CO‐OPERATIVE SHELTER BOMBING
On the night of
7th/8th May 1941 the sirens again sounded to warn the people of the
region of another approaching attack from the enemy planes. On Stanley
Road in Bootle locals made their way to the shelter at the Co‐operative
store . Basically it was the basement of the building that was used as a
shelter, with people using the entrance of the Billiard Hall
next door to the Co‐op to gain access. The Billiard Hall was on the
corner of Stanley Road and Ash Street. You went in through the billiard hall doors and down steps into a space that branched off into tunnels.
The shelter was full of people when the bombs arrived. High explosives hit the building blowing out the front wall, this led to the floors collapsing down onto the people sheltering in the basement. Many survivors climbed through the emergency escape hatches which were in place around the shelters perimeter. It is also believed that some people made their escape by going along the the tunnels that led to Little Strand Road opposite.
Sadly many people died in the bombing with many others injured. It is said that the authorities had the basement limed and sealed? as it was an underground shelter this could well be the case as most underground shelter's where deaths had occurred were limed and sealed to stop disease spreading.
What we do know for certain is that the bodies of the dead were later removed and placed in the temporary mortuary in the gymnasium at the Marsh Lane Baths. The following night the mortuary received a direct hit from incendary bombs, at the time it held 180 corpses awaiting burial, of these 40 still had not been identified, which included those from the Co‐op. The building was raised to the ground by fire and the remains were later buried in a communal grave at Bootle cemetery.
In 1988 the Ash Street tenants and residents association erected a plaque to the victims in a memorial garden close to the spot of the tragedy. In 2009 the garden and memorial were revamped. A fitting tribute from local people who have made sure those who died are never forgotten.
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The shelter was full of people when the bombs arrived. High explosives hit the building blowing out the front wall, this led to the floors collapsing down onto the people sheltering in the basement. Many survivors climbed through the emergency escape hatches which were in place around the shelters perimeter. It is also believed that some people made their escape by going along the the tunnels that led to Little Strand Road opposite.
Sadly many people died in the bombing with many others injured. It is said that the authorities had the basement limed and sealed? as it was an underground shelter this could well be the case as most underground shelter's where deaths had occurred were limed and sealed to stop disease spreading.
What we do know for certain is that the bodies of the dead were later removed and placed in the temporary mortuary in the gymnasium at the Marsh Lane Baths. The following night the mortuary received a direct hit from incendary bombs, at the time it held 180 corpses awaiting burial, of these 40 still had not been identified, which included those from the Co‐op. The building was raised to the ground by fire and the remains were later buried in a communal grave at Bootle cemetery.
In 1988 the Ash Street tenants and residents association erected a plaque to the victims in a memorial garden close to the spot of the tragedy. In 2009 the garden and memorial were revamped. A fitting tribute from local people who have made sure those who died are never forgotten.
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The glass building to the left of this photo is the site of the Billiard Hall and Co‐op store. It is now a One stop shop.
Photo courtesy of Bobhamo at Bootle Times forum.
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Photo courtesy of Bobhamo at Bootle Times forum.
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A 1911 Directory listing the following addresses, 340 Jones Job builders merchant,342 Lancashire and Cheshire Billiards Halls Ltd.
A 1938 Directory listing the following addresses, 312 The Metropole Theatre, 340 Stanley Road Co‐op, 342 Lancashire and Cheshire Billiards Halls.
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Marsh Lane Baths. The gymnasium that was used as a temporary mortuary was here.
The site of Marsh Lane Baths in 2009
Photo courtesy of Bobhamo at Bootle Times forum.
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Photo courtesy of Bobhamo at Bootle Times forum.
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2009
My family lived over Liggets, and on that night we ran quickly into the Co‐op shelter and two minutes later it was hit. I am now 82 and still marvel at the whole family survived. Even though it was by way of a drain cover in Back Stanley Rd.
Alby/A member of The Bootle Times Forum.
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This subject is always refered to as the co‐op shelter bombing when in fact it was the Billiard Hall on the corner of Ash Street that was the enterance to the shelter and that was bombed and the co‐op went with it.
As a small child of age 6 and living in Ash St we sometimes went into that shelter, underground was tunnels that reached as far as Little Strand Road right away under the shops and the Metropole Theater. Families went into the shelter with bedding, food and drinks. Some people would bring a mouthorgan, a banjo or an accordian and they would have sing songs or the children would do a party piece, anything to entertain and then off to sleep while the woman sat and knitted chatted or what ever.
You now have a little picture of how things were in the shelter under the co‐op
Dorothy/A member of The Bootle Times Forum
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1988 Plaque at the memorial garden in Ash Street
Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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Bootle Times 19th February 2009.
A Bootle war memorial marking an infamous tragedy during the 1941 ‘May Blitz’ is being fully restored. The Ash Street War Memorial, off Stanley Road, remembers the people who died when the Co‐Op air raid shelter suffered a direct hit on May 7, 1941.
A refurbishment scheme by contractors for Sefton Council is now nearing completion, and the site will be re‐dedicated during a special public ceremony later this year. The new‐look memorial garden will include a time capsule holding historical photos and letters, information about Bootle and Sefton, and poems written by pupils at Christ Church CE Primary School. It will also feature a new memorial plaque and a large central boulder stone.
The project, which was prompted by local residents and councillors on Linacre and Derby Area Committee, has been funded by the area committee, European ERDF funding and contributions from Arena, Riverside and LinacreOne housing associations.
Councillor Gordon Friel, chair of Linacre and Derby Area Committee said: “The May Blitz and World War II form a very important part of the history of Bootle. “Thousands of people in the area know stories about 1941 - either because they were involved personally, or because anecdotes have been passed down through the generations.
“It is very important that future generations continue to understand the heritage of their town and I am very pleased that local school children have been involved in this project.
“We felt it was only right that this special memorial be brought up to date as a lasting reminder of the suffering and sacrifices involving local people all those years ago.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the local residents who brought this matter to our attention and pay tribute to their community spirit in doing so. It was this same community spirit and care that saw people through those times of greatest difficulty.”
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The memorial garden undergoing its facelift
Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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Bootle Times 23rd April 2009.
A Fully restored Bootle war memorial will be re‐dedicated in a public ceremony next week.
The Ash Street War Memorial garden, off Stanley Road, remembers the people who died when the Co‐Op air raid shelter suffered a direct hit on May 7, 1941. It has now been carefully refurbished by contractors for Sefton Council on behalf of local residents and councillors on Linacre and Derby Area Committee.
The basement shelter, which was under the Co‐operative Society’s premises on Stanley Road, was fully occupied when it was hit. The blast blew out the front wall of the building which caused the floors above to collapse – killing several people and injuring many more. The disaster, however, could have been much worse and most of those
sheltering were able to leave the building by the rear escape hatch.
Earlier that week, St Andrew’s Church Hall, which was in use as a rest centre, was flattened by a direct hit by a high explosive bomb. In total, 37 people – many of them made homeless by earlier bombing – lost their lives in this tragedy. Almost 2,000 Bootle residents were killed and injured by bombs during World War II, and almost 15,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
Local clergymen will rededicate the new‐look memorial in a short service at 11am on Friday, May 1. Schoolchildren, residents, councillors, and other members of the public will also attend the event. The revamped garden features a new memorial plaque and a large central boulder stone. It will also include a time capsule featuring historical photos and letters, information about Bootle and Sefton, and poems written by pupils at Christ Church CE Primary School.
Cllr Gordon Friel, chair of Linacre and Derby Area Committee, said: “This tragic incident was one of many that affected the people of Bootle during the May Blitz and World War II. “It is very important that future generations remember the sacrifices that were made and I am very pleased local schoolchildren have been involved in the project and will also attend the service.”
The restoration project was funded by Linacre and Derby Area Committee, European ERDF funding and contributions from Arena, Riverside and Linacre One housing associations.
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The new memorial and plaque
Photo courtesy of Peter Craig at Bootle Times forum
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Photo courtesy of Peter Craig at Bootle Times forum
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The Plaque that sits upon the rock
Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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Photo courtesy of King Tonka at Bootle Times forum
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The Lady in the wheelchair is Elizabeth Rowbotham, She and her mother couldn't get in the shelter and had to stand against the wall of the shelter while the bombs were dropping and hit the shelter. Elizabeth is the last living survivor from the shelter in Bootle which is why she was at the ceremony. Pushing her chair is her daughter Doreen who had travelled from New Zealand to attend the ceremony. At the time of writing, November 2012, Elizabeth is 92 and still living in Bootle. Thanks go to her Grandson Matthew Morris for updating the information.
Photo courtesy of Peter Craig at Bootle Times forum
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Photo courtesy of Peter Craig at Bootle Times forum
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A short video of the Memorial Garden ceremony supplied by Peter Craig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjlJsDOYoaQ&feature=channel_page
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I would like to thank Jan, Bob, Peter, Dorothy, Mackenzie and all the members of The Bootle Times Forum who have helped me with information and photographs. Without them this page would not have been possible. I know that with people like them around that the victims of this bombing will never be forgotten.
Anyone from or with a connection to Bootle should check out the forum. Its a very friendly place.
Bootle Times Forum http://www.bootlehistory.co.uk/forum/index.php
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I have found details for 36 people who died as a result of the bombing. The total number of dead will never be known due to those who were unidentified.
HENRIETTA AUSTIN
died 08/05/1941, aged 46.
of 79 Litherland Road. Wife of John Austin. Died at Co‐op Shelter,
Stanley Road.
JOHN AUSTIN
died 08/05/1941, aged 49.
of 79 Litherland Road. Husband of Henrietta Austin. Died at Co‐op
Shelter, Stanley Road.
JOHN BANVILLE
died 08/05/1941, aged 35.
of 40 Delaware Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
RICHARD BOARDMAN
died 08/05/1941, aged 52.
of 23 Nevada Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
JOHN BROWNE
died 08/05/1941, aged 68.
of 120 Irlam Road. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
SARAH CLARK
died 08/05/1941, aged 32.
of 6 Roby Street. Daughter of Sarah Woodworth, of 57 Brookhill Road;
wife of J. H. Clark. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
WILLIAM DARLEY
died 08/05/1941, aged 65.
of 24 Garfield Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
GEORGE CECIL DAVIES
died 08/05/1941, aged 18.
Air Raid Warden; of 11 Beech Street. Son of the late David and Frances
Davies. outside Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
JOHN HENRY DAVIES
died 08/05/1941, aged 75.
of 431 Hawthorne Road. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ROBERT WILLIAM DYER
died 31/05/1941, aged 66.
Bootle Air Raid Warden. Husband of S. Dyer, of 3 Clare Road, Bootle. Injured 8 May 1941, at Co‐operative Air Raid Shelter, Stanley Road, Bootle; died at The Emergency Hospital, Winwick, Warrington.
HERBERT GRAY
died 08/05/1941, aged 60.
Air Raid Warden; of 35 Bedford Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley
Road.
GEORGE GREENER
died 08/05/1941, aged 74.
Husband of Catherine Greener, of 57 Cedar Street, Bootle. Injured at
Co‐operative Shelter; died same day at Walton Hospital, Rice Lane.
CHARLES HENRY HAZLETT
died 08/05/1941, aged 62.
of 136 Strand Road. Husband of Sarah Hazlett. Died at Co‐op Shelter,
Stanley Road.
SARAH HAZLETT
died 08/05/1941, aged 66.
of 136 Strand Road. Wife of Charles Henry Hazlett. Died at Co‐op
Shelter, Stanley Road.
LAURIE IRVING
died 08/05/1941, aged 71.
of 23 Boreland Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
MARY KELLY
died 08/05/1941, age not listed.
at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
CECILIA KIRBY
died 08/05/1941, aged 25.
of 254 Strand Road. Wife of Francis Stanley Kirby. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
FRANCIS STANLEY KIRBY
died 08/05/1941, aged 23.
of 254 Strand Road. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Kirby, of 252 Strand Road; husband of Cecilia Kirby. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
CHRISTOPHER McCARTHY
died 08/05/1941, aged 5.
of 35 Virginia Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
JOSEPH McNABB
died 08/05/1941, aged 62.
of 64 Markfield Road. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
WILLIAM ALFRED MOORE
died 08/05/1941, aged 43.
Police War Reserve; of 65 Hornby Road. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
HENRY LAITHWAITE MORELAND
died 08/05/1941, aged 70.
of 33 Clifford Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ALBERT NEY
died 08/05/1941, aged 44.
Son of Bartholomew and Teresa Ney, of 3 Norwood Avenue, Litherland; husband of Margaret Ney, of 47 Cedar Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
YVONNE MARIE NEY
died 08/05/1941, aged 9.
Daughter of Margaret Ney, of 47 Cedar Street, Bootle, and of Albert P. Ney. Injured 8 May 1941, at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road; died at Walton Hospital, Rice Lane.
ALBERT EDWARD MYERS
died 08/05/1941, aged 41.
of 20 Milton Street. Son of the late John Henry Myers. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
THOMAS JOSEPH POWELL
died 08/05/1941, aged 52.
of 99 Bangor Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
MARGARET QUINN
died 08/05/1941, aged 34.
of 3 Brook Street. Wife of Pte. Patrick Quinn, The Loyal Regiment. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
DAVID RATCLIFFE
died 08/05/1941, aged 29.
of 182 Peel Road. Son of the late Mrs. P. Ratcliffe; husband of Margaret Grace Ratcliffe. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
MARGARET GRACE RATCLIFFE
died 08/05/1941, aged 28.
of 182 Peel Road. Daughter of Mr. J. Thompson, of 15 Cleary Street; wife of David Ratcliffe. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ROBERT REID
died 08/05/1941, aged 45.
Firewatcher; of 35 Garfield Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ARTHUR RILEY
died 08/05/1941, aged 54.
Son of Joseph Stubbs Riley, and Matilda Riley, of 48 Trinity Road; husband of Helena Jamieson Riley, of 21 Fernhill Road. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ROBERT SHANNON
died 08/05/1941, aged 53.
of 18 Brook Road. Husband of M. Shannon. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
WILLIAM WARNINGTON
died 08/05/1941, age not listed.
of 35 Virginia Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
FRANCIS HENRY WILLIAMSON
died 08/05/1941, aged 64.
of 41 Chestnut Grove. Husband of Margaret Williamson. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
CHARLES FREDERICK WALTER WILSON
died 08/05/1941, aged 33.
Air Raid Warden; of 4 Holly Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
THOMAS YATES
died 08/05/1941, aged 62.
of 26 Nevada Street. Died at Co‐op Shelter, Stanley Road.
ALSO FOR THE UNKNOWN, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE
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