Bombing of Sunderland 24 May 1943?

Whilst carrying out some family research, I discovered that the Leng family - William Brown Leng (32) and his children James William Leng (8), Kenneth Kenworthy Leng (5), William Brown Leng (3), Ruth Leng (3) and Marjorie Leng (13 months) - were killed at 6 Robinson Street, Hendon, Sunderland on 24 May 1943. All are commemorated by CWGC. William's wife, Bella, survived; I am not sure whether or not she was at the house at the time.

I suspect that this was as the result of a bombing raid on Sunderland's docks - not very far away.

Whilst I have yet to determine whether or not this family is part of my tree - my wife's granny was a Mackem Leng - I would be interested in details of this incident. I am sure that the erudite Forum members will not disappoint!

Roxy

 

Hi Roxy,

Full details can be found on this website Robinson St was hit by a 500kg.

NE Diary 1939-45; Incidents 23rd/24th May 1943 to 9th September 1943

Hopefully it will open at the right page.
As a bit of a coincidence I took these two photographs last week at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery .Spooky!!



Just as an added irony this was the last time the Luftwaffe came to Sunderland they managed to hit a shelter in Lodge Tce in Hendon which killed twelve and seriously injured another ten,
Jim

 

Jim,

Thanks. I knew that I'd get the info in quick time!

Roxy

 

Jim,

Thanks. I knew that I'd get the info in quick time!

Roxy



Hi Roxy,

No problem glad its of interest I`ve searched through the wartime photographs I have but unfortunately I do not have one of Robinson Street.It was never a very lucky address
Private JOHN W. GRAY
15751 6th Bn., East Yorkshire Regiment
Who Died Age 19 on 21 August 1915 Son of Edward Joseph and Harriet Gray,also of 6 Robinson Street, Hendon, Sunderland

Also listed as killed in the same air raid in 43 were


Bergson, Arnold - 6 yrs - 24 May 1943 - 6 Robinson St, Sunderland,
Bergson, David - 48 yrs - 24 May 1943 - 6 Robinson St, Sunderland,

Bergson, Miriam - 38 yrs - 24 May 1943 - 6 Robinson St, Sunderland,





Jim

 

Hello Roxy/Jim,

Being from just North of the Tyne I have often heard the bombing of Sunderland advocated; but all in local jest of course. When you actually see the devastation of bombing on the Leng and other families it is far from 'funny'.

I don't have much to add to the thread apart from the fact that I saw an interesting thread in the last couple of days about a 'Google Earth 1945 Overlay' and wondered if you could identify Robinson Street in 1945; and the bomb damage. Here's the link:

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/general/41212-google-earth-1945-overlay.html#post459241

Best,

Steve.

 

Jim,

Thanks for the Bergson info; it might help the family tree stuff!

Steve,

Thanks for the link. My brother-in-law is a Newcastle supporter, despite all the family coming from Sunderland; including one with a farm in SA called Roker Park! Saturday about 1645ish is always funny when he's around!

Roxy

 

Jim,

Unfortunately, Google doesn't appear to have the 1945 overlay for Sunderland.

Roxy

 

Jim,

Thanks for the Bergson info; it might help the family tree stuff!

Roxy

Hello Roxy,

These houses had families living upstairs and downstairs two rooms maximum per family.....I was born in a similar house! I`ll try and find you a street map of the period I have one but it isnt good enough to scan.


Jim

 

Pictures and news story
BBC - In pictures: The Wearside Blitz


BBC - When the blitz came to Wearside

There is a book on Amazon

Sunderland Blitz (The people's history): Amazon.co.uk: Kevin Brady: Books

 

Heres one from 1936 I`ve dated the relevant street.

 

Jim,

Thanks.

Roxy

 

I've been in contact with a survivor of this bombing. Bella Leng was pregnant with Alfred Leng at the time of the bombing.

Roxy

 

I noticed this thread has the dreaded `Photobucket` stamp across the Bombing Victims Panel , so opened them in `another window` which shows an unwatermarked photograph . Saved them and reposted below :-


I`m not sure if `Verrieres` was aware when he posted those images that the plaque (in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery ,Sunderland) commemorated those killed south of the river wear ? Another plaque with other residents names from north of the river can be found in Mere Knolls (Seaburn) Cemetery . Below an image of the plaque which I took when back in the area on Saturday. Just to adjust the balance .



Kyle

 

Hi Roxy, I was sent something today by a friend which showed the commemorative gravestone of some of the names that died in 1943 and 6 of those were Leng. I do not know a whole lot about my family tree so I thought I would make a start. I googled and your comment on this page came up, so I have just joined and hence why I am contacting you. I was born in Sunderland, as was my dad, and his Dad. My Dad is still alive. I was just wondering if you could get in touch and shed any light on the Leng family tree/roots as there are a lot of Leng families in the region that do not seem to know they are somehow related. I may have to do an ancestry thing?

 

Daren,

Welcome aboard.

I will alert Roxy to your post using the Private Message (PM) option (explained below). He was logged in recently, but may not have flagged this thread.

PM explanation

If you hover over the name of the member in their avatar it will show a new text box and within is the date of their last logged visit. Some members "flag" their interest in a thread, which means they get a system alert. Once you have posted five times - a measure to stop spam - you can send a private message (PM) to members using 'Start a private conversation' accessed via your avatar. Such messages depend on their email given at registration is still valid. You can receive and reply to a PM already.

A basic guide to genealogy research by a member: Get Started Plus useful links to: UKMFH - Military Family History. Links to web sites with Online Information for UK Military Family History and Genealogy.

 

Thanks, David.

I’ve dropped Darren a note.

Roxy