The Nuneaton Blitz Seventieth Anniversary

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

SomeOld grave North stones Warwickshire in Atherstone villages were hit too - see the North Warwickshire pages. cemetery

NUNEATON AND NORTH WARWICKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY JOURNAL www.nnwfhs.org.uk July 2011 Price £2 (first copy free to members)

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

The opinions expressed in articles in the Journal are Contents those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor or of NNWFHS. Editorial Page 2 Copyright notice. Read all about it! Newspapers as a resource Page 2 Chairman‘s report Page 3 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be Nuneaton Barrs family history Page 4 reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, Books for family history Page 6 recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Networking Page 7 Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society. Attleborough gardener dug up in New Zealand Page 8 Personal data. The Nuneaton Blitz Page 9 Chilvers Coton bombings, I remember them only too well! The Society holds personal data on our members – identity and contact details provided on application and renewal forms. Page 10 Under the Data Protection Act 1998 we can hold sufficient data to Bomber crash in Nuneaton and its connection with Fred Fowler run the Society, but no more. The data must also be accurate, from Chilvers Coton Page 12 kept up to date and not held for longer than necessary. To comply with the Act we will hold documents supporting current Blitz recollections from Jim Stevenson Page 13 membership. This will usually be the last completed application Mike Sharrod‘s wartime memories Page 14 or renewal form. Earlier documentation will be destroyed. In the Where the bombs fell (comprehensive list) Page 14 event of a member not renewing by the due date, previous documents will be held for a further four months in case of late The Close Page 16 renewal. Information about local archives Page 17 For ease of administration, an up to date copy of your personal data will be held on an electronic database with your consent. It The North Warwickshire Pages Page 18 will be assumed that you agree to this unless you tell us Bombing of North Warwickshire Villages Page 18 otherwise. If you do not agree to us holding such data Help wanted and a thank-you note Page 20 electronically please contact the Membership Secretary. Data held electronically will be subject to the same retention policy as Seeing your family in its community Page 20 clerical data. New members and their interests, and changes to members‘ contact details Page 21 ii

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Editorial scary red entries alleged to be viruses. In the Chairman‘s report Peter refers They aren’t. Alternatively they may to the book about to be published by direct you to a website which Much of this edition covers the David Sidwell, one of our members. downloads a bogus ‗virus checker‘ Nuneaton blitz, but other parts of The launch date will be later this year which promptly shows up dozens of North Warwickshire were also and further details will be included in viruses. They will then persuade you bombed, albeit by accident. In the October Journal including an to download software that will get rid modern parlance I suppose this would article by David on the lengthy (but of the virus infection. At a price be ―collateral damage‖. The position rewarding) journey to publication. I naturally! At best you will have paid a of the impacts indicates the bombers hope his experiences will encourage lot of money for a useless piece of were returning from a raid on others with a story to tell to take the software, at worst you will have Birmingham, possibly aiming for the plunge and go into print. downloaded a malicious programme spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich. that will steal your data and possibly Either unused bombs were jettisoned take control of your computer. And on the way home or the bomb aimer you will have given your credit card was wide of his mark. Ironically an A warning for computer users. details to a bunch of criminals. evacuee from Birmingham was killed by one of the bombs. A new scam is going the rounds. Out If you get a call like this it is not of the blue you receive a telephone genuine. But the people behind it can Elsewhere we have the story of a call from Microsoft or an Internet be very persuasive and very painting of an Attleborough gardener Security Company. They have convincing. Do not be suckered in. that ended up in New Zealand. I received information that your Put the ‗phone down immediately remember it being shown on Antiques computer is infected by a virus. They before they have chance to get at you! Roadshow years ago and was will ask you to switch on your pleasantly surprised to find that Peter computer and go on to ‗prove‘ you John Parton Lee had tracked it down in New have a virus by either getting you to Zealand. navigate to a dialogue showing lots of

Read All About It!

Nuneaton & North Warwickshire Family History Society‘s recent meeting held at the Chilvers Coton Heritage Centre, was addressed by Richard Ratcliff, well-known speaker and author of family history guides. He discussed old newspapers and their usefulness.

The beginning of newspapers and the taxes levied on them by government was explained along with some of the ruses of editors and publishers to avoid payment of the tax! He described the development of transport - the arrival of turnpike roads and the first mail coaches enabling papers to be dispersed to further flung parts. At a time when many could not read, local coffee houses would have the papers read aloud, and no doubt gained more trade in the process.

Newspapers of the past reported national and international news – local papers often copying articles from national ones. However, papers were full of local advertisements for anything from cure-all pills to announcements of the arrival of the latest fabrics from Paris. Sales of property, and auctions were detailed, often with addresses and occupiers names. They also reported in great detail many local goings-on. One wedding announcement delighted in advising that the newly-weds were delivered of a son on the night of the marriage! Funeral reports frequently listed all the mourners and some included their relationship to the deceased – absolute ―gold‖ for any family history sleuth.

Local papers are often now the only means of discovering coroner‘s inquests with reports being more detailed than any remaining official records. These will often detail names of those giving evidence, which can include neighbours. And should your forebears have got on the wrong side of the law, there will be much heralded in the press. Accidents were also reported – there were plenty prior to the arrival of motor vehicles - so you may be surprised at what you read in the local papers of the past.

All this was in days when local happenings made the news, not the newspapers trying to make the news themselves!!

It was a delight to attend Richard Ratcliff‘s presentation: it is a long time since a meeting was addressed without electronic gadgetry. Richard spoke, with notes for his quotes from newspapers around the country, and set out a collection of original and facsimile papers, along with some associated family history items much enhanced by research in the ―local rag‖.

Many libraries hold copies of their local newspapers on microfilm. Be warned: reading them takes time as you are sidetracked by the fascinating detail of local life along with a range of advertisements that, today, would not be allowed to make such extensive claims! Jacqui Simkins

