1941 air raid disaster explored
North Shields 1941. A single bomb from a lone enemy aircraft scores a direct hit on a public air raid shelter. 107 people are killed. It is one of the worst single bombings in the UK during World War 2.
This is the story of that disaster. In remembrance of those lost.
We're always interested to hear from families involved in or affected by the bombing at Wilkinsons. Please get in touch and tell us your story. There appears to be few contemporary photos of the surrounding streets and none at all of the Wilkinson's building itself. Perhaps you know different?
Eye-witness and survivor stories bring the events of that night into sharp focus. Can you add to the story of that night? Were you there or was a member of your family?
We have developed new resources for teachers to download and use in the classroom. Plus...Gateshead City Learning Centre offer WW2 / Home Front sessions based on Wilkinson's for local schools.
PHOTOS AND FILM FOOTAGE
Site clearance photos and official film footage
LUFTWAFFE STADTPLAN OF NORTH SHIELDS
Showing military targets
TYNEMOUTH BOROUGH BOMB MAP 1940-43 (DETAIL)
Where the bombs fell on May 3/4 1941
A PILOT'S VIEW
Aerial photograph of North Shields c1942
LUFTWAFFE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH
Marked with targets c1939
THE SHIELDS EVENING NEWS
What the paper said, May 5th 1941
THE TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Report to the Emergency Committee, May 14th 1941
RAIDS ELSEWHERE, MAY 3/4 1941
Home Security Operations bulletin no 44
OFFICIAL AIR RAID FIGURES
The Shields Evening News, Friday October 13, 1944.
AFTER THE RAID
Official guidance leaflet
AN AIR RAID WARDEN'S REPORT
A Control Guide for air raid wardens
MR BARRON'S DAMAGED DENTURES
A Personnel Damage form submission
MORTUARY FORM
For recovered Luftwaffe airman
DEATH OF A MERCHANT SEAMAN
Ships on the east coast had a terrible time
HOME GUARD
Preparing Civil Defence and Home Guard for invasion
CHURCH BELLS: INVASION WARNING
Instructions issued during the Battle of Britain
FOUR PIGS PUZZLE
Amusing example of popular propaganda
SALUTE THE SOLDIERS
National savings campaign
OTHER LOCAL WARTIME MEMORIES
More wartime memories from site visitors
We welcome your comments, questions and feedback. Please feel free to add your comments to any of the postings on this site or click here to make a general comment or say hello!. The majority are enabled for commenting. Please note that your contributions are moderated and are not guaranteed to be published on this website.
Robert Westall award-winning author of The Machine Gunners, was a North Shields schoolboy at the time of the shelter disaster. His father was an ARP warden. The Machine Gunners gives a vivid picture of what it was like to be a child during the Blitz.
Find out more || The Robert Westall Trail || Radio Documentary
Some people think that the internet is just for fun but as this wonderful site proves, it can be used for so much more.
Newcastle Journal
...a fascinating study that puts the horror of war on a very human scale
BBC Online Best of the Web Guide
This brilliant site...
Imperial War Museum
It is excellent and perfect for use in schools. I am really impressed by the organisation and information offered by the site. Superb.
Andrew Field: schoolhistory.co.uk
Seriously impressed by your website: will enhance my teaching no end...
David Williams: English Co-ordinator, Bothal Middle School
BECTA Guardian Website Awards 2002 - Shortlisted Final 10
Tyne and Wear Archives Service
Peter Hepplewhite, peter.hepplewhite@twmusuems.org.uk
T: 0191 232 6789
Website Peter Bolger, pbolger@ictgateshead.org, T: 0191 460 2900
info@northshields173.org
