BLACKSTOCK GARDENS BOMBING

During the evening of 20th December 1940 the air raid sirens rang out to warn Liverpool's people of the approach of the German Luftwaffe. The Vauxhall Road and Scotland Road ares were in the middle of the North Liverpool docklands that were prime targets for the enemy.

On hearing the sirens local people made their way to the shelters for safety. The tenements of Blackstock Gardens off Vauxhall Road housed a large concrete shelter within its grounds. Locals from the Gardens and the area made their way here. Two trams also stopped nearby to allow their passengers to escape the bombing. The shelter became so crowded that people were turned away and had to find refuge elsewhere. A number of residents of Blackstock Gardens decide to stay inside their homes during the raid.

 The green steel unit seen beyond the Eagle Pub is the former site ofBlackstock Gardens.

Blackstock Gardens pictured in 1934 above and below what was there before the Gardens in 1932.

Photo's courtesy of Liverpool Records Office

I can find nothing on record that states the time that the bomb hit the shelter, though many of the victims have listed 21st December 1940 as their date of death. So it is reasonable to assume that the impact occured in the early hours of the 21st. What we do know is the the bomb caused utter carnage and destruction. The shelter that was situated in the centre of the tenemants took a direct hit and bore the brunt of the blast with the shock waves blowing into the surrounding homes.  Rescue workers faced a grim task as they attempted to help the wounded and with the recovery of the dead.

A number of reports list the number of dead as up to 200. I have read through the civilian deaths for this period and have found 72 casualties linked to the Blackstock Gardens bombing. Allowing for the number of unidentified deaths I would still assume that 200 is probably too high a figure. However a number of deaths occurred within the immediate area that night during the fierce bombardment and these along with the Blackstock deaths could well reach up to and past 200.

   The Square in Blackstock Gardens. The bottom photo shows the location of the shelter

The censorship of the press in wartime prevented the story being reported in detail. To my utter disbelief I have found details recorded about this event to be very scarce, and I have to wonder have the victims just been forgotten about outside the community? Within the community they are anything but forgotten.

After the war ended the local church of St Bridget's held a procession every year around the parish to honour and remember those that died. People who witnessed it recall how moving it was. In 1968 the church and Blackstock Gardens were demolished and the prossesions ended.

However the local community never forgot what happended that night in 1940 and in 1998 a memorial was erected opposite the site of Blackstock Gardens in tribute to those that died. The local church of Our Lady of reconciliation began holding a yearly mass and a service at the memorial in honour of the victims. A heart warming tribute from a community that has refused to forget.

                                                                      The Blackstock Gardens memorial

                                                                    A stone placed upon the memorial

LIVERPOOL ECHO 21st DECEMBER 1940

“Heavy bombs dropped among the homes of people were taking their toll. A communal shelter was hit and it is feared there are many casualties. Several families were trapped beneath the debris of the homes and rescue squads and first aid parties worked heroically, also under fire, to release them.”

                                                  People gathering at one of the memorial services

LIVERPOOL ECHO 15th APRIL 1998

“I was in the shelter with my family when a lady threw herself on top of me to save my life. Her name was Mrs Wade and she was killed but I lived.” Joe Campbell

“We were lucky. Two trams stopped at the Gardens because the air raid was getting heavy and the people off the trams took our usual places in the shelter. We went to another shelter.” Chris Gill

                                  A poster from 200o advertising the remembrance mass

The story of Billy Bellis who was inside the shelter aged 11. He lost 7 members of his family in the bombing and was pulled from the debris by his father. Billy's story can be read on the Liverpool Monuments website on the link below.

 http://www.liverpoolmonuments.co.uk/warmemorials/blackstock13.htm

                                    Billy Bellis pictured at the Blackstock Gardens memorial

Many thanks to Pat Neill at Liverpool Monuments for the kind help with photographs and newspaper items.

Liverpool Monuments Website                 http://www.liverpoolmonuments.co.uk/index.html

Also thank you to Ged Fagan and Ron Formby.
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I have found details on 72 of the people who were killed by the bombing, they are listed below. I will continue to research those not mentioned and welcome any input.

MARY ANDREWS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 10. 
Daughter of Agnes Andrews, of 178 Fincham Road, and of the late Dennis Andrews. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

CATHERINE BELLIS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 14. 
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of William Bellis, and of Sarah Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

CECILIA BELLIS 
died 22/12/1940, aged 3.
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of William Bellis, and of Sarah Bellis. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens; died at Mill Road Infirmary. 

EDWARD BELLIS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 5 months.
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Son of William Bellis, and of Sarah Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

JOAN BELLIS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 7. 
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of William Bellis, and of Sarah Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

PATRICIA BELLIS 
21/12/1940, aged 5. 
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of William Bellis, and of Sarah Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

ROBERT BELLIS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3, 
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Son of William Bellis and of Sarah Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 
 Robert is the Twin of Cecilia listed above. 

