Blitz Com by dot Com a Blast !

Afternoon arrivals enjoy the sun

Saturday 7^th May 2011 saw the start of a two day exhibition organised by the East Yorkshire Family History Society to commemorate Kingston Upon Hull's worst night of the 1941 blitz. The exhibition was held at Carnegie Heritage Centre and with the help of volunteer groups such as the Heroes of Hull Web Site. The exhibition itself was an overwhelming success with the several hundred opening day visitors being treated to a flypast  by a  Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, which many watched from a sun drenched West Park.

Redcar Street - one of
many excellent graphic
comparisons on display

Once inside visitors could see WW2 arms, Civil Defence and WW2 paraphernalia, presentations, maps , pictures and much more. A local lady who had survey the blitz commented on what a wonderful achievement it was by a small group of enthusiast, to bring such a wonderful collection of information  to the public. Children  and young people also had the opportunity to learn about the history of their city and about what life had been like for their wartime ancestors.

An excellent day was had by all.

Plans for memorial

The following extract from BBC online, outlines the City’s hopes for a memorial that will finally give the city and the people lost in the Blitz, the recognition they deserve:

In total, 82 air raids left their mark on the city and its people, but at the time, Hull received little recognition for the damage it sustained.   

When air raids were reported in the media, it was often only referred to as a town on the North East coast.

German bombs left a lasting scar on the landscape, and there are hopes that a crumbling building could provide a fitting memorial to the civilians who lost their lives.

A small selection of the
 Blitz time memorabilia on display

The National Picture Theatre in Beverley Road was destroyed in an air raid, but the World War Memorial Trust now wants to turn it into an education centre with plaques for the 1,200 people who lost their lives in the raids.

Trust secretary Alan Canvess said: "We would hope that it would be a commemoration to those who died and a fitting tribute to those who served on the Home Front in Hull and nationwide."

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