"Today is the 85th Anniversary of the start of the 1941 “Three Nights' Blitz”.
The bombing of Swansea by the Luftwaffe in World War Two culminated in three nights of devastation on 19, 20 and 21 February 1941. The centre of Swansea was turned from bustling streets to a pile of rubble..
While it was presumed that the Luftwaffe targeted Swansea’s docks and munition factories, it’s a sad fact of life and death that the town centre and surrounding streets bore the brunt of the damage as a total of 230 people were killed and 397 injured over those three nights.
Perhaps what is less known is the devastation and tragedy to other parts of Swansea. Over 20 family, friends and neighbours on a small residential street, were all lost to a devastating deluge of German bombs. Look through the records of Swansea’s war dead and amongst the listed names Teilo Crescent appears again and again.
As is the tragedy of war, the overwhelming number of them were civilians, from 14-year-old John Buckley to 65-year-old Florence Kate Cratchley.
In all 24 residents and another six firemen and civil defence volunteers working on one traumatic night - Thursday, February 20, 1941 - perished on a single residential street perched on Mayhill overlooking the town below.
I’m sure the loss and pain will still be felt by the surviving family members , friends and neighbours of those who tragically lost their lives.
I trust they will not mind the names of the deceased being honoured .
The residents of Teilo Crescent who died : ( from a Wales Online article).
Wilfred Barnes of 45 Teilo Crescent, aged 44.
Bernard Roy Bija of 37 Teilo Crescent, aged 16.
Kenneth Howard Bija of 37 Teilo Crescent, aged 15.
Timothy Buckley of 15 Teilo Crescent, aged 49.
John Buckley of 15 Teilo Crescent, aged 14.
Florence Kate Cratchley of 29 Teilo Crescent, aged 65.
Josiah Cobley of 55 Teilo Crescent, aged 59.
Brinley Joshua Cook of 39 Teilo Crescent, aged 40.
Evan John Davies 24 Teilo Crescent, aged 42.
Lilian Alexandra Davies of 14 Teilo Crescent, aged 37.
John Donoghue of 21 Teilo Crescent, aged 62.
James Griffiths of 31 Teilo Crescent, aged 58.
William Frederick Griffiths of 33 Teilo Crescent, aged 16.
Thomas George Miles of 46 Teilo Crescent, aged 37.
Alfred James Voyzey of 11 Teilo Crescent, aged 17.
Matthew Walsh of 17 Creidiol Road of Teilo Crescent, aged 40.
William Morgan Williams of 27 Teilo Crescent, aged 58.
Joseph Harold Stirrup, fire watcher, of 6 Teilo Crescent, aged 16.
John Ernest Murray Bishop, Home Guard, of 38 Teilo Crescent, aged 26.
Harry Voyzey, Home Guard volunteer, of 11 Teilo Crescent, aged 19.
Ernest Thomas Cox of 18 Teilo Crescent, aged 56.
Emma Catherine Williams of 27 Teilo Crescent, aged 59.
Betty Williams of 27 Teilo Crescent, aged 20.
Ronald George Evans, a visitor to Teilo Crescent, aged 19.
And the firemen and civil defence volunteers who also perished on the street
John Alfred Lee, firefighter of 96 Waun Wen Road, Mayhill. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent, aged 36.
Claude Stanley Kenwood, fire watcher; of 3 Eigen Crescent, Mayhill. Son of Charles Edwin Kenwood. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent, aged 20.
Charles Edwin Kenwood, A.R.P. Rescue Service; of 3 Eigen Crescent, Mayhill. Father of Claude Stanley Kenwood. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent, aged 49.
Reginald Herbert Daniels, fireman, A.F.S; of 24 Gomer Road, Townhill. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent, aged 34.
Leonard Berry, firefighter; of 25 Nichol Street. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent, aged 19.
John Collins, fire watcher; of 38 Tanymarian Road, Mayhill. Died on February 20, 1941, at Teilo Crescent. aged 16.
Let us not forget the horrors of War and be thankful for the times we live in ,although difficult for many." |  |
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