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Service marks 85th anniversary of bombing raids

Shirley Henryin Hull
News imageBBC Five standard bearers, fully dressed in military uniforms, march in a cemetery in Hull. BBC
Standard bearers march during the ceremony at Hull's Northern Cemetery

A service has been held to mark the 85th anniversary of the heaviest bombing raids on Hull during World War Two.

More than 400 people were killed during the German attacks on the nights of 7 and 9 May 1941.

The ceremony, at the Citizens Air Raid Memorial in the city's Northern Cemetery, featured recollections of people who lived through the Hull Blitz.

Dr David Turpin, from St John Ambulance Humber and East Riding, said: "I know people will say that we shouldn't really dwell on the past, but we don't know where we're going if we forget where we've been."

News imageA man dressed in a dark grey St John Ambulance Service uniform is stood outside with trees in the background. He is wearing a black cap with the charity's logo. He has four silver medals on his lapel. He has a grey-coloured beard and moustache. He's wearing sunglasses.
Dr David Turpin, from St John Ambulance, says the charity attends the service every year

About 1,200 people were killed during German bombing raids on Hull between 1940 and 1945, with 3,000 people injured and more than 150,000 made homeless.

During the May 1941 attacks, many well-known buildings were destroyed, including the Hammonds department store and the Prudential Assurance offices in Queen Victoria Square.

Turpin said civilians working for St John Ambulance played a big part in the war efforts.

"Today, we rely on technology, mobile phones to keep in touch. Then, all they would have was a siren to tell them something was going on and they just had to run.

"We always recognise the military when they serve, but we often forget civilian people who also suffered during the war."

News imageA woman with short grey hair is stood in front of trees and smiles at the camera. She's wearing a purple, hooded, zipped jacket. She has a pamphlet in her hand which reads "Blitz in Hull".
Sylvia Usher has been attending the service every year since 1974

Sylvia Usher has attended the ceremony every year since moving to Hull in1974.

"It puts into context the suffering and the sacrifice of people previously and our awareness that we have a responsibility today," she added.

In 2021, the retired history teacher came up with the idea to create a rose bed to mark the graves of those who died.

The 86-year-old said a single headstone was the only indication that any area of grassland in the cemetery was a burial site for hundreds of people.

"If all the family had been killed nobody could organise funerals," Usher said.

"It's so good to have this clear and beautiful place, which helps us remember and appreciate. So, it's been very special to come each time to see this."

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