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Chairman’s Report guessed that in this migration members David Sidwell wrote some of the miners were to me about a set of note books chosen so their boss could field in which his grandfather wrote Two big C‘s occupy much of a good cricket team! But then his life‘s history. David had my work on your behalf and my the Coincidence continued. A copied them through the research at the moment. few weeks later a fellow in wonders of modern technology Context and Co-incidence. Let Manchester emailed me out of into written form and sent me a me give you an example. I the blue to enquire about a word document of his gave a talk to the Friends of house which once stood in grandfather‘s memoir. It was Whittleford Country Park last Hinckley Road, Nuneaton – terrific. Well written, eloquent, year. A lovely group of people The Briars. Enquiring about a peopled with great characters. who conserve a wildlife haven relative living there. I knew of David‘s grandfather was not a which has spread across the the large house, but it had wealthy man. He was a miner, footprint of the old gone way before my time. It and very often we think of Haunchwood Brick & Tile‘s Nr. stood where Briars Close now ourselves as not having 1 yard at Stockingford. The old is. Prompted by this enquiry a interesting lives. This book clay hole is a cool pool, the quick phone call to one of my turns that on its head. His life clay banks moulded into most trusted elderly residents was, as everybody‘s often is wooded glades. The locally established that it had very ordinary, but through his foundations of the old brickyard been used for some time prior impressive observation of still litter the site supporting a to WW2 as a residence for character and circumstance he rich assortment of wild flora single lady teachers at draws you back to an earlier and fauna. The brick stacking Nuneaton High School, then time. Not the tedious modern yard a grassy open space. My somehow I learned that the world of political correctness talk for them last year was ―The grandfather of my lady and the lack of respect we see Railways of Stockingford‖. A correspondent who had demonstrated so often in our lady came some distance, from contacted me about daily lives, but a warm and Stratford on Avon, from Stockingford Colliery had nostalgic England where memory, and presented herself rented the Briars and was the politeness, kindness, knowing to me after the talk. Her occupant after the relative of the difference between right grandfather had purchased my Manchester and wrong, good nature, Stockingford (Drybread) correspondent‘s relative. honesty, decency, common Colliery around about the First Through this remarkable set of sense, and making do with World War. He had come down circumstances the history of modest aspirations was the from Durham and brought the house blossomed as well norm. It was in fact as far as some of his miners with him. as the people who lived there. family history is concerned as The pit was not a good And so it goes on without end. good as it gets. So my appeal investment in the end. The lady Hardly a week goes by without to you is now – start writing up said he had chosen his a new set of facts and thrilling your life history. Everyone has Geordie miners carefully discoveries add flesh to the a story to tell and in two though – they were good at bare skeletons of our family generations time no-one will cricket! This is not something trees. know your story. You owe it to family historians expect when yourself and your family and to they look on the surface for the I have often wondered about others. Because they will want reason their ancestors make the consummation of all these to know the context of your life. the journey to another area. So facts and figures which we all David‘s Grandfather‘s book is it seems to me in the Context have at our disposal. Not least out soon (The Old Rebel – A of these movements of people, now the internet brings records Life in Nuneaton 1885-1960. by beyond the superficial reasons to our living room. But George Leonard Clarke. ISBN people move for work there something happened recently 9781 84914 086 7) I highly may well be underlying reasons that has brought into focus recommend it. which we have just not thought what I think is the pinnacle of about. But I could hardly have our hobby. One of our

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Century. By applying to the parlour of her daughter, my Nuneaton BARRS family Northampton Record Office I Aunt Mabel Kilworth‘s house in history - Part 2 found that Mary Ann had died Bracebridge Street, Nuneaton of cancer in Brigstock in April in a black Victorian style In an article in the April 2006 1854, but I still cannot find bombazine dress. It must have Journal Mr Barrs finished with a where she was born or who her been just before her death in plea for information on the family were. All I know is that 1932. I would have been six or death or burial of his she married William in seven. (Unbelievably a photo grandmother, Emily Barrs, nee Nuneaton in December 1825 a has surfaced of her sitting in Taylor, his great grandfather, few months after his father, that same dress) She had the John Barrs and the birth and Butler Barrs, died. He had been reputation of being something death of his great, great apprenticed to George Gee, a of a battleaxe and she grandmother, Mary Ann Barrs, ribbon weaver, in 1819 aged frightened the life out of me on nee Brindley. He had 14, so he must have broken his the one occasion I can succeeded in tracing the births, apprenticeship as soon as his remember her. marriages and deaths of all his father died to be able to marry Barrs ancestors in a direct line Mary Ann as apprentices were Last year I was browsing the from Thomas, born in not allowed to marry. On the website of the Birmingham Bulkington at the end of the birth certificate of their first Family History Society when I 16th. Century right up to the child, Hannah, born in 1826 his came on lists of memorial marriage of William, his occupation is given as ‗Tanner‗. headstones for Chilvers Coton. great,great grandfather to Mary William must have married his I was actually looking for my Ann Brindley in Nuneaton second wife, Eliza, in 1855 as great grandfather John Barrs in1825. To lose the thread in they had a baby, Mary,( after who I thought might be buried the 19th. Century was Mary Ann?) in April 1856 who in Aston as his last census frustrating to say the least. He died at just four days old. Their record had shown him living now brings the story up to date. second child, Ada, was born in there with all his family, 1858. In the 1861 census including Stephen, my William and Eliza were living in grandfather. As it happened, Al Barrs in Florida, who‘s Budge Street, Brigstock with by accident, I found the record ancestors were related to mine Ada aged 3 and a son-in-law of a memorial stone in Chilvers in the 17th. Century seems to Alfred Viccars aged 15: I Coton graveyard not only of my find contacts from all over the suspect this was Eliza‘s son by grandfather but on the same world who feed him tit bits of her first marriage. If so Viccars gravestone was the name of information, including a bit from was Eliza‘s name when she Emily, my grandmother. a lady in Northampton who married William. sent him a list of Barrs in Stephen Barrs, Beloved Northamptonshire. He passed In the 1871 Census William husband of Emily Barrs Died it on to me and low and behold and his son, William Butler, are March 21 1929 aged 72 years there was my great, great found to be living on their own Also his beloved wife Emily grandfather William, in in Little Brigstock, so what Died December 21 1932 aged Brigstock, married to an Eliza happened to Eliza, Ada, and 78 years ?? with a young daughter, Ada. Alfred? William died in 1885 I knew it was my grandfather and William Butler worked on I wonder who dreamt that up. because living with them was the railway in Emily was born in 1862 (I have his son William Butler Barrs. Northamptonshire for a time a copy of her birth certificate) The Butler name has been a before returning to Nuneaton which would have made her 70 regular in my family since where he died and was buried when she died not 78. 1734. So, what happened to in in Nuneaton cemetery in Mary Ann? 1907. My dad passed on the Barrs William had worked in a One down - two to go! family bible to me when he tannery in Nuneaton and I died. It was started by found that Brigstock had had a I have one abiding memory of granddad Stephen after he and large tannery in the 19th my grandmother Emily sitting in Emily got married in 1880. In it

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

someone has recorded the in the 1861 census he was an September 1861: after the dates of the deaths of both engine driver in Aston, census. So grandma Sarah Stephen and Emily. According Birmingham together with his returned to Nuneaton with her to this record Emily died on the wife and six children: his last six boys. 21st of December 1932, just 5 child, Butler,(again!) was born days after her 70th. Birthday. in 1861, after the census, and All the time I was growing up Stephen‘s death certificate died in 1865. However, in the in Nuneaton and before I knew shows he died in Nuneaton 1871 census Sarah was back anything about my family and was buried in Nuneaton in Nuneaton at 21 Abbey Street history, I was led to believe that Cemetry, So it appeared that with the six boys, but without my Dad‘s uncles, John and Emily must have died in her husband John. Arthur, had walked from Goole Nuneaton as well. At this point I in Yorkshire to Nuneaton to find thought my search was over - Contrary to expectations my work. I can‘t remember how I no such luck. I applied for grandmother, Emily, did get came by this information; it Emily‘s certificate from married again in Nuneaton at seemed to be something I had Nuneaton - for the second time 70 years of age to Alfred always known. I can quite - but this time I could give them Davies. They married in believe that I had somehow definite dates to search for. October 1929. That was quick! misconstrued the story except The answer came back, ‗not on - Granddad Stephen only died for the fact that when my son our patch: try Coventry.‘ But no in March 1929. She died in started researching the family luck there either. December 1932, after 3 years history after my dad died he of married bliss…if Alfred believed the same thing- he My only contemporary relative, lasted that long? I cannot find thought his granddad had told a cousin, who is 86 and lives in when or where he died. My him: so much so that he Hinckley, says she can cousin and I were under the started his family history remember as a child wandering impression that Emily died in research in Goole. My cousin, into family gatherings and Nuneaton workhouse. It now Margaret, in Hinckley was catching mention of grandma transpires we might have been under the same illusion as me Emily before a deafening right. I have obtained a copy of and was sure that her dad, my silence would descend when her death certificate which uncle George, had told her the she would be ushered out of states that she died at 52 same tale. the room - remarks not for College Street, Nuneaton. childish ears! We both grew up Could that have been the She was quite shocked when I believing that she had died in address of the old workhouse - told her that I had found the workhouse, but there is no now demolished? documentary evidence to show mention in those records either. that far from walking from What other explanation is I also found out that her ‗boys‘ Yorkshire, the opposite was the there? Where did she die? (my uncles?) were in the habit case - they had walked from Surely no man would want to of being sent to collect the Nuneaton to Goole, run off with a grumpy Victorian rents from houses that she presumably to find work. And widow of 70 ! But what else owned. What happened to that as the eldest ( John) and could have happened to her? these houses? Just something the youngest (Arthur) sons of else never spoken of. John and Sarah, far from being So, what of the last piece of my of Yorkshire stock they were jigsaw… my great grandfather The last mystery. My great heir to a long line of John Barrs? He married grandfather, John, was last Warwickshire Barrs stretching Sarah Fairfield in 1849. They recorded in the 1861 census in back to Butler Barrs who had eight children altogether - Aston, Birmingham. Browsing married Hannah Randle in all boys. One, Thomas, born in the BMD web site I found three Nuneaton in 1788 and through 1850 died in infancy so they John Barrs‘ dying in Aston after him back to Thomas of named their next son Thomas 1861. Without paying for three Bulkington at the end of the in 1851. When they married, in death certificates I sent for one 16th Century. Nuneaton, John‘s occupation that looked most likely, and was given as a Tanner the there he was, after all this time. Mrs McIntyre of Cubbington same as his father, William. But He died of a heart attack in was doing some research for

