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Hartlepool and Scarborough were the primary targets for the German bombardment of the North East coast on the morning of 16 December 1914, but Whitby also suffered.

German ships seemed to be aiming at the coast guard station but ended up hitting the abbey. A nearby stable was also partially destroyed which has since been turned into a house.

A boy scout lost a leg as a result of the attack and received a telegram and a gift from Lord Baden-Powell. The present to cheer him up would be rather unusual for a boy in this day and age; it was a silver cigarette case.

Later, shrapnel from the raid became desirable items to own and school children at the time sold their finds to local shops. Some boys were angry to learn about the difference between the money they had received and the price the metal went for in the shops.

Location: Whitby Abbey, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4JT
Image shows a telegram by Baden Powell
With thanks to Teesside Archive for the oral history material
Presented by Jonathan Swingler

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