SARAH BELLIS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 36. 
of 14A Blackstock Gardens. Wife of William Bellis. Died at Blackstock Gardens.

MARY BERRY
died 22/12/1940, aged 17.
of 7 Oswald Street. Died at Vauxhall Road.

JAMES BURKE
Aged 63

MARY BURKE
Aged 61

JAMES LEONARD BURTON
died 21/12/1940, aged 37.
Soldier, Driver, Royal Army Service Corps

ELLEN BYRNE
died 21/12/1940, aged 40.
of 4D Blackstock Street. Wife of Cpl. T. Byrne, R.A.F. Died at 4D Blackstock Street.

ELIZABETH JANET CLARK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 16. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of John Clark. Died at 6A Blackstock Gardens.  

JOHN CLARK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 54. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Died at 6A Blackstock Gardens. 

MARY CLARK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 22. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of John Clark. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

WILLIAM CLARK 
died 22/12/1940, aged 13. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Son of John Clark. Injured 21 December 1940, at 6A Blackstock Gardens; died at Mill Road Infirmary. 

FRANCIS CLARKE 
died 21/12/1940, aged 8. 
of 5D Blackstock Gardens. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John William Clarke. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

JOSEPH CLARKE 
died 21/12/1940, aged 11. 
of 5D Blackstock Gardens. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John William Clarke. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

ROSE ANNE CLEGG 
died 21/12/1940, aged 60. 
of 129 Blackstock Gardens. Widow of William Clegg. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

JAMES DURNEY 
died 21/12/1940, aged 7. 
of 16 Blackstock Gardens. Son of Richard Durney. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

MARY EBBS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 20. 
Daughter of Theresa Ebbs, of 2 Blackstock Street, and of the late George Ebbs. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

ANNE FITZPATRICK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 16 Months. 
of 2 Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Joseph and Anne Fitzpatrick. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

CHRISTOPHER FITZPATRICK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 6. 
of 2 Blackstock Gardens. Son of Joseph and Anne Fitzpatrick. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

EILEEN FITZPATRICK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3. 
of 2 Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Joseph and Anne Fitzpatrick. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

MARIE FITZPATRICK 
died 21/12/1940, aged 8. 
of 2 Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Joseph and Anne Fitzpatrick. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter.

CHRISTOPHER FLYNN 
died 22/12/1940, aged 11. 
of 2C Blackstock Gardens. Son of Gnr. Thomas Flynn, R.A., and of Elizabeth Ellen Flynn. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens Shelter; died at Royal Infirmary. 
 
ELEANOR FLYNN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3. 
of 2C Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Gnr. Thomas Flynn, R.A., and of Elizabeth Ellen Flynn. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 
 
ELIZABETH ELLEN FLYNN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 35. 
of 2c Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Gnr. Thomas Flynn, R.A. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

GERARD FLYNN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 14 Months. 
of 2c Blackstock Gardens. Son of Gnr. Thomas Flynn R.A., and of Elizabeth Ellen Flynn. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter.

MARY FLYNN
died 22/12/1940, aged59.
of 112C Vauxhall Road. Died at Vauxhall Road.

ROSE ANN GARDINER 
died 21/12/1940, aged 38. 
of 1B Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Hugh Gardiner. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 
 
MARGARET GARVEY 
died 21/12/1940, aged 20. 
of 11A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Daniel Garvey. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter.

SIDNEY EDWARD GOODWIN
died 22/12/1940, aged 7.Son of James Goodwin,
of 31B Bidden Street. Died at Mill Road Infirmary.

ISABELLA HENDERSON 
died 21/12/1940, aged 68. 
of 1B Blackstock Gardens. Widow of James Henderson. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

ELLEN HUGHES 
died between 21/12/1940 and 31/12/1940, aged 15. 
of 6B Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of John Hughes. Died at 65 Blackstock Gardens.

JOSEPH KEARNS
died 26/12/1940, aged 17.
of 22 Gildarts Gardens. Died at Alder Hey Emergency Hospital.

TERESA KEEGAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 8. 
of 4C Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of John Keegan. Died at 4C Blackstock Gardens.

JOHN LEIGH 
died 22/12/1940, aged 16. 
of 5C Blackstock Gardens. Son of Robert Leigh. Died at Mill Road Infirmary.

EDNA MAHONEY
died 21/12/1940, aged 14.
Daughter of Ellen Mahoney, of 10D Blackstock Street, and of John Mahoney. Died at Blackstock Street Shelter.

JOHN MAHONEY
died 21/12/1940, aged39.
Husband of Ellen Mahoney, of 10D Blackstock Street. Died at Blackstock Street Shelter.

SARAH MANNING 
died 21/12/1940, aged 10. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Pte. James Manning, The King's Regiment (Liverpool), and of Sarah Ann Manning. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

WILLIAM MANNING 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Son of Pte. James Manning, The King's Regiment (Liverpool), and of Sarah Ann Manning. Died at Blackstock Gardens.