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

me at Warwick at the time and Their first child, Ruth, was born and their children Dorothy and she found John on the 1881 in Wakefield in 1873 yet John Marjorie. The lady on the right is census in Wakefield. John had and Emma were married in ‘Madamoiselle’. Who is married Emma Ayres from King Birstall, Yorkshire in March Madamoiselle? Find out in the Swinford, Stafford and at the 1876(?) Their next child, John October issue when Tony concludes the story. census he was 32 years of Butler, was also born in age, was a tobacconist and Wakefield, in 1877. Beatrice had a daughter, Ruth Agnes: a Emma was born in Wakefield in son John Butler,(!) another 1879. Arthur and Agnes were daughter, Beatrice and a also married in Birstall, in 1879. domestic servant Ellen Bartlett! John Barrs died in Wakefield Arthur too was on the 1881 in 1897 aged 49 and his wife, Goole census. He had married Emma, died in 1898 aged 46. Agnes Ayres from Quarry Their three children were all Bank, Stafford was 22 years of married in Wakefield. Ruth (21) age and was a Railway Wagon 1894: Beatrice Emma (19) Examiner. Initially I formed the 1898. But I have a problem opinion that John and Arthur with John Butler. According to must have met Emma and the BMD web site, he was born

Agnes on a stopover in in 1877 but the same web site Staffordshire on their way to says he was married in 1902? Books for family history Yorkshire. But then I thought Was he married at 15? that Staffordshire was so far The Family History Partnership is a publishing company born in 2007 as a out of their way that it was There were no children shown result of the Federation of Family History more probable that the girls for Arthur on the 1881census. Societies closing its publications arm. The Partnership aims to produce useful guides were already in Goole or At 22 he had obviously not for all involved in family history research, Wakefield when the boys been married long and Agnes and to provide a means for specialist arrived, more than likely in was only 19. Their first child, authors to get their work into print. domestic service, that they Edith, was born in 1883 and his One of the 2011 publications is Poor Law were either sisters or, in view of last - of nine - Stephen Victor Records for Family Historians by Simon the difference in their ages - (Stephen after his brother, my Fowler. This handy, A5 book explains the ―old‖ and ―new‖ Poor Law, their records, 9years - and the fact that they granddad) in 1898. Sometime and what you can find in them. There are were born in different villages after Stephen‘s birth, possibly websites, bibliography, glossary of terms in Staffordshire, they were after the death of his wife‘s and key dates. Most family historians have someone who was in receipt of outdoor probably cousins. sister in 1898, he returned to relief, in the workhouse, in the workhouse However, due to the diligent Nuneaton with Agnes and the infirmary, or who relied on relief during the winter months but never actually appears researches of one of Arthur‘s children and went to work at on the census as receiving such. The great granddaughters, Sara Griff No. 4 colliery. Where he records available are patchy in some McEwan, in Canada, it is now was killed underground, respects, but where they do exist, they can provide a wealth of information. sure that they were indeed crushed by a runaway tub, sisters: their father was in1900. So Agnes was left with Most poor law records dealing with individuals are held in local record offices. Thomas Eyre a maltster in nine children aged from 17 - An earlier series, still in print, details where Kingswinford, Staffordshire and Edith, to 3 year old Stephen. Poor Law Union Records are located. As their mother was Emma. There many Unions straddled county boundaries, this listing is an invaluable guide to locate were two more girls and a ---ooOoo--- and unlock information. The volume brother in the family. It appears covering some 16 counties of the Midlands that Thomas and Emma moved Editor’s note and Northern England (including Warwickshire) was revised in 2008 by to Yorkshire sometime after Jeremy Gibson and Colin Rogers. 1881 to be near their daughters In July 1903 Edith married Albert as the died in that county; Ward a partner in the Nuneaton The Partnership‘s extensive range of publications can be viewed at Thomas in 1884 and Emma in firm of Kinson and Ward , Auctioneers. They were married www.familyhistorypartnership.co.uk with 1891. purchasing available by post, or via in Derby, Albert’s home town, and GenFair or Parish Chest. Take a look – and Also due to Sara I was able to then came to live in Manor Court have the plastic ready to flex! JS find more facts about John and Road, Nuneaton. The photograph Arthur and Emma and Agnes. shows Albert Ward, Edith (centre)

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Networking

This is nothing to do with computers or ―the ‗net‖; it is emphatically all about communication.

It is amazing what can result from a chance remark at a gathering of family history buffs! A recent incident occurred on the Help Desk at the Northwich Family History Fair (an annual February event run by the Family History Society of Cheshire, well worth a visit if you have the slightest link to Cheshire). Lyn McCulloch and I man the help desk which doubles with Lyn‘s As a result of the ensuing been able to provide the local ―Cheshire Farms Index‖ conversation, I was sent scans history group with my gt aunt‘s project. of some wonderful photographs memories of the village.

from around a century ago, I was chatting to a gentleman which are otherwise unknown Come along to the meetings at from the village of Mobberley in my family. I have shared Chilvers Coton Heritage Centre who was interested in the them with my one cousin on where there is always time to index. I casually remarked that side who is interested in chat over a coffee. We may about the BURGESS families family history and, so far, we even have a few more ―Bring and how just about every other have not managed to name Something Ancestral‖ sessions household in the village in 1841 many of the people on them. – otherwise known as ―show seemed to have BURGESSes! One of the most interesting and tell for grown ups‖. Keep This is one of my brick walls as photographs is of the Chapel an eye open for meeting dates there are too many Thomases, House Inn with my gt-gt-gt aunt and information. Josephs and Johns. The Sarah BURGESS in the gentleman then said how a late doorway. My gt-aunt‘s memoir Make the most of local family friend had given him a mentioned the sweet shop and history meetings or events! sketched BURGESS family you can just see sweetie jars in Don‘t be shy and retiring!! tree, which perhaps wouldn‘t the right hand window. Always chat to family help me as it tied into the Sarah‘s name is on the historians; never hold back GREENs who had a pub in licensee‘s board just from that chance remark when Knutsford, but he had some discernible in this reproduction a place, incident or surname photographs of the Mobberley – her cousin Clara was the coincides. You just never know family. I nearly dropped beer seller in 1901, and Sarah where a little networking may through the floor because my was there by 1911. lead or what rewards you might link is this same family who reap from some two-way kept the Golden Lion in the Isn‘t it wonderful when you can sharing. Market Place of Knutsford and tie a few things together with a who came from Mobberley. My visual artefact! All this arose Jacqui Simkins great aunt‘s memoir frequently from a chance remark at a mentions visits to the Knutsford Photo: Chapel House Inn, busy event – and the pub run by my gt gt gran. Mobberley with group including willingness to share, as I have Sarah BURGESS, licensee.

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Attleborough Gardener dug up in New Zealand

By Peter Lee

It is a remarkable where the journey will take you when researching local and family history, in this case an interest in Attleborough has led me to New Zealand in a sequence of coincidences which opened up a previously entirely forgotten window on life at Attleborough Hall in the 1880‘s.

A few years ago a painting appeared on the BBC TV programme ―Antiques Roadshow‖ by the well known nineteenth century Attleborough artist Martha (Patty) Townsend (1845-1907). Patty lived at Attleborough Hall with her large family and in 1888 married Joseph Fielding Johnson (1840-1917) who was the first mayor of the Borough of Nuneaton when it was incorporated in 1907. It was Mr. Fielding Johnson‘s second This portrait was painted by Patty Townsend and is an image of a marriage. Patty was a very fine much loved gardener at Attleborough Hall. It is believed to be artist and produced a number William Garratt (1827-1898). He lived in Albion Street (now the of paintings of Nuneaton and Albion Buildings). The red material just protruding under his battered its surrounding district as well hat indicates where he kept his lunch, wrapped in a red as a large body of work on handkerchief. It is fascinating to find this picture has turned up in other subjects. Her pictures are New Zealand 12000 miles from the village where William spent his very collectable today and it entire life. was good to see this one turn up on the TV and enable Patty Note Peter had to photograph this picture from the side to avoid to come to the attention of a reflections. I have corrected the perspective distortion, but in doing very large audience. Her five so have lost the ornate gilt frame. Ed. minutes of television fame at last. I gave it little thought beyond that until a set of In July 2010 I had an email was THE Thomas Townsend unique circumstances took me from a lady in New Zealand, (1812-1892) of Attleborough to New Zealand to see the Jan Brock, who was looking for Hall. A flurry of emails followed original painting, and to view an the father of a girl from and Jan brought to my original family album of photos Bedworth called Sarah Walker attention the fact that she had of the Townsend family, (1816-1900). Sarah married an original photograph album Attleborough Hall and grounds Thomas Townsend in taken in the grounds of the Hall in the 1880‘s. Bedworth in 1835. A light went when Thomas and Sarah on in my head. I instantly celebrated their 50th wedding recognised the marriage. This anniversary. Surrounded by

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

their large family and friends in the weaving trade, he moved the wall on the right in the the beautiful grounds in the first to Coventry where he dining room. This is an spring sunshine of May 1885. started a weaving business intimate portrait of the inside of There were more pictures of which prospered, then the lovely family home of the views inside the hall, and to top purchased the Albion buildings Townsends. it all she had in her possession with their top shop weaving the original painting as seen on sheds before establishing a mill ―Antiques Roadshow‖ at her at the rear of the Albion home in Napier, New Zealand. Buildings in the 1850‘s. Old timers in Nuneaton will A trip to New Zealand followed remember the mill later on after and Jan and her husband it was taken over by Lister‘s of David showed me their lovely Manningham. The business album and the original painting. was purchased by Listers after Needless to say in this article I Thomas Townsend died. His can only scratch the surface of was a truly epic rags to riches this remarkable story. Thomas story which I will deal with in Townsend of Bedworth, the another article. son of a coal miner, came from very poor and humble roots but However, back to my quest, went on to make his fortune in which I can now share with you. I went to meet Jan and her husband David in the handsome art deco town of Napier in New Zealand.

From Jan Brock‘s family album of Attleborough Hall in the 1880‘s we can see old William‘s picture hanging on

Pictures Above: Attleborough Hall about 1905 when Joseph Fielding Johnson lived there with his wife Patty Townsend the daughter of Thomas Townsend. Right upper: The picture on the dining room wall Right lower: Jan and David Brock and Peter Lee (left) at their home in Napier examine the photograph album of views taken in the 1880‘s of the family home of the Townsends at Attleborough Hall.

The Blitz – the following pages cover the Nuneaton Blitz as remembered by local people. Some North Warwickshire villages were also on the receiving end of German bombers which sadly killed some evacuees. Celia Parton tells their story.

Dornier bomber of the type that crashed in Nuneaton

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton bombings I remember, only too well!!

By Clive A A Ball and neighbour (name not landed in the bath. The flames known) over the fields; as they were soon put out by a bucket I was born on 14th September got to the stile in Croft Rd of sand and a stirrup pump put 1937 at 149 Heath End Rd, opposite Stanleys brickworks the fire out in the burning roof Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton, 2 (they would be walking towards timbers. In the late 1900‘s the doors from the Co-Op. the ‗Hare and Hounds Public area of Rosemary roof tiles House) they could see their where the incendiary bomb had When WWII started Dad was in homes burning in the distance. gone through could still picked the Home Guard at Griff No.4 They ran home as fast as they out in the roof colour. colliery and was made could but their houses and lives sergeant and he served in that were in ruins. On a few occasions our front capacity all through the war, he room windows were blown in used to sleep with his Stengun I can remember, the following from explosions, splinters of under the bed – ready for morning seeing the ARP etc, glass in the room, furniture, the action! digging to rescue any survivors piano had marks in it where it out of the pile of rubble where had been hit from flying glass; 17th May 1941. Nuneaton Blitz. the houses formerly stood, now they were too deep to ‗polish Not far from where we lived at a pile of bricks and timber in a out‘. Many other houses in the 149 Heath End Rd , during the mangled up pile; they heard a area suffered a similar plight. night, bombs dropped about scrabbling noise and dug like 100 yards or so from our hell, it was dog, they gave it a 11th January 1942. On another house. 13 People killed were drop of Brandy and it ran off! I occasion the back bedroom as follows:- never knew what happened to ceiling came down as a result it after that. of the bombing so my sister Marjorie and I had to sleep in Address First name Surname Around this time Lord Somers the single bed in the box room. presented the Bermuda troop In the night of 11th January 171 Heath End Rd Doreen R Carr of Boy Scouts with the Scouts 1942 there was a terrific noise, 171 Heath End Rd Edward Sheffield Gold Cross for the assistance the whole room was a vermilion 171 Heath End Rd Gladys May Sheffield that the scouts gave to the Fire colour (remember that we had 236 Heath End Rd Gladys Harris Service. I wasn‘t in the Cubs or blackout curtaining up) Marjorie 236 Heath End Rd Mary Millington Ball Scouts. grabbed hold of me very tightly 236 Heath End Rd Ronald Frederick Harris and the very loud noise of what 238 Heath End Rd. Sarah Ellen Sutton Another night the air raid siren transpired to be a Dornier 217 238 Heath End Rd. Thomas Randolph Sutton went off and ‗Jerry‘ came over that had been hit by shell fire, 238 Heath End Rd. Walter Albert John Sutton dropping bombs. We were in skimmed over our roof top and 240 Heath End Rd. Ada Maude Sutton the Anderson air raid shelter in the house on the opposite side 240 Heath End Rd. Alice Doreen Sutton the garden, heard a bang and of the road and crashed in a 240 Heath End Rd. Margaret Ann Sutton cries of ‗Ball‘s house is on fire, field not far away, (within about 240 Heath End Rd. Rose Hannah Moore Ball‘s house is on fire‘ and then 200 yards). The shells the sound of running feet and exploding in the burning NB. Mary Millington Ball was the figures of people running wreckage could be heard the not related to our Ball family. past the air raid shelter door in following day as we sat at our silhouette. Later I heard that lessons in school. My Dad took In the 1960s (when I worked at my Father climbed a ladder me to see it the following Newdigate Colliery) a member and was hanging off the gutter evening. of the plate laying gang, a Mr. trying to beat the flames out! Harris who used to live at We were ‗posh‘, our house was At 22.10hrs on 10th January No.236 told me that he worked built in 1935/6 and had a 1942 the Dornier 217 loaded at Haunchwood colliery and bathroom; the cause of the fire with 4 x 500lb bombs took off was on his way home from was an incendiary bomb that from Soesterberg, Holland, for work, at night, on foot, the had gone through the roof and Liverpool because of bad journey took him and a friend

