Item Coventry Blitz (5 Viewers)

[Houchens Head]

I have a collection of photos from the morning after the blitz (and probably a few days after). Might dig them out if anyone wants a look?

Here are a handful that shows some of the damage inflicted on the city on that awful night. Sorry to use up space on the thread, but I think quite a few wanted to see them......
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[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Here are a handful that shows some of the damage inflicted on the city on that awful night. Sorry to use up space on the thread, but I think quite a few wanted to see them......
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The second photo is Beanfield Ave.

 

[hill83]

Here are a handful that shows some of the damage inflicted on the city on that awful night. Sorry to use up space on the thread, but I think quite a few wanted to see them......
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View attachment 16701

The second photo is Beanfield Ave.

Trying to pinpoint the exact location and I think I've got it. Tricky though.

Street View

 

[hill83]

 

[Houchens Head]

The second photo is Beanfield Ave.

The 1st and 2nd photos are the exact same location, just taken from one side of the dead body as the other.

 

[Houchens Head]

A few more (with locations)
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[The Great Eastern]

That's like in Norfolk where small coastal villages took bombs from the Germans on their way back to their bases on the continent.
Now ordered the book from Amazon. £9.35 sounded fair for a hardback copy.

Book arrived but a paperback. No matter. Its what's inside that matters.

 

[ovduk78]

A few more (with locations)
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Thank you for posting these photographs. The devastation in them has taken me aback, the people of Coventry were brave beyond my comprehension and to think that our relatives lived through the Blitz and then had to come to terms with what was left and rebuild Coventry.

My grandad was a real miserable old sod and I only found out how brave he was a few years ago and long after he had passed away, if I had known what he went through I would have been much more compassionate towards him.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Provost Howard got in a huge amount of trouble for proclaiming father forgive in Christmas sermon 1940. Instead of father forgive them

 

[Old Warwickshire lad]

Watched a play called “ One night in November “ at the Belgrade theatre a few years ago.
All about the night of the blitz. Great watch if ever they put it on again.
From what I have read, the Blexley code breakers knew there would be a large raid that night. But unfortunately didn’t know where.

 

[Cov kid 55]

Thanks for the photographs, Houch, amazing, and moving. And lots of interesting and moving stories from posters. I think we can all be proud of our heritage, even if a lot of us weren’t there at the time! I’m including a photograph of the book, for those that are interested. Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[christonabike]

I have a photo on the wall in our flat in Whoberley of the king walking thro the ruins of the cathedral and I have it and always will have it to show everyone who comes to visit the picture of what people sacrificed for us.
A post earlier mentioned Green Lane and the Daventry rd my mum and dad lived in Watercall Ave my mum still does and I’m told the A45 had wires spread across it to stop planes landing etc.
Many moons ago a chap on the old GMK site did a recall of what it was like in the bombings in the November if I’m remembering correctly a tearful read if you read it.
This city is a great one built on bravery tears and sticking together despite what people say.

 

[Houchens Head]

Watched a play called “ One night in November “ at the Belgrade theatre a few years ago.
All about the night of the blitz. Great watch if ever they put it on again.
From what I have read, the Blexley code breakers knew there would be a large raid that night. But unfortunately didn’t know where.

I remember that play being advertised WL, but sadly, never got round to seeing it. I recall it had great reviews.

 

[Houchens Head]

Just as an aside, I have two lovely pictures hanging in my hall. They are poems and I've typed out the words of "The Coventry I Remember", to make it easier to read. Very poignant and moving. A lovely dedication to the civilians who lost their lives that night.
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The Coventry I Remember by M S Garratt

I shall remember the city I love
Her tall spires gleaming, gold tipped above
Godiva processions, the ancient fair
And where the centuries met in Broadgate square
With glittering windows of bright modern shops
And above on the skyline old mossy rooftops
Peeping Tom staring at all who passed by
The great Market Clock, n’er telling a lie.

I shall remember the beauty of dawn
That shone on the wreck that November morn
Gone the old buildings, the pride of the city
And homes of the poor, O Lord have pity.
Yet brave were the smiles that shone through the tears
Though night must come with horror and fears
And still the proud spires looked up to the sky
Godiva’s fair city could never die

I shall remember the dear friends I knew
Who gave up their lives, “True Coventry Blue”
And the sirens that screamed as they laid them to rest
In one long grave, forever blessed
Our great Cathedral dim and all holy
With quiet sanctuary and care for the lowly
When the spirits of those from the ages passed
Did join in our prayers until the last

I must remember ‘ere Christ was dead
In pain and anguish still He said
‘Forgive them for they know not what they do’
And so on the day when our dreams come true
When the last “all clear” has died away
Let me remember Lord, that I might pray
My life for evermore shall worthier be
Of those who died for Coventry

And the other poem is called "The Ghost of Godiva"

 

[Cov kid 55]

Just as an aside, I have two lovely pictures hanging in my hall. They are poems and I've typed out the words of "The Coventry I Remember", to make it easier to read. Very poignant and moving. A lovely dedication to the civilians who lost their lives that night.
.

