First Major Air Raid 15 August 1940

Our family was living in Wallington
at the start of the war. Our house was very close to the perimeter of the airfield and a lot of the residents had moved elsewhere for safety but we had decided to stay put.
I was between leaving school and finding a job and on this particular day was at home on my own. My mother had gone to the shops with her friend, my dad was at work and my sister was at school and the only company I had was our dog "Ruff"
Suddenly I heard the sound of aircraft followed by a lot of noise and was so frightened that I headed straight into the back garden where we had excavated and installed a very primitive air raid shelter. I tried to get Ruff to come in with me, but he was barking ferociously at the planes overhead. I stayed in the shelter and then I heard the air raid siren giving the warning sound, a little late but I guess the raid had taken everyone by surprise.
We were to learn later that Croydon had become the target for the first major raid of the war on the London area and the neighbouring factories of British NSF, Bourjois and Redwing were severely damaged. Six airmen and over sixty civilians were killed.
Later, on the wireless we heard this news being announced which prompted my mum to write the following letter to her sister who lived in Wolverhampton (I still have the letter and am copying it exactly):-
Dear Hettie
I suppose you heard on the wireless about the bombing of Croydon Aerodrome. I was just walking up Foresters Drive with Daisy Fildew and we noticed the sky seemed alive with planes - but,being used to seeing so many go up from the drome, we looked up and I said "Bless their hearts".
We stood calmly gazing and suddenly heard explosions of some sort. Then we heard a terrific noise and between the houses backing on the Drome, I saw mountains of smoke. We dashed for our lives to Daisy's shelter and it seemed as if all the bombs were let loose all together. The bombing was marvellously accurate. There are factories on that side of the drome and I understand they were hit and I'm afraid there will be many casualties in one as they were still at work. It's a factory which makes aeroplane parts.
I was very upset to hear them announce it on the wireless as I knew you would be upset, that's why I am writing at once. Poor Jean was in the house alone, she ran to the shelter - the poor kid was terrified. We did not get a warning until the raid was practically over. They were dive bombers and it all happened very suddenly.
I suppose we shall get used to these shocks but doesn't it seem awful at first. Truly we are all in the front line and I suppose we must steel ourselves to be brave.
I believe at least one bomber was fetched down over the airport.
Funnily enough I had no fear except anxiety for the girls. Brenda was in the roads of Wallington and went into a nearby house.
God bless you dear, lots of love, Lil

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.