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

weather conditions it was soon in the front garden of a house up). He had found a shell near off course, somewhere over the at Galley Common. Flight to the crater that the plane left Wash it was ‗hit‘ by a plane Mechanic- Oberfeld Webel, and had hit it with a brick piloted by Wing Commander Herbert Leppien, was found causing the shell to explode. ‗cats eyes‘ Cunningham. The with a broken leg by the canal crew bailed out over the at Ansty (Ansley?). Various Some German POW‘s from Nuneaton area. items jettisoned from the plane Arbury Hall worked on the were found between Sunnyside rebuilding of Chivers Coton Pilot- Oberfeld Webber, Paul and Heath End Road . Church , I personally knew 2 of Wolfe, surrendered at a police them, Max Hatzinger (holder of house at Arley. Unter offizer- Sometime later a 11 years old the Iron Cross) a Wieland, Willi, surrendered to a boy, from the village of sculptor/mason/artisan and a signalman at Griff and Coton Bermuda blew part of his hand highly skilled joiner/cabinet signal box. Wireless operator- off (4th and little finger and part maker named Henri? worked Obergefreiter Vancano, Hans, of his palm of his left hand; I on restoration. Henri died was found with a broken pelvis only saw it after it had healed c1983.

Form 3A 1952 Arbury Secondary Modern School Greenmoor Road Nuneaton Some of the survivors of the Nuneaton Blitz

Front row left to right:- Peter Wood; Norman Raisen; Reginald Cope; Leslie Bannister; Ronald Cooper; Tom Male; Colin Packwood; Timothy F Daft. 2nd row:- Marlene Fletcher; Margaret Payne; Pauline Dalby; Eileen Pinnegar; Marion Moore; Barbara Williams; Josie Carter; Sylvia Chamberlain; Veronica Sutton. 3rd row:- Roy Evans; Cynthia Wibberley; Sylvia James; Janet Walker; Rita Boffin; Ann Constable; Ann Beck; Josie Ensor; Margaret Marshall; Dorothy Edgington; Kenneth Storer. Back row:- Brian Fletcher; Alan Birchall; John Thomas; Terrance Latimer; Garfield Jones; Mr.Peter V.Moss (form teacher); Clive Ball ; Michael Denny; John Pritchard; Jeffrey Hall. Missing from picture:- Brian Clews; Pamela Alexander; Janet Smith.

Many members will remember the late Norman Raisen (pictured above). He was a member and committee member for many years. Ed

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Sue Hubbard has memories of the same bomber crash. Her father was a policeman called to guard the crash site.

German bomber crash in Nuneaton and its connection with Fred Fowler from Chilvers Coton.

During World War II Fred Fowler was a well known local hairdresser in Coton conducting his business from 99 Coton Road not far from Coton Arches. But at night he was a war time policeman, PC PWR339, stationed at Nuneaton Police station in Coton Road. From here he Fred’s hairdressers shop at 99 Coton Road policed the streets and was on duty through some of the worst when homes and shops in bombing, witnessing at first Chilvers Coton hand the terrible aftermath. were demolished to make way for One memorable event was the new road when he was called to attend through Coton to and guard the crash site of the Coventry. German bomber which came ---ooOoo--- down in flames over Nuneaton in January 1942. Whilst there Account by Sue he retrieved a German belt Hubbard who is buckle from the wreckage Fred’s youngest inscribed (HAMBURG NOWA daughter. 1938). It has remained in the family ever since as a memory Sue also provided of those terrible days. further material confirming the An extract from his police note injury to the boy book of 1939 mentions the first who found a experimental blackouts to take cannon shell and place in Nuneaton, starting on hit it. It was later July 13th 1939 near Coton said that the Arches and others that followed Dornier was on the 9th and 10th of August carrying a piece 1939, sometime before the first of new trial bombing raid on Nuneaton equipment which which occurred on the 25th revealed much August 1940. valuable information to After the war Fred continued as British scientists and Fred Fowler PC PWR339 a hairdresser until the 1960s engineers.

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

More memories of the Blitz

through the crater. sand-bagged and they exploded it. Recollections from Jim Now he was a big I‘d never thought about it Stevenson chap—bigger than the before, but wonder how the one pictured here, and selling process worked in the Nuneaton Cattle Market those machines are market while food rationing was The market kept functioning not that large so it on. Was it still sold to the through most of the War looked like he‘d overbalance. highest bidder, or was there despite But some scotch was some sort of price fixing in one of the bombs leaving a big at stake so off he set. The place? Maybe somebody a bit crater near the road. crater was pretty deep and he older than me recalls. I cannot remember the name of drove down, leaning right the business – it was an back…and up other side where Metal working agricultural dealer just inside he had to lean forward. We all There used to be a garage with the market, on the Newdegate had a good laugh…but he did it workshops up near Abbey Hotel side of the market. He and likely it sold the machine Green. When we needed sold machinery and probably too, seeing what it could anything making, dad would other stuff too. tackle. take me into town on market day and drop me off. I was allowed to use the metal working lathe in the workshop. Well, this one day dad dropped me off and I thought there was something odd in the wink given to dad. After the usual pleasantries and explaining what I needed to make this time, I went through to the workshops that were now busy…and full of girls and women making parts for munitions. I‘d be about 14 I think. You can imagine the comments from them…I was so embarrassed!! Anyway, I got the piece made and beat a hasty retreat.

