大象传媒

Ian's older brother had been dead for two days as the result of a concentrated German bombing raid on the Bristol Aeroplane Company (engines) factories at Patchway, Filton, Bristol 25th September 1940. More than seventy bombers caused havoc and many people were killed. Harold, a foreman electrician was one, dying from the blast of a direct hit when shepherding other workers into the shelter. Ironically, his was the only car in a full car park to survive without a scratch. Two other brothers searched all day until finding his body in a morgue at Hotwells.

"I was still at school," Ian told me, "and the overriding memory of the colossal loss of Harold was my mother's sigh. It began deep down; lasted an age and resonnated from every part of her body."

The 25th September that year was a Monday. Just two days later on Wednesday 27th when at home because his brother was lying dead, Ian heard the drone of aircraft again, rushed into the lane and waited until he could clearly see a squadron of Spitfires flying overhead (newly posted at Filton between Monday and Wednesday)- But German bombers behind and following the Spitfires from over Bristol into open country. Totally mystified by this at the time, he waited until the Spitfires banked, turned and, guns blazing, tore into the bombers.

"I never imagined or wish to see ever again the carnage that ensued during the next seconds," he said,"The sky was littered with material and human wreckage. Planes broke up and blew up in mid-air with debris everywhere falling from the blue as I stared, transfixed and hardly believing what was happening before my eyes."

His father's frantic yelling broke the spell as rushing from the house in a frenzy of fear he might lose a second son, "The shelter - quick - get to the shelter." Ian ran as he swears, "Faster than my legs could carry me," and fell down the shelter steps.

When he emerged again, only a minute or two later, it was all over with nothing to see in the sky and only the distant drone of engines. The entire squadron of Spitfires landed safely at Filton, and the wreckage of thirty three German bombers with their crews had fallen over a wide area of English countryside.

Another brother and sister were caught in the bombing of Parnall Aircraft in Yate, two miles away, in February 1941 when, again, many were killed. Ian actually saw a bomb leave one of the aircraft - from the top of a plum tree!

All the men in the family, save one who couldn't because of an ankle weakness, served throughout or for part of and immediately after the war. They all returned home, one with a serious injury, but all so thankful.

Footnote-
Ian served in the Royal Navy as an engineroom artificer 1946-1948 with the Mediterranean Fleet.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.