大象传媒

My Grandmother, Rachel Doris Newell was badly injured in the raids on Hull in May 1941. Her husband, Wilfred Newell was on Fire Watch (ARP) when a Land Mine?? dropped on the house at 2 Foston Grove just as the rest of the family were going down to the Anderson Shelter. (Wilfred was away from the house.)

The three daughters, Jean, Brenda and Gwen (living in Hull, Leeds and Derby respectively at today's date) were just inside the shelter as the explosion occurred. They were no doubt saved by Rachel Newell as she pushed them ahead of her in to the Anderson.

Rachel Newell was taken to Seacroft Emergency Hospital, Leeds, but died on the 11th / 12th May of her head injuries from the blast. The daughters were looked after by relatives at Rose Villa, New Ellerby for some while after the event. Communications were nigh impossible at the time, and copies of telegrams sent bear the words "house bombed" with the address crossed out. Another pencil inscription across the corner of the telegram informing Wilfred Newell of the dangerous illness of Rachel reads poignantly "Too Late", indicating that the intended message was not forwarded before she passed away.

As a Primary School Headteacher, I have used the story of the heroism of the Grandmother that I never had the privilege to meet, in school assembly and history lessons, where appropriate, to portray the sacrifice of ordinary people in time of conflict, and to celebrate her contribution to the world we now have.

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