I can‘t remember if his home was bombed, or if he decided to move the family out to the country, but they came to the cottages opposite the farm for Restored Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies tractor of the type featured. a time. I think every workshop in the area was pressed into

munitions work – those girls He was always on for a bet. There was another bomb close were there every time I went He had a small to the market – it was in the after that. horticultural tractor on tracks – bank by the river. They dug it could have been a and dug, but it was in the quick

Ransomes‘ one – and some of sand and kept going further the farmers bet him to drive it under. In the end, it was all

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Mike Sharrod’s Wartime our neighbours - was built in have a very clear memory of a Memories our back garden. From then on difficult ride through rubble- I don't remember being strewn roads, particularly so I was born in 1929 and lived frightened, just very confident between Attleborough and the with my parents and younger that we were safe - even when school when I had to carry my sister at no.11 Gypsy Lane an anti-aircraft shell (that had bicycle over the completely from then until 1949. not exploded in the air) blocked road. But I don't Memories of wartime bombings landed in the garden and blew remember having any time off from my early teens are an apple tree out of the ground. school even when it was obviously disjointed but these The anti-aircraft guns were in bombed when we sat in a room are what I do remember. the field behind the even- of the headmaster‘s house My first experience I found very numbered houses opposite. muffled in coat and scarf with frightening --- my sister, mother The nearest bomb to us hit the snow in the corner where it had and I cowering in the corner of local shop at the White Stone come in through a hole in the our living room as bombs garage and we children were roof. After that we moved to the planes and guns made noise round first thing next morning Girls‘ High School for a while all around on what I assume to for all the goodies that were until temporary class rooms be the night of either the being given away. were added to KEGS when, Nuneaton or first Coventry blitz. unfortunately, we had to move As a result of that night, a I cycled each school day to back. shelter - which we shared with King Edward‘s Grammar and I

The Nuneaton Blitz 1940-2 Where the Bombs Fell

The bombing of Nuneaton started on August 25, 1940 and the last air-raid was on July 28, 1942. In this two-year period many people were killed or injured with much damage to properties in the town. In several cases it has not been possible to indicate where a bomb fell with complete accuracy, but in most cases it is accurate. It is also possible to trace a stick of bombs, although they could not be recorded as they have dropped.

Each local authority was obliged to keep an Air-Raid Register, in which was recorded any bomb damage and where possible the number and type of bomb dropped, i.e: HE = high explosive or 1B = incendiary bombs. Numbers of persons killed or injured and any UX8=unexploded bombs. The raids all took place through the night, where the dates are consecutive, e.g: August 27 and 28, it does not necessarily mean that there were two separate raids, but simply before midnight and after.

In most cases the bombs appear to have been dropped indiscriminately as there is not an obvious target. To drop bombs on a town such as Nuneaton can only be to demoralise the inhabitants. Why, on November 11, were 150 incendiary bombs dropped in a field between Weddington and Caldecote? Poor visibility, poor aiming, who knows?

1940 10. Marston Jabbett. August 25: 11. Home Park Road. 1. Coventry Road/Gypsy Lane. 1 incendiary bomb. October 29: August 27: 12. Hill Farm, Griff. Incendiary bombs. 2. Weddington Lane/Caldecote Lane corner, opposite school. 9 high 13. Cherry Tree Inn, Westbury Road. Stockingford. 1 high explosive, 2 explosive, 20 incendiary, 2 UXB. killed. 1 injured. August 28: 14. Crow Hill allotments. 1 UXB. 3. Weddington Road near Post Office. 1 high explosive, 3 killed, 9 15. Arbury wood. 100 incendiary bombs. injured. 16. Griff Hollows. 1 UXB. 4. Co-op Farm (Hill Farm) canal side. 17. Griff House Cottage. 2 incendiary bombs. 5. Boon's (Judkins) quarry, Tuttle Hill. 18. 367, Heath End Road, damage to six houses. 1 high explosive. 6. Between water tower and spinny. 19. Field between Higham Lane and Brookdale Road. 1 high explosive. October 21: 20. Hinckley Road. 1 high explosive. 7. Gypsy Lane, near Sterling Metals. 21. Gypsy Lane. 3 high explosive. October 28: 22. Gypsy Lane, near Sterling Metals. 1 UXB. 8. Gypsy Lane. November 11: 9. Railway line near canal. 23. Between Weddington and Caldecote. 150 incendiary bombs.

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

November 14: December 4: 24. Round Towers, Stockingford. 50 incendiary bombs. 34. Boon's Quarry (Judkins). 4 high explosive, 2 injured. 25. Gypsy Lane toward Bulkington. 3 high explosive. 35. Tuttle Hill. 50 incendiary bombs. 26. Regal Cinema, Lister Street, Attleborough. 1 high explosive, 1 December 12: killed, 2 injured. 36. Kem Street. November 15: 37. Coton Road. 27. Heath End Road, near Griff No.4 Pit. 5 high explosive. 38. Hinckley Road. 28. Trent Valley Station marshalling yards. 1 high explosive, 2 killed, 1 39. Pingles. injured. 40. Lutterworth Road. 29. Gypsy Lane, house damaged by AA shell. 30. Harefield Road car park (bus station). 1 UXB. This was the last raid of 1940, with 23 high explosives and over 1,000 31. Railway mainline near Gypsy Lane. 1 UXB. incendiary bombs falling. Ten people were killed and 15 injured with 32. Galley Common. 1 UXB. damage to houses from AA shells. November 19: 33. Bermuda Village. 1 UXB.

1941 76. Fife Street.1 high explosive. April 11: 77. Marlborough Road. 1 high explosive. 41. Anker Street. 78. Pool Bank Street. 1 high explosive. 42. 29, Attleborough Road. 2 high explosive, 1 killed. 79. Frank Street. 1 high explosive. 43. Gypsy Lane. 80. Bondgate. 1 high explosive. 44. Haunchwood Brick and Tile Co., near Stockingford Station. 2 high 81. Alexandra Street, rear of Palace Cinema (demolished). 1 high explosive. explosive. 82. Corporation Street. 1 high explosive. 45. Coton Road, near Roman Catholic Church. 1 high explosive. 83. Harefield Road. 1 high explosive. 46. Church Road, Stockingford. 1 high explosive. 84. Newtown Road. 1 high explosive. 47. Engineering works, Tuttle Hill. 85. Graham Stree/Central Avenue/Bath Road. 1 high explosive. 48. Daimler Works, Seymour Road. 1 killed. 86. 12. Attleborough Road. 1 high explosive. 49. Riversley Park. 1 UXB. 87. Midland Bank. 1 high explosive. May 17: 88. Kingsbridge Road. 1 high explosive. 50. Chapel in Coton Road. 1 incendiary bomb. 89. Pingles. 1 high explosive. 51. 193, Coventry Road. 1 incendiary bomb. 90. Manor Court Road/Manor Court Avenue. 1 high explosive. 52. Deacon Street. 1 high explosive. 91. St. Mary's Road. 1 high explosive. 53. Coton Road, junction with Edward Street. 1 high explosive. 92. Park Avenue School.1 high explosive. 54. Arden Road. 4 delayed action high explosive 93. Dempster House, Church Street. 1 high explosive. 55. Edward Street, opposite Harold Street.1 incendiary bomb. 94. Monty's Bus Garage, Attleborough Road. Damage reported by 56. Higham Lane, near Sands Farm. 1 high explosive. owner. 57. Weddington Road, near Weddington Hotel. 1 high explosive. 95. Heath End Road Post Office. 1 high explosive. 58. Near ARP Warden Post No. 25 (not known). 1 incendiary bomb. 96. Windsor Street/Alexandra Street. 1 high explosive. 59. Tunnel Road. Galley Common. 1 high explosive. 97. Fitton Street School. 1 high explosive. 60. Haunchwood Colliery, Galley Common. 1 incendiary bomb. 98. Glebe Road. 1 high explosive. 61. Brookdale Road. 1 incendiary bomb. 99. Heath End Road, near Chapel. 1 high explosive. 62. Caldwell Farm (now Caldwell Estate). 1 incendiary bomb. 100. Heath End Road, near Bermuda Road. 1 high explosive. 63. Nuneaton Timber Company. 1 incendiary bomb. 101. Albion Works, Attleborough. 1 high explosive. 64. Trent Valley Railway station.1 incendiary bomb. 102. Carmichaels, King Edward Road. 1 high explosive. 65. Castle Road, Weddington. 1 incendiary bomb. 103. Merrick's shop, Queen's Road, opposite Marlborough Road. 1 66. Tribune Offices, Church Street Vicarage Street. 1 incendiary bomb. high explosive, 10 killed. 67. Princes Street. 1 high explosive. 104. Seymour Road. 1 high explosive. 68. 6, College Street. 1 high explosive. 105. 12, 14 & 16, Ventnor Street. 1 high explosive. 69. Attleborough Road, opposite Attleborough Parish Church.1 high June 5: explosive. 106. Griff Lodge Farm.1 high explosive. 70. Griff Colliery. 1 incendiary bomb. 107. Field on Arbury Estate. 3 high explosive. 71. Tomkinson Road Recreation Ground, near to canal. 1 high June 12: explosive. 108. Field on Arbury Estate. 1 high explosive. 72. Tomkinson Road/Clifton Road. 1 high explosive. July 5: 73. Croft Road/Greenmoor Road. 1 high explosive. 109. Field 200 yards south of Bramcote Hospital. 1 high explosive. 74. Stretton Road. 1 high explosive. August 13: 75. Tuttle Hill. 1 incendiary bomb. 110. Gypsy Lane, 200 yards from Coventry Road. 2 high explosive.

