- Contributed by听
- bushmills_library
- People in story:听
- This story was submitted to the People's War site by Olga McKee on behalf of Mrs Doris McKay and has been added to the site with her permission.
- Location of story:听
- Ashmore Street, Belfast
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A2808533
- Contributed on:听
- 05 July 2004
Mrs Doris McKay (nee Wright)
In 1941 two years after war was declared my father John Wright died on the 2nd March. Five weeks later on 14th April the city of Belfast was bombed. My mother, my 15 year old sister and I at 11 years old were living at 7 Ashmore Street (opposite a school). Coombe Barbours was in the same street and was used for making munitions. Mackies foundry was also near by. These were the targets for the German bombers and on that Tuesday 14/15th April the house along with two shops were destroyed by a landmine. We had gone into a neighbour鈥檚 house further up the street. The ARP came to find if we were still in the rubble. My mother was standing with the house keys in her hand. She was left bereaved with no husband, house or money.
We were taken to a school in our nightclothes, given help and fed. We were then taken to a school in Lisburn for a week then on to Hillsborough for two weeks before being allocated a house in Annalong with three other families.
When we left No 7 that night both ends of the street were in flames and the whistle of bombs was horrific.
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