- Contributed by听
- Anna Jones, Learning Project Manager
- People in story:听
- Joyce Norris
- Location of story:听
- Hither Green, London
- Background to story:听
- Civilian Force
- Article ID:听
- A5028879
- Contributed on:听
- 12 August 2005
"This story was submitted to the People's War site by Anna Jones of the 大象传媒 on behalf of Joyce Norris and has been added to the site with his permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions
Towards the end of the war - it was about 1944 - I remember when a shelter took a direct hit. I wasn't on duty as a firwoman when this happened but the shelter at Albion Way near Lewisham town centre was hit during a raid. Before the raid, my mother, who was quite a large lady, wasn't able to get into Albion Way shelter as it was very full and she couldn't get down the stairs. She was quite upset but went to another local shelter instead. Between 98-100 people were killed in Albion Way and only about 2 people survived. We knew a lot of them because it had been the local shelter for the market traders, stall holders and shopkeepers. Also a number 47 bus evacuated all of its passengers into that shelter.
Me and my mother were in the shelter next door. I remember hearing a loud crack and my mother had trouble hearing with her left ear after the explosion.
There's a plaque today outside Marks and Spencer in Lewisham to remember those killed.
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