1942 113. Briars Close, off Hinckley Road. January 19: 114. CIifton Road. 111. Graham Street/Central Avenue. 1 killed, 14 injured. 115. Frank Street School (now Nuneaton Mosque). 112. Whittleford Road. 32 injured, 18 trapped. 116. Norman Avenue.

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

117, Riversley Road. 152. 49, Bracebridge Street. 118. Higham Lane School. 153. Ensor's Quarry. 119. Gadsby Street. 154. Trent Road. 120. Weddington Road. 155. Field off Hinckley Road 121. Kingsbridge Road. 156. Hill (Hughes) Farm, Caldecote. 122. Princes Street. 157. Camp Hill Road. 123. Blackatree Road. 158. Rists Wire and Cable Factory, located in Courtalds factory. 124, Stockingford Railway Bridge. 159. Sterling Metals. 125. Haunchwood Road, near Cherry Tree Inn. 160. Tryan Road. 126. Whittleford Road blocked, 3 houses demolished. 161. Smith's Undertakers, Coton Road, opposite Ex-Servicemen's 127. Cross Street, between Eadie Street and Haunchwood Road. Club. 128. Norman Avenue. 162. 56, Willington Street. June 25: 163. Nuneaton Central Recreation Ground. 129. Hill Top. 164. Chilvers Coton Station. 130. Deacon Street. 165. Arthur Street. 131. Earls Road. 166. Railway line, half-mile from Midland (Abbey Street) Station. 132. Midland Road. 167. Park Farm, Plough Hill Road. 133. Camp Hill. 134. Trent Valley Station. Incendiary bombs started fire. This was the penultimate visit of the Luftwaffe, but it was the second 135. Nuneaton Dye Works (Drams), Newtown Road (MFI). worst air-raid the town had. It claimed the lives of 18 people and injured 136. Abbey Green/Midland Road/Manor Court Road. 42 more. A total of 36 high, explosive and over 6,500 incendiary bombs 137. Ritz Cinema, Abbey Street. were dropped. 138. Plough Hill Road. 139. Coton Road, near Catholic Church. July 28: 140. Blackatree Road, near Vernon's Lane. 168. Coton Road, opposite bus garage. 141. Brookdale Road. 169. Coton Road, London Laundry. 142. Whittleford Road. 170. Gadsby Street. 143. Corner of Coventry Road and Shepperton Street. 171. Attleborough Fields Farm. 144. Mancetter Road area. 172. Brookdale Road. 1UXB 145. Beaumont Road, opposite Manor Park School. 173. Pingles. Incendiary bombs. 146. Bridge Street. 147. Coton Road, near Riversley Road. 148. Near top of Tuttle Hill. There were no more air-raids after July 28. 149. Heath End Road. Pat Boucher 150. Stanley Road. 151. Plough Hill Road.

and his wife, who were ―Councillor‖ in question being Nuneaton Blitz – sheltering in the cellar, felt the either Charles Nutt (1776- The Close full force of a high explosive 1823) or his father. The ―Close‖ bomb and were killed. It was a was built in 1837 by Thomas

By Peter Lee great tragedy that Mr. Melly Robinson (1787-1840) and who had been a major later lived in by Joseph Fielding The great air raid on Nuneaton benefactor to the town should Johnson (1840-1917) who in May 1941 was remembered die in this way. He had given started the Nuneaton Wool & by many Nuneatonians as the the land for the laying out of Leather business close by in worst event in our collective Riversley Park in 1907 as well 1864. living memory. Great swathes as funds for planting and the of the town were wrecked and construction of the Nuneaton After Joseph Fielding Johnson thousands of properties Museum & Art Gallery which was married to the local water damaged. The one we see opened in 1917. colourist Patty Townsend in overleaf, the Close, was 1888, he moved into completely destroyed. The house itself ―the Close‖ Attleborough Hall, and the Unfortunately its owner, the was built on the site of a much Close was purchased by Mr. local pit owner, Edward older property known as Melly. Ferdinand Melly (1857-1941) ―Councillor‘s Yard‖. The

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

The results of German bombing at The Close 1941

Information about local archives

Birmingham Archives The information online is not easy to find your way around, and looking at the archives- only part of the website to check opening times will not warn of imminent closure. Their 'information' suggests that the upper floors of archives material are closing in July 2011 and stuff will not be available until some point in 2013...yes, 2013. They will try to deal with small enquiries by email. So the advice is, if you need anything that is in Birmingham archives, do it NOW. Remember the archive sections are closed every Monday and Tuesday as well.

Coventry Archives at the Herbert are apparently now open again, some 6 or so months after the flood of December! Wonder if they have now lagged the water pipes

Warwick Record Office is closed the first full week of each month, and also on every Monday.

Worcester Record Office (at County Hall) is also closed the first full week of each month. There are closures due there this year for a move, too. They be closing in November 2011 and re-opening at The Hive in July 2012 (yes, that is its name!). Some places in Warwickshire were ecclesiastically within the diocese of Worcester.

Northampton Record Office is closed on Mondays, too!

Leicestershire & Rutland Record Office seems to be open 6 days a week!

Lichfield Record Office - which houses BTs and pre-1858 wills for much of Warwickshire - remains open on weekdays. Bookings required.

