We will remember them
In November, out thoughts turn to remembering those who died during wars and other conflicts. We might easily remember the soldiers, sailors and airmen, but perhaps forget the civilian casualties. This year, spare a thought for all the thousands of people who died in their homes as a result of bombings.
Wickham Market suffered 16 German air attacks within a three mile radius of the Market Hill during the Second World War. The worst one was 75 years ago, on October 19th 1942, when seven high explosive bombs were dropped on what was known as Middle Street, at the bottom of Snowdon Hill (numbers 110 to 130 High Street).
As a result of this, Mr and Mrs Mayhew Frost were killed and Mrs F Dale died of her injuries. Seven people were injured, six houses were totally destroyed (110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122) and five were severely damaged (118, 124, 126, 128, 130). They were all demolished.
This information is provided by Wickham Market Area Archive Centre –www.wmarchives.co.uk A picture of the stonemason’s yard features in our 2018 Calendar which is available, priced £5, at The Teapot Tearoom, Anna Shand Chiropodist and the Archive Centre (open Tuesdays 2pm – 4pm, Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm).
The two other pictures show the scene after the bombing, looking up and down the street. In one, you can see the wall and remains of some of the headstones that were in the stonemason’s yard.