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World War 2
In the embers
Coatham & Warrenby had it's share of misfortune in the second world war
Some Known Air Raids
HE – High Explosive Bombs.
6/7 May 1941
One HE fell on 14th Green on golf links some 200 yards from Warrenby School.one HE exploded on Redcar rocks.
8 May 1941
One HE fell in Tod Point Road. James Donnelly (52) was killed. A number of incendiary bombs fell in Corporation Road
"A man named James Donnelly was killed when HE bombs and incendiaries were dropped on another North-East coast town. Small fires were started but were mostly extinguished. There was slight damage to property" (Evening Gazette, 8 May 41)
11 July 1941
Two HE fell on the marshes on the south side of Redcar Wharf, causing neither damage nor casualties.
19 August 1941
One HE fell on Redcar Beach, close to the Coatham Hotel.
21 October 1941
One bomb dropped on the golf course and another in a field close by.
Four HE landed in fields of West Coatham Grange Farm.
One HE demolished 46 Queen Street and another struck the Zetland
Club, Coatham Road.
Fifteen people were killed and 16 injured.
4 November 1941
One 500kg unexploded bomb was removed from the blacksmith shop at Warrenby Works.
15 November 1941
Single aircraft dive-bombed Warrenby Works at 0927hrs while the sirens were sounding.
Two HEs were dropped. Nine persons killed, seventeen hospitalized (1 died later), thirty-two others with less serious injuries. Gas cleaning plant damaged. Further damage caused later due to gas explosions.
13 January 1942
Single raider dropped four HE on Warrenby Works.
Ten persons killed, five hospitalized, twenty-three with Less serious injuries.
Slight damage to mill boilers caused two days’ lost production.
15/16 April 1942
10 HE dropped in open areas around Redcar.
28/29 July 1942
Two unexploded bombs found close to Coatham railway bridge – some damage to the railway track.
14 December 1942 One HE fell on Warrenby Works.
17 December 1942 A returning Lancaster bomber was caught up in a raid and shot down in error by
Bofors gunners at Warrenby.
Entire crew of seven killed when plane crashed near Middle Farm, Dormanstown.
27 March 1943
Large number of incendiary bombs fell on the beach at Warrenby Marsh and four HE dropped into the sea just south of South Gare.
Sources: "Luftwaffe Over The North" Bill Norman,
1997 "Evening Gazette" researched by Jim White "Luftwaffe Over The North" Bill Norman,
Battle of Britain
50th Anniversary of Peace 1995
REDCAR & DORMANSTOWN 1939 - 1945 A BRIEF HISTORY
This is a very brief look at what occurred in the area during those troubled years. The information was gathered from books and records kept in the library at Redcar.
The Redcar season came to an abrupt end on the 3rd September 1939, when Great Britain declared war on Germany. Preparations had, though, been made since the beginning of the year in readiness.
A local National Service Committee was appointed forRedcar in January 1939 and a few months later a National Service Rally was held in the New
Pavilion.
Volunteers were also needed to complete Redcar's Civil Defence Service. Anderson and Morrison shelters were being hurriedly built in residents gardens and the like, as Redcar had been listed as "exposed to the liaibility of air attack". Public shelters were also erected throughout the town, one near the town clock. In 1940 fear of invasion was rife - directions and other road signs were removed and the military authorities closed the pier in September that year. The sand dunes adjacent to the golf club were shrewn with land mines. Huge blocks of concrete were used as barricades around the town. Special permits were issued to allow people such as fisherman onto the beaches. Although all these preparations were in progress a football match was held between Redcar Albion and the Green Howards.
On the 21st October 1941, three high explosive bombs fell on the town, one killing Doctor Robinson having fallen on his house, his housekeeper was also killed by this bomb. The second a
direct hit on the Zetland Club, killing the Mayor, Alderman Charlie Harris, other Councillors and prominent citizens. That area has to this day not been built upon and is now a rose garden opposite the Cenotaph in Coatham Road. On the 28th October of that year a combined memorial service was held at St. Peters Church for all the victims. Warrenby Steel Works suffered several air attacks, 10 men were killed and 49 men and women were injured during such an attack on the 15th November 1941, two months later more bombs fell and more people were killed and injured. Over a hundred Dormanstown residents were evacuated in December 1942 following an air raid when a bomb failed to explode in Wilton Avenue. The last bombing of the area was on the 22nd March 1943, fortunately there were no casualties. The unconditional surrender in Western Europe came on Tuesday 8th May 1945 and within 48 hours Redcar was alight with flags, streamers and bunting everywhere. Tea and Street Parties all around. The
war in the Far East was still going on and many local men served in that war zone. That war was soon to end and did so in August that year. Our thoughts are with those who didn't return.
REMEMBERED BY THE Royal British Legion |
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