In fact, if you need to do Midlands-area research you need to plan carefully due to all the closures for moves, regular "cataloguing" weeks and what have you. Some websites do not clearly proclaim closures/plans so if planning a trip - particularly if travelling considerable distance - do contact the record offices you need to visit, make sure they will be operating when you want to visit, and book in if you can. JS

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

The North Warwickshire Pages By Celia Parton

Bombing of North Albrighton who had died in four members of the Egan Warwickshire Villages 1938. family, father, mother and two children and three members of This year is the 70th Another bomb fell on Rose the Geary family, mother anniversary of the Nuneaton Cottage in Cart‘s Lane, Florence and her two sons, blitz. What is perhaps less well Grendon, killing three members Albert Henry, aged 20 and a known is that some north of the same family, Eliza Cart, fireman with the AFS and Warwickshire villages also her daughter Nellie Beatrice Kenneth aged 10. The Egan suffered at the hands of the and her widowed mother, Ann family consisted of William German bombers. On the Atkins. Not being born until Joseph, wife Christiana Rose night of 4th/5th June 1941, only after the war I have no and children Betty aged 5 and a few weeks after the personal memories but my Nial aged 4. They were Nuneaton bombings, Grendon, mother remembered that night. Catholics and were buried in Dordon and Kingsbury were all My parents didn‘t talk much Atherstone Cemetery. The hit by German bombs and 21 about the war; I suppose when register records that their persons were killed including 7 I was growing up in the 50s deaths were due to ―enemy children. people wanted to forget about action‖. Also killed at the the war and look to the future in Shortwoods that night was On that night the Germans peacetime but that night John Thomas Chetwynd, an Air were returning from a raid on obviously stood out in her Raid Warden doing his rounds. Birmingham when they decided memory. My family lived close to unload their unused bombs. to Cart‘s Lane in Little Brum, My eldest brother was a ten The first one fell on Woodside just on the other side of Boot year old schoolboy at the time. Cottages in Grendon. These Hill. She remembered the He remembers that Baddesley were near to Grendon Wood, at terrific blast when the bomb School was closed the day the end of Maypole Lane. Here landed. It was so loud she after the bombings and so he six people were killed, mother swore she would never be and some of his mates went and son, Ada Ellen and Sidney afraid of thunder again (but of and saw the bomb damage George Gardner, aged 7, course she was). At the back looking for shrapnel (as young Alfred Albrighton and his aunt of the house we had a lean-to boys did). He also knew the Jane Mary Gertrude Albrighton, conservatory with a glass roof. Albrighton family as Alfred‘s and tragically and ironically, This was lifted up by the blast parents, William and Elizabeth two evacuees, 13 year old and it dropped back down were neighbours at Little Brum. Edith May Kingdon from again and amazingly not one Apparently Alfred had lived Dagenham, Essex and 12 year pane of glass was broken. She next door to his parents before old Lawrence Brown from also knew the three ladies who moving to Woodside Cottages. Erdington in Birmingham. Mrs were killed. He was a bee keeper and Gardner left behind a husband, thought that living next to an older son aged 14 and a Two more bombs fell in the Grendon Wood would be good daughter aged 13. close vicinity, one in Baddesley for the bees. He also knew the Wood where there were no Gardner family from school. Alfred Albrighton left a widow, casualties as there were no Incidentally, I found through Maggie. His aunt Jane was the houses, only a few large trees doing my family history widow of his uncle Arthur were uprooted, and another in research, that we are also Shortwoods, Dordon. Here related to the Albrighton family. eight more people were killed, My great great grandmother

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

was Elizabeth Albrighton so my Service and his wife May acted from a previous marriage and mother and Alfred Albrighton as telephonist taking any her boyfriend Jeff Smith. Jeff were third cousins once messages for him. On the was holding the little boy and removed although neither of night of 4th June he was on both were killed. them would have known that. duty as usual when the air raid warning came through. Mother Some thought it was a bomb Another memory from that time Mary usually came round to and others a land mine but was that a large tree from their house at such times as whichever it was it caused Baddesley wood was uprooted her husband was on night duty much damage. Two detached by the bomb and flung some at Kingsbury colliery. Stan and five semi-detached houses distance and landed in Dad‘s returned home at about 1.00am were severely damaged and allotment. He went and helped to check for any messages and either had to be completely or Dad saw the tree into logs for he was chatting to his wife and partially rebuilt. Twelve families firewood and the base of the mother when the house were made homeless. trunk was taken back home suddenly collapsed around where Dad used it as a them. May was trapped in the These are of course on a much chopping block. Waste not rubble and Mary was thrown smaller scale than the want not during wartime. against her and died almost bombings at Nuneaton and immediately. Stan also died. insignificant compared to the On the same night two houses May was found still alive by a damage and loss of life in Kingsbury were hit causing policeman and eventually was experienced in the big cities of the death of three adults and a rescued. She spent five weeks Birmingham and Coventry, but young child. Stan Sales and his in Tamworth General hospital that night stayed forever in the wife May lived at a house and eventually made a full memory of those who called ―St Gennys‖ on the recovery. witnessed it. Tamworth Road and his parents, Jack and Mary lived Two doors away at ―Blymhill‖ next door at ―Woodleigh‖. Stan lived Albert and Kath Wood Thanks to Carol Haines of was a volunteer with the together with their two year old Kingsbury History Group for the Tamworth Auxiliary Fire son, Kath‘s grown up daughter information on the Kingsbury bombings.

Note - the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site also lists civilian dead.

The map at left shows where the bombs fell in Baddesley and Dordon.

1. Maypole Lane 2. Carts Lane 3. Baddesley Wood 4. Shortwoods Dordon

Reproduced from an out-of- copyright Ordnance Survey map

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Help wanted – Abbey Green 1876 onwards

I am Ted Veasey's daughter in law. I am in the process of researching the area of Abbey Green and in particular from 1876 to show growth of the new development after the church was built. I am trying to show how this build brought skilled workmen into the town and they stayed....I have a lot of information from Ted‘s numerous articles and various books BUT wondered if any of your members have any information that would help. The Abbey of course gave the town its name and I feel it is time that we put Abbey Green area and specifically the church ...right at the centre of the town‘s history... I hope you can help Sally-Ann Veasey email [email protected]

A thank you note for a lady from Fazeley from David & Mary Woodroffe

We came to your talk on workhouses and enjoyed it very much. We live in Scotland but we visit the midlands for a month to do more research in the family History. We visited the Southwell Workhouse on the way home. They are the nicest people running it and are very helpful.

At your talk about workhouses we spoke to a number of people, including a lady who lives at Fazeley who was very helpful to us, I am sorry I didn't catch her name but she may remember our conversation. I wonder if you could tell her that we have found our church window that we were searching for and found the people we were looking for. We just wanted to say thank you to you all, and for a very welcoming visit.

Since 1996 we have been searching for a church window of which we have a painting, the children of the family were all christened at Fazeley church, but we couldn't find the window. What we did do, was meet up with Carol Graham at Fazeley church to look into parish records. We didn't find any reference to our family, so we went on to Stafford record office, still no luck.

Later in Tamworth library we found out from a very kind gentlemen called Chris what we were looking for, and he pointed us into the direction of Glascote church. We were very thrilled the next day to meet the secretary of the church, who showed us the window in the church. We visited the church yard and found a grave belonging to the father of our family. Just by chance we were by Knowle church and went in and found another church window dedicated to another branch of the family. This is all a very long winded story but the moral of the story is you won't always find what you are looking for in the records office but by meeting very kind and like minded people who helped on the way. So many thanks to you all.

Kind Regards David & Mary Woodroffe.

(Text taken from several emails and combined. Ed.)

Seeing your Family in its Community…

I often buy what might be interesting books at charity shops or second-hand book dealers. Some come for pence, some are, well, a bit expensive. A recent £1 purchase of ―might be useful background information‖ is David Hey‘s How Our Ancestors Lived – a history of life a hundred years ago. The National Archives first published this in 2002. Other books by David Hey have found a permanent place on my most easily reached bookshelf.

This latest acquisition has some really interesting material and I‘d recommend you delving into a copy. There are enlightening ideas for getting more out of the census information, and of combining it with other records to see your family within their community using actual family groups to explain the processes. Topics include migration, houses, earning a living, education, religion and leisure. It is well illustrated, too.

Although it was aimed to use with the then recently-released 1901 census, this book will hold its own as a source for what life was like at the commencement of the 20th century. JS

NNWFHS JOURNAL July 2011

Nuneaton and North Warwickshire Family History Society Journal

Newspapers as a source for family historians see page two

Windmillfield Atherstone