The Griffiths family; front row left Gerald, then Peter, Second row left; Chris then Sheila, Third Row, left David, then Graham. Back row, Morgan and Marie. Photograph taken before they were bombed, the family is stood in front of the brick built Air Raid shelter, in Sunnydene, Brislington, that saved their lives on that fateful day of 26th April 1942.
- Contributed by听
- brssouthglosproject
- People in story:听
- David Robert Griffiths (son), Mother
- Location of story:听
- St. Annes, Bristol, Hinnegar Camp, Badminton, Gloucestershire
- Background to story:听
- Civilian
- Article ID:听
- A5343491
- Contributed on:听
- 26 August 2005
In Bristol when dad was away on the Minesweeper Bramble in the 1940s, the German Luftwaffe with their Heinkel and Dornier bombers would target the Bristol area. They would be escorted by long-range Messerschmitt fighters. There were daring and devastating attacks on the City and the Bristol Aeroplane Company at Filton. During one of these raids our house was bombed, on 26th April, 1942. The St Annes area was hit by a devastating Luftwaffe attack, casualties were high, and many were killed. My mother, myself, and four brothers and sisters were pulled out of the shelter by the ARP wardens. We were all very lucky to be alive that day. It is an abiding memory that I shall never forget. When dad came home there was just a pile of rubble where our house once stood, and the old brick shelter that saved us all. My father had to try and find us, as we were placed into different homes. He was fighting a war at sea, and this had happened.
It was awful, all we had was all we stood up in, our spirits were low, our minds a little shattered; we were taken to Hinnegar camp, near the Badminton estate, Gloucestershire, the start of recuperation for our family. We had never slept under canvas before, but it was a welcome break from the bombing. Being evacuated, the respite from the raids gave us time to physically recover, but the memories would stay with us forever. Our house in Sunnydene, Brislington, Bristol, was eventually rebuilt. We returned back there and we were a family again; the shelter was then a chicken house.
As the years go by I have been trying to get in touch with as many families as possible of the Bramble鈥檚 sailors, to reunite them so that they can learn more about the loved ones they lost, and the shipmates they sailed with, also a little about the gallant minesweeper Bramble.
I would gladly share the information I have. Many a good seaman lost their lives during the war years. The survivors, relatives and myself will never forget them.
漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo