大象传媒

Edward was aged 11 or 12 when this story took place. He lived in Bremner Street, Liverpool. The story took place on 28th November during the worst shelling disaster of the war.

Edward and his family sheltered ubderteh stairs during the bombing.

Mrs Taff (or Taft ?) was a warden and very active in training people with the stirrup pump for example.

'This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by 大象传媒 Radio Merseyside鈥檚 People鈥檚 War team on behalf of the author and has been added to the site with his / her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.'
A land mine landed on the, what ws known as the "dole school" (for the unemployed).This school was reputed to have the best sagfety and therefore was sort out for shelter during the bombing.

A landmine a.k.a a paracute bomb landed on the college. The result was horrific. The boilers of the school exploded. There was steam, fumes and mayham in the darkness. Their were subterranean passages under the school and the men resciung were reluctant to go in and help for the very real fear of being lost.

Mrs Taft had knowledge of the building and along with volunteers helped rescue people. Edward had no idea how many people were rescued.Mrs Taft sustained cuts and brusies herself in the rescue. Many people owed their life to Mrs Taft - including Edwards friend.

Mrs Taft received no recognition for her bravery. Even when Churchill got to hear about it, the incident had to be muted because of 'the effect on morale' if the story got out.

Edward was looking in Picton library recently and came across a chapter in a book on the blitz and Mrs Taft was mentioned.It was one of the mysteries of the war why she never got any recognition. People alive today will probably remeber her.

After the war Mrs Taft just became part of the community.

Edward remembers Mrs Taft as to him ( as a child) as on 'old' woman -aged about 44 /45. I still remeber her frizzy hair and tin hat!

Mrs Taft used to give lessons on how to use a stirrup pump and Edward and his pals thought it 'wrong' that a woman should be instructing men in how to do things. They dropped a brick in her bucket of water and caused the water to splash all over her.
When the lad reappeared Mrs Taft was waiting for them and drenched them with a jet of water from her stirrup pump!
Mrs Taft had a sense of humour!!

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