CHRISTINA MARY MARSDEN
died 22/12/1940, aged 15.
Daughter of W. and Alice Marsden, of 116D Vauxhall Road. Died at Mill Road Infirmary.

JOHN CHRISTOPHER MARTIN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 18. 
Son of Thomas and Mary E. Martin, of 14 Purcell Place, Gildarts Gardens. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

ANNIE McGUIGAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 27. 
of 4B Blackstock Gardens. Wife of William Patrick McGuigan. Died at Blackstock Gardens.  
MARGARET McGUIGAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 11 Months. 
Aged 11 months; of 45 Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of William Patrick and Annie McGuigan. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

WILLIAM PATRICK McGUIGAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 36. 
of 45 Blackstock Gardens. Husband of Annie McGuigan. Died at Blackstock Gardens. SUSAN McGUINNESSdied 21/12/1940, aged 19.of 10 Blackstock Street. Died at Royal Infirmary.

JOHN FRANCIS MEIKLE
Records state John died 03/05/1941, aged 16. Though the records may be wrong.Son of Mr. J. F. Meikle, of 150 Fontenoy Street. Died at Milton Street.

ELLEN MELIA 
died 22/12/1940, aged 45. 
of 11D Blackstock Gardens. Wife of John Melia. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens Shelter; died at Mill Road Infirmary. 

JOHN MELIA 
died 21/12/1940, aged 10. 
of 11D Blackstock Gardens. Son of John Melia and of Ellen Melia. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

JOSEPH MELIA 
died 21/12/1940, aged 6. 
of 11D Blackstock Gardens. Son of John Melia, and of Ellen Melia. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 
 
MARY MELIA 
died 21/12/1940, aged 8. 
of 11D Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of John Melia, and of Ellen Melia. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

MARY ANN NOLAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 47. 
of 9D Blackstock Gardens. Wife of John Nolan. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

MARK CHRISTOPHER OSBORNE 
died 22/12/1940, aged 16. 
Son of Robert Osborne, of 11 Denison Street. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens; died at Mill Road Infirmary. 

MARY PHILLIPS 
died 21/12/1940, aged 57. 
of 13 Blackstock Street. Wife of John Phillips. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

MARY ANN RIMMER 
died 21/12/1940, aged 42. 
of 2B Blackstock Street. Wife of Thomas Rimmer. Died at Blackstock Gardens. 

PATRICK SHIRLEY 
died 22/12/1940, aged 16 Months. 
Son of Patrick Joseph and Mary Jane Shirley, of 129 Athol Street. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens Shelter; died at Mill Road Infirmary. 

ELIZABETH SIMPSON 
died 21/12/1940, aged 61. 
of 2C Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Benjamin Simpson. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 
 
JOHN TONER 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3. 
of 1B Blackstock Gardens. Son of Gnr. John Toner, R.A., and of Rose Ann Toner. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

ROSE ANN TONER 
died 21/12/1940, aged 20. 
of 1B Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Gnr. John Toner, R.A. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

ELLEN TWIGG 
died 21/12/1940, aged 32. 
of 1C Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Pte. John Twigg, The King's Own Regiment (Liverpool) at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

ELLEN TWIGG 
died 21/12/1940, aged 8. 
of 1C Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Pte. John Twigg, The King's Own Regiment (Liverpool), and of Ellen Twigg. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

JOHN TWIGG 
died 21/12/1940, aged 3. 
of 1C Blackstock Gardens. Son of Pte. John Twigg, The King's Own Regiment (Liverpool), and of Ellen Twigg. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

ROBERT TWIGG 
died 21/12/1940, aged 18 Months. 
of 1C Blackstock Gardens. Son of Pte. John Twigg, The King's Own Regiment (Liverpool), and of Ellen Twigg. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

TERESA TWIGG 
died 23/12/1940, aged 7. 
of 1C Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Pte. John Twigg, The King's Own Regiment (Liverpool), and of Ellen Twigg. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens Shelter; died at Royal Infirmary. 

MARY ELLEN TYNAN 
died 21/12/1940, aged 46. 
of 8A Blackstock Gardens. Wife of Thomas Tynan. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 
 
JOHN TYNAN 
died 22/12/1940, aged 17. 
of 8A Blackstock Gardens. Son of Thomas Tynan, and of Mary Ellen Tynan. Injured 21 December 1940, at Blackstock Gardens Shelter; died at Mill Road Infirmary.

ROSE CECILIA TYNAN
died 22/12/1940, aged 14.
of 8A Blackstock Gardens. Daughter of Thomas Tynan, and of Mary Ellen Tynan. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter.

ELIZABETH WADE 
died 21/12/1940, aged 51. 
Wife of William Wade, of 2C Blackstock Gardens, Vauxhall Road. Died at Blackstock Gardens Shelter. 

VERONICA WOLLEN 
died 22/12/1940, aged 22. 
of 6A Blackstock Gardens. Died at Royal Infirmary.

                                ALSO FOR THE UNKNOWN, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE