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GENERAL W.V.S. REPORT ON FLYING BOMB RAID ON NEWPORT

JUNE 26th 1944.

The chief thing which impresses one is to vast amount of damage to the houses and the miraculously few casualties: only one death through blast and 14 persons treated at the First Aid Casualty Bureau, County Hall. Even the furniture does not seem to be much affected, even in the badly damaged houses. One hears of so many wonderful escapes, one can only marvel and be thankful.

REST CENTRE. Only one rest centre, St. John’s was used, though Mrs. Hogg opened the Mission Hall in case it was needed. At St. John’s Road Mrs. Jackson (leader) reports that 47 people spent the night and several others dropped in for odd cups of tea during the night. Several babies and children were cared for. Several stranded sailors also dropped in ! Only one casuatly, with glass in her arm; she was sent to her own doctor and the glass removed.
Tea was served continuously.
Breakfast 5a.m. — 8.a.m. Sandwiches and tea.
Lunch 20 people. Soup, potatoes, and rice pudding.
Tea 3p.m. Tea and biscuits.
Members from the Legh Richmond Hall and Castlehold Rest Centres sent relief during the day.
Billetting. There was some difficulty over this but eventually all were settled. Mrs. Launder (Barton Centre Billetting Office) and ||Mrs. Sheaf (Weslyan Centre Biletting officer) worked very hard trying to billet. They were called in as the St.John’s Biletting Officers were unable to report. Mrs. Dufton’s house being badly damaged in the raid and Mrs. Perry very ill — she died the following day. 27 families were eventually billeted, not all of whom passed through the Rest Centre.

The Clothing Officer, Miss Wood, visited the Rest Centre during the night and again in the early morning. Very little was needed as in most cases clothes had not been damaged. At the clothing store she issued 75 garments and taken 135 coupons.

Emergency Feeding. The L.E.F.O. Mrs. Hart, collected a staff from Carisbrooke, and was on duty by 9.0a.m. preparing tea and sandwiches for Repair Workers in Fairlee, Castle Road and Carisbrooke Road, as well as soup and sandwiches for the householders affected.
Mrs. Dennis at 12 High St. gave splendid help throughout the emergency.
The loudspeaker van went out announcing that meals were to be brought round, and meals were taken from house to house.
In the afternoon members of the Parkhurst Clothing Depot reported for duty and prepared teas to be taken out.

The following day Shide Cooking Depot and Barton took over. All these workers did splendidly and the meals taken out to the houses were very much appreciated. About three thousand meals in all were served.
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