and Handsworth, a pill box at Lifford adjacent to the canal.
You might look into, if you haven't already, the working of the corporation: buses, trams, fire, ambulance, water, gas, electricity and the more difficult services such as rescue and removal of dead ans injured people. The water, gas and electricity supplies were a corporation affair at that time. I am sure the Police had much to do observing and policing much of this. For instance due to bombing of tram and bus garages many trams were stabled in the open further away from the city centre and major industrial premises. This proved a very successful move and I would not be surprised if the local bobbies were asked to keep a watchful eye on them.
I do recall policemen checking identity cards of people travelling on buses and trams. I do not know whether that was a regular occurrence or simply when looking for criminals, aliens or military deserters.
Much of this you already know probably, but hopefully there might be a comment or two which is helpful.
This Forum has many threads that refer to industrial premises and factories that had their own defences such as pill boxes and even underground shelters and it is surprising what gems can arise in a thread where past reminisces are concerned. Make good use of the search facility - you may not get what you want first time so alter the wording and try again.
Following the loss of so much of the city's industrial heritage many of these structures have been demolished or erased but I am certain that records exist in the city's libraries of the city. Details of those such as the Lion Works (thread here on the Forum) are well documented as are certain WW2 artefacts at Longbridge Shadow factory and other large industrial places. Even department stores had provision for air raids. Some of these things still exist, such as anti aircraft gun emplacement structures in Sutton Park and Handsworth, a pill box at Lifford adjacent to the canal.
You might look into, if you haven't already, the working of the corporation: buses, trams, fire, ambulance, water, gas, electricity and the more difficult services such as rescue and removal of dead ans injured people. The water, gas and electricity supplies were a corporation affair at that time. I am sure the Police had much to do observing and policing much of this. For instance due to bombing of tram and bus garages many trams were stabled in the open further away from the city centre and major industrial premises. This proved a very successful move and I would not be surprised if the local bobbies were asked to keep a watchful eye on them.
I do recall policemen checking identity cards of people travelling on buses and trams. I do not know whether that was a regular occurrence or simply when looking for criminals, aliens or military deserters.
Much of this you already know probably, but hopefully there might be a comment or two which is helpful.
cookie273uk
Gone but not forgotten
Radiorails, I think it was a regular occurrence, twice I was with my Mom on our way to Aston from Shirley to see our Nan, and were stopped outside the Market Hall by a PC, I think it was to make sure you were carrying your ID and no other reason, this was at the time of the bombings so would be 1940 -41 (I was 10 or 11 !). Strange how certain happenings stick in your mind. Eric
Radiorails
master brummie
Eric,
It is re-assuring that someone else remember these police checks. I remember that it seemed to happen on Stratford Road bus services, usually at Robin Hood island. We travelled to the city many different ways, I have no idea why, on buses and trains but it was usually after visiting someone - and then probably travelling with them - to town. You mention ID cards, well I never carried mine, my Guardian carried it, I still posses it however.
I wonder if the routes that travelled on minor roads were checked?
It is re-assuring that someone else remember these police checks. I remember that it seemed to happen on Stratford Road bus services, usually at Robin Hood island. We travelled to the city many different ways, I have no idea why, on buses and trains but it was usually after visiting someone - and then probably travelling with them - to town. You mention ID cards, well I never carried mine, my Guardian carried it, I still posses it however.
I wonder if the routes that travelled on minor roads were checked?
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Back in 2015 I uploaded a copy of my identity card issued when I was 4 years old and must have been security concious because I blurred out some details on it. I cannot understand why we do not have plastic ones with photographs today but the views of people against them prevailed.
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cookie273uk
Gone but not forgotten
Radiorails, I don't remember seeing my ID card, I suppose Mom carried it. We travelled to our Nan's every weekend and were never stopped on the Midland Red 'bus or the 3x Tram, only in the Bull Ring by the Market. Eric
cookie273uk
Gone but not forgotten
oldMohawk, I agree, in these uncertain times I think an ID card should be mandatory, other European countries have them, we had them during the war regardless of what people thought. Eric
Radiorails
master brummie
Possibly as the Midland Red were limited stop once over the city boundaries, had longer journeys and were a less frequent service and as such delays were more intrusive into their service timetable. Whereas the BCT stopped frequently, were far more frequent and were, I am sure, more able to adjust to delays as their journeys were shorter. Just a guess, mind you.
It was on a BCT route 37 bus that I immediately recall and never recall a 29A or Midland Red check, but I guess they happened.
Don't know if this was a general thing, but my mum was stopped on more than one occasion to check if she had her gas mask. The box often carried her dancing shoes, but not the mask. She had a few ticking offs over it. Viv.
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
The neighbours Anderson shelter I spent many a night in was converted to a shed, painted green, had a side window cut in, and moved near to the house. Many people converted them after the war. I've just had a look on Apple Maps and it appears to still be there. It was certainly there in 2001 because I saw it but cannot be 100% sure now because of the way Apple generates 3D objects but it looks familiar ..
cookie273uk
Gone but not forgotten
We never had an Anderson shelter, we had the indoor Morrison shelter which took the form of a large steel table when assembled, which we all clambered under during an air raid (2 adults and 3 children !). Don't remember what happened to that, maybe collected after the war ? Eric
Hi Guys a mention of the birmingham bomb raid dated 26/27 bomb explodes in front of the screen at the carlton cinema spark brook. 12 th november 1940 curzon street bombed. 13th november 1940 a daylight raid on the Austin car works and Another raid on birmingham 18th 19 th november 1940 the raid lasting nine hours and forty minutes BSA works badly damaged 53 dead
mw0njm.
A Brummie Dude
i have bought the book now. good reading
BrianE
knowlegable brummie
Thank you so very much for this map and and as it was decided my mum to go to Hereford to her sister for the birth of my sister on 13 Dec 1940
BrianE
knowlegable brummie
50th German bombing raid on Birmingham bombs fell on houses 1,3 & 5 Roderick Road, Sparkhill at the Osbourne Road end it also demolished about 15 houses in Osborne Road. The glass was shattered in the front windows of 28 my parents home.
Mum was eight months pregnant with my sister Doreen. She had decided to stay in Birmingham with my father, her sister Hilda in Wellington. Herefordshire had invited her to stay with her for her confinement, anyway after this terrible raid with the curtains shredded in the window on the broken glass Dad had a taxi to take her to Herefordshire, uncle Jack from number 38 went with them as did auntie Maud his wife who had their 11 month old baby Jeanette they also picked up mum‘s mother grandma at Mosley. They had to navigate the way for the for the taxi driver as all the signposts have been taken down. The two brothers and their parents set up home at number 38 where they lived until the bombing nights subsided.
The cleared bomb site remained undeveloped into the mid 1950s. When two new homes replaced the three original ones in Roderick Road. Also the sites in Osborne Road were similarly developed, however prior to this for 5 November bonfire night much wood was collected by local children and a huge fire lit on the site. Children would take their fireworks and let them off including a whole lot of 1d bangers. There was nothing like the modern limitations on letting off fireworks in those days. A great time was had by all.
This current photo shows No 5 a replacement house built about 1955 with No 7 an originally house built about 1894.
Mum was eight months pregnant with my sister Doreen. She had decided to stay in Birmingham with my father, her sister Hilda in Wellington. Herefordshire had invited her to stay with her for her confinement, anyway after this terrible raid with the curtains shredded in the window on the broken glass Dad had a taxi to take her to Herefordshire, uncle Jack from number 38 went with them as did auntie Maud his wife who had their 11 month old baby Jeanette they also picked up mum‘s mother grandma at Mosley. They had to navigate the way for the for the taxi driver as all the signposts have been taken down. The two brothers and their parents set up home at number 38 where they lived until the bombing nights subsided.
The cleared bomb site remained undeveloped into the mid 1950s. When two new homes replaced the three original ones in Roderick Road. Also the sites in Osborne Road were similarly developed, however prior to this for 5 November bonfire night much wood was collected by local children and a huge fire lit on the site. Children would take their fireworks and let them off including a whole lot of 1d bangers. There was nothing like the modern limitations on letting off fireworks in those days. A great time was had by all.
This current photo shows No 5 a replacement house built about 1955 with No 7 an originally house built about 1894.
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Radiorails
master brummie
Great time? Except for frightened animals.? 