View attachment 16720

The Coventry I Remember by M S Garratt

I shall remember the city I love
Her tall spires gleaming, gold tipped above
Godiva processions, the ancient fair
And where the centuries met in Broadgate square
With glittering windows of bright modern shops
And above on the skyline old mossy rooftops
Peeping Tom staring at all who passed by
The great Market Clock, n’er telling a lie.

I shall remember the beauty of dawn
That shone on the wreck that November morn
Gone the old buildings, the pride of the city
And homes of the poor, O Lord have pity.
Yet brave were the smiles that shone through the tears
Though night must come with horror and fears
And still the proud spires looked up to the sky
Godiva’s fair city could never die

I shall remember the dear friends I knew
Who gave up their lives, “True Coventry Blue”
And the sirens that screamed as they laid them to rest
In one long grave, forever blessed
Our great Cathedral dim and all holy
With quiet sanctuary and care for the lowly
When the spirits of those from the ages passed
Did join in our prayers until the last

I must remember ‘ere Christ was dead
In pain and anguish still He said
‘Forgive them for they know not what they do’
And so on the day when our dreams come true
When the last “all clear” has died away
Let me remember Lord, that I might pray
My life for evermore shall worthier be
Of those who died for Coventry

And the other poem is called "The Ghost of Godiva"
View attachment 16721

Wow! Fantastic memorabilia ,Houch.

 

[lifeskyblue]

Just as an aside, I have two lovely pictures hanging in my hall. They are poems and I've typed out the words of "The Coventry I Remember", to make it easier to read. Very poignant and moving. A lovely dedication to the civilians who lost their lives that night.
.

View attachment 16720

The Coventry I Remember by M S Garratt

I shall remember the city I love
Her tall spires gleaming, gold tipped above
Godiva processions, the ancient fair
And where the centuries met in Broadgate square
With glittering windows of bright modern shops
And above on the skyline old mossy rooftops
Peeping Tom staring at all who passed by
The great Market Clock, n’er telling a lie.

I shall remember the beauty of dawn
That shone on the wreck that November morn
Gone the old buildings, the pride of the city
And homes of the poor, O Lord have pity.
Yet brave were the smiles that shone through the tears
Though night must come with horror and fears
And still the proud spires looked up to the sky
Godiva’s fair city could never die

I shall remember the dear friends I knew
Who gave up their lives, “True Coventry Blue”
And the sirens that screamed as they laid them to rest
In one long grave, forever blessed
Our great Cathedral dim and all holy
With quiet sanctuary and care for the lowly
When the spirits of those from the ages passed
Did join in our prayers until the last

I must remember ‘ere Christ was dead
In pain and anguish still He said
‘Forgive them for they know not what they do’
And so on the day when our dreams come true
When the last “all clear” has died away
Let me remember Lord, that I might pray
My life for evermore shall worthier be
Of those who died for Coventry

And the other poem is called "The Ghost of Godiva"
View attachment 16721

Thanks for sharing this.
Can’t wait to show my mum who was a young girl during the war. She and my late father and grandparents (when they were alive) occasionally shared their stories of the time.
Both grandmas talked of their fear as they bundled themselves into the air raid shelters...I still remember an Anderson shelter in one of their gardens (then used as a shed). For my dad it was an exciting time...exploring the bomb damage as a kid looking for ‘shrapnel’ and using the bomb sites as dens etc.
I have a bottle of whisky bought by one grandfather (on the eve of war) that was intended to be opened after the war but never was and lay forgotten.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hill83]

Not specifically Blitz related but this might interest people.

Britain From Above

 

[Old Warwickshire lad]

I remember that play being advertised WL, but sadly, never got round to seeing it. I recall it had great reviews.

If it ever comes round again it is a must see for anyone interested in that night.

 

[oscillatewildly]

I used to play on a bombsite at the top of Gulson Road opposite the hospital. This would be mid 50s.

You may well have unwittingly met my Dad then. Or even attended the same school? (Freddie Bird's)

 

[Cov kid 55]

Not specifically Blitz related but this might interest people.

Britain From Above

Interesting photographs, and what about the number of motor manufacturers, who had all switched production to support the war effort? No wonder Coventry was such a target. Fascinating to try and picture where things are now.

 

[hill83]

Interesting photographs, and what about the number of motor manufacturers, who had all switched production to support the war effort? No wonder Coventry was such a target. Fascinating to try and picture where things are now.

I love trying to match up locations to what they look like now. I managed to find my old house in wyken on there and it was on the only street in the area that had been built back then. It looks so different.

 

[Houchens Head]

Not specifically Blitz related but this might interest people.

Britain From Above

Great page hill83! I've saved to my favourites so I can browse at leisure.

 

[Houchens Head]

Wow! Fantastic memorabilia ,Houch.

Although I have no idea why Batman & Robin are riding Penny-Farthings in the 2nd picture! (at the top next to "A Fantasy of Coventry" banner)

 

[skyblueinBaku]

You may well have unwittingly met my Dad then. Or even attended the same school? (Freddie Bird's)

I went to All Saints.