Castle Ian - The First Blitz in 100 Objects

The First Blitz in 100 Objects

This edition published in 2019 by Frontline Books,

An imprint of Pen & Sword Books Ltd.,

Yorkshire - Philadelphia

Copyright Ian Castle, 2019

The right of Ian Castle to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

HB ISBN 978-1-52673-289-7

PB ISBN 978-1-52676-726-4

eISBN 978-1-52673-290-3

mobi ISBN 978-1-52673-291-0

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T he idea for The First Blitz in 100 Objects was first suggested to me by my publisher, Martin Mace of Frontline Books. It was an interesting proposition and not one I had considered before. The first question was whether I thought there would be enough objects to fulfil the title. Over the years I have spent researching and writing about the German First World War air raids on Britain, I have come across references to many interesting reminders of this First Blitz, this Forgotten Blitz but were there enough to fill a book? I started to compile a list of objects that immediately came to mind and my publisher did likewise. It looked promising. I then discussed the idea with others and more suggestions and ideas came forward. I soon discovered that 100 Objects would not be a problem, the problem would be what to leave out!

The next question I had to address was what actually defined an object for the purposes of this project. To reflect on the richness of the offerings, I decided on an open interpretation. I have included locations where significant incidents occurred, graves and plaques that tell of heroic sacrifice within the overall story of the First Blitz, and, of course, some of the weapons that played a role in the war. The impact of individual actions on the Home Front also provided me with objects, as did the strength demonstrated by those whose businesses suffered from bombing but who carried on in the face of adversity. There are the relics from crashed airships and the thriving souvenir trade that grew as a result. Some objects reflect the humour the British people displayed during this dark period in the nations history, and there is space for the more quirky items too: the cartoon-decorated animal bone dropped from a Zeppelin, a bird killed in a raid and stuffed, a collar that saved a mans life and even a board game based on the Zeppelin raids, available while raids still threatened Britain. By using objects such as these it has been possible to explore the impact the First Blitz had on the British public and the combatants of both sides.

Rather than group the objects together under categories, I decided to let them run chronologically so the reader can easily follow the course of the war through the story each object tells. It is a fascinating story and I hope the varied selection of objects reveal many lesser-known aspects of the First Blitz to a much wider audience.

I completed this project in 2018 at the end of a four-year period of centenary commemorations. During that time many previously neglected memorials up and down the country have received welcome attention, and with them new plaques provide a proud source of remembrance. The objects included in this book also show the great variety of ways in which the British people chose to remember the impact those early air raids had on the nation. The previously unthinkable horror had happened the aerial bombing of civilians in their homes. Yet rather than be cowed by their experience, the British people in general displayed a remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity that pre-dated by a quarter of a century the acknowledged Blitz spirit of the Second World War. I hope this book goes some way to reflect that spirit.

Ian Castle, December 2018

W hen embarking on a project of this nature it is impossible to make a success of it without the help of many people. I have been amazed by the response I received from people up and down the country who I contacted out of the blue but who wholeheartedly embraced the project and enabled me to gain access to objects and items that might otherwise have eluded me. A number of museums have been extremely helpful and I would like to thank Nikki Braunton at the Museum of London, Sheila Moss King at The Pennoyer Centre, Jacqueline Smith from the Royal Crown Derby Museum, Chris Langdon at the Southend Museum, John Chapman at Leistons Long Shop Museum, Sue Walker White at Derehams Bishop Bonners Cottage Museum and Bob Goodrick at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. Clara Morgan at Museums Sheffield, Trevor Neale from Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome and Bryce Caller from the London Museum of Water and Steam also helped greatly by giving permission to reproduce photographs from their collections, while Michael Kelly at the Chatham Drill Hall Library proved an enthusiastic guide.

I am also grateful for the help I have received from a number of individuals. Dr Hamish McLaren, Thomas Genth and Geoffrey Wyncoll all helped with family items. A chance meeting with Charles Dace gained me access to the amazing relic of the First Blitz at Wrotham Park, and Paul Bessemer, a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, smoothed my path to see their relic of a German raid, as did Neil Wells at the Rochford Hundred Golf Club. John Rochester at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, gave me access to their archives and Sue Wardle of Emmanuel Holcombe School took photos of the schools unique First Blitz relic and others photos in the village. Peter Daniel opened the door to Clarendon College, Ballarat, where Simone Andrews was most helpful, and Dr Hugh Hunt put me in contact with his cousin Antony Anderson, who was able to help with a family photograph. Email communications with Marc Carlson at the University of Tulsa proved fruitful and I would like to thank James Pasby at the North East War Memorials Project as well as Chris Laidler and Stephen Walker from the Goole First World War Research Group. Both groups do sterling work and provided me with photographs that I have used, as did Gerry Ryder of the Rainhill Civic Society Heritage Group, Charley Gosse of The Aero Conservancy and Andy Tregenza and Steve Littlejohn of Arundel Militaria.