Fireman Fred standing in front of the Gas Storage Tank before it was bombed. Middlesbrough 1941
- Contributed by
- Sir Davey
- People in story:
- Fred and Olive Williams
- Location of story:
- Middlesbrough
- Background to story:
- Civilian Force
- Article ID:
- A6879234
- Contributed on:
- 11 November 2005
My grandad, Fred Williams, was a firefighter in Middlesbrough during the war. Olive, his eldest daughter and my mother, was only a small child of 5 when the conflict started. The family lived in Carter Street in the centre of town and nearby there was a large gas storage tank on Cannon Street.
One night there was an air raid and the gas tank was hit directly by a bomb causing an almighty explosion that rocked the street and lit up the night sky. Everybody including young Olive came outside to see.
It was the most memorable wartime event that Mam can recall. She and the other kids in her street thought it was a great display. They had no sense of the seriousness of the situation. It was just a lot of fun and excitement for her as Fred and the rest of the firefighters struggled to control the blaze.
© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.
Recommended story
Story with photo 