The Blitz - 14th November 1940

My late parents used to tell me what an horrific night the 14th of November 1940 was in Coventry. Explosion after explosion shattered the evening air as buildings were destroyed. My mother recounted how scared she was, as it seemed as if the bombing would never end. The city the next day was unrecognisable. In spite of the fact that I wasn't born until the mid-fifties, I still have great sadness that my City was devastated on this dreadful night so many years ago.

I remember that fateful night. At the time we lived in a small village near Cambridge. My mother woke me up to see the glow in the sky, and we all stood on the flat roof of our neighbours bungalow listening to the aircraft and watching the sky. Later when the newspapers came out with lots of pictures she grabbed it and said it was too horrific for children to see. I think where we lived was about 70 miles from Coventry.

Hoping you can all read this about Coventry from Churchill visiting Coventry page after bombing its Ministry of Information about who had water about the traders and states no typhoid in Coventry. LINK

I remember the November blitz but the April blitz, the one that is most forgotten, is the one that's most fixed in my memory. That night we lost our home. We didn't use a shelter but because of the noise we didn't go to bed either. Standing in the back garden watching the raid, there was huge bang in the street and when we went into the house most of the front was missing as was most of the roof. My grandfather lived in Bell Green so we moved in with him. I think the April blitz was second to the November in amount of damage done but of course there were many more as well.One thing that really sticks in my mind is that although our old house was open there was nothing stolen. Perhaps we were just lucky or perhaps folk were more honest then...Les

I was born in Burbage, 1963 (Oddly enough on 8th April) My parents had a corner shop in Hinckley. My father, Alan, was bombed out of his house 14th November along with his two brothers, Cyril and Norman, on Foleshill Road, no.791. My mother, Sheila, lived on Shilton Lane. I think they both have a story to tell, especially my father, who after being bombed out for the third time, was evacuated, had to do a milk round and also had to deliver laundry that the farmer's wife took in, to the local air base to someone we now believe was Glen Miller, we also think he probably took it on the night of Miller's death! At the age of 12 in 1940 he was then of an age to be called up at war's end in Europe, to go to Palestine with the Royal Ulster Rifles. I would dearly love their stories to be told, I do not have the ability to do it, and to be honest I think I would not ask some questions that I perhaps believe I know the answers to. He had a tough time all in all, as did, I know, many other Coventrians. As a child my mum nor dad seemed keen to buy fireworks or take us to bonfires around this time of year, often we were visiting relatives in Cov around Nov 5 to 14th and now I realise how hard it must have been for my parents. Recently I visited Berlin, saw what was the Luftwaffe building where I guess Moonlight Sonata was planned, and its progress reported. Even tho I was not there 14th Nov 1940 somehow I felt I had come full circle, if anyone can understand that. Is there a journalist out there who could do this? They now live in Scarborough. Some of his stories are funny some are sad. Can someone help me out please?

My late mum came from Oxford. Like you, she recalled the glow in the sky and watching skyfuls of jets coming over for hours on end. My dad used to tell us about when he went to work the next day, and had to carry his bike over the mashed up tram lines in Broadgate.

I was born on the 15th November 1939 at 19 Bradford Street Hillfields. I was still living there 7 years later. 14 November 1940 we went in the Anderson shelter about 7.30 that night, I think that about 11 people were in there at various times. I attended Frederick Birds School until I left at age 15. I then went to work at the Humber. I was a member of the 15 Coventry Boy Scouts, scout senior and rover, I was a life member of the Howitzer Club at the time it folded. I also lived in Oxford street and Coronation Road until I married my wife of 54 years Diane. We now live in Boston, Lincolnshire. I would welcome messages from anyone who may remember Diane or myself. Alan Clare.

Welcome Poacher, I am certain you will be very welcome on here with all your memories. I wasn't part of it all but am interested to hear it all and loads of folks on here will value all your experiences in Coventry in those times. Be prepared for loads of questions from them I am sure

Well I just have to respond to Boston Poacher as he is my Big Brother! Welcome to Historic Coventry Alan, I'm sure you will have fun x

Welcome to our forum Alan I cannot imagine what it must have been like with 11 people in an Anderson shelter. (BTW - Both of my Brother-in-laws share the same birthday as you!)

Hello Alan & hello all This all sounds like fun. It even sounds like a party, now, where's my hat!

Hi Alan and Diane and welcome. You have plenty of stories to tell about Coventry. I look forward to hearing them. Best wishes, Tricia

I was bundled under the stairs, but later as the war progressed it was down in the cellar at the Newlands. Fortunately, according to my mother, the only damage we suffered was the front gate and that was not bomb damage, someone/something ran into it.

My new blog that looks at the little reminders of the blitz on the Coventry landscape Hi, I just thought I'd see if anyone wanted to take a look at my new blog I'm doing that looks at the little things left on the Coventry (and surrounding area) landscape that reminds us of the blitz and of the 2nd World War in general. I've not done this kind of thing before but have always found local history fascinating and was amazed that there was still items that remain to this day from that period. Some of them I played on as a kid or walked past without paying them a blind bit of notice until I discovered what they were. I've done a few posts already and have plenty more I plan to do. I'll see where it all takes me. Anyhow any opinions would be appreciated This is the Blog address

According to a website by Ken Crawley, two different routes to include Warwick Avenue were proposed as possible extensions to the tram system but later shelved.