| Swansea's 3 nights blitz 21:18 - Feb 19 with 864 views | Boundy |
"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." |  |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 18:33 - Feb 20 with 758 views | SgorioFruit |
thanks for posting this.
very interesting, and poignant.
I have just been telling my 8 yr old son about it. |  |
| My methods are not favoured by some but by god i speak the truth. The caller out of bullshit since that letter to Paul Clement made planetswans famous. For a while. | | Poll: | Cardiff Are Relegated |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 21:33 - Feb 20 with 726 views | max936 |
A sombre read that Boundy, My Dad was 6 on Feb 24th that year, think he was living up on the hill then before moving to Manselton, his eldest brother was in the RAF not sure if he saw service, he might have. [Post edited 21 Feb 11:56]
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:57 - Feb 20 with 691 views | AnotherJohn |
As a child born after the war I have vague memories of some areas of the city still in ruins. Does anybody know how many years passed before the bombed out areas were cleared and rebuilt? | | | |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:38 - Feb 21 with 621 views | KeithHaynes |
Quality post Boundy |  |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 11:01 - Feb 21 with 581 views | swancity |
Interesting read.
My father was born in 1935 in Townhill so he would have been 5 then . I’m pretty sure that he and his older brother were moved down to Carmarthen on a train for safety wifh lots of other children.
In this modern entitled world we sometimes need to realise how fortunate we are in some ways. Those were tough times that developed tough people. My mother was born in 1940. Still alive and another tough cookie. That’s how they were and are. | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 11:59 - Feb 21 with 540 views | max936 |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:57 - Feb 20 by AnotherJohn |
As a child born after the war I have vague memories of some areas of the city still in ruins. Does anybody know how many years passed before the bombed out areas were cleared and rebuilt? |
I was born in January 61 and I expect that it had been cleared by the time I would have seen the town as it was then, think Castle St / Wind St areas had a battering. [Post edited 21 Feb 21:40]
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 12:03 - Feb 21 with 536 views | max936 |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 11:01 - Feb 21 by swancity |
Interesting read.
My father was born in 1935 in Townhill so he would have been 5 then . I’m pretty sure that he and his older brother were moved down to Carmarthen on a train for safety wifh lots of other children.
In this modern entitled world we sometimes need to realise how fortunate we are in some ways. Those were tough times that developed tough people. My mother was born in 1940. Still alive and another tough cookie. That’s how they were and are. |
I heard that some went to Abergavenny as well, I remember the place being mentioned over the years when I was growing up, not sure if my parents did, my brother might know, I'll have to ask him. [Post edited 21 Feb 23:50]
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 19:57 - Feb 21 with 483 views | Boundy |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:38 - Feb 21 by KeithHaynes |
Quality post Boundy |
No problem I just thought it may interest a few on here some old enough to remember aspects of the period and those too young but again interested in Swansea's past life. As someone who was born in the 50's I can remember some areas which hadn't been rebuilt and a lot which had ,
Swansea & Plymouth were both extensively damaged by bombing and both were rebuilt along similar lines , it wasn't just the centre which was bombed but some were dropped by the Germans on the docks which killed a few working there and again some heading for Llandarcy oil works .I've added a link if anyone's interested in people stories who lived through those dark times.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 09:25 - Feb 22 with 373 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 11:59 - Feb 21 by max936 |
I was born in January 61 and I expect that it had been cleared by the time I would have seen the town as it was then, think Castle St / Wind St areas had a battering. [Post edited 21 Feb 21:40]
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It was cleared and read a fine town centre
Very buzzing
My old junior school , Brynhyfryd, still had the leftovers of air raid shelters
I was born five years after the end of the War and supppse a good time | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 14:38 - Feb 22 with 341 views | Whiterockin |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 19:57 - Feb 21 by Boundy |
No problem I just thought it may interest a few on here some old enough to remember aspects of the period and those too young but again interested in Swansea's past life. As someone who was born in the 50's I can remember some areas which hadn't been rebuilt and a lot which had ,
Swansea & Plymouth were both extensively damaged by bombing and both were rebuilt along similar lines , it wasn't just the centre which was bombed but some were dropped by the Germans on the docks which killed a few working there and again some heading for Llandarcy oil works .I've added a link if anyone's interested in people stories who lived through those dark times.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ |
I'm similar to you Boundy. I can vividly remember my grandfather taking me walking over mumbles hill when I was young and looking at the air raid shelters and the anti aircraft gun mountings, history had only just been made and my grandfather fed my inquisitive mind. We grew up not really afraid but it was so soon after the war we didn't know if the Germans were coming back. Every Monday morning [I think it was] the sirens were tested just incase. Those days shaped who we were and still are, possibly with a different perspective on life. |  | | |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 14:47 - Feb 22 with 311 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 14:38 - Feb 22 by Whiterockin |
I'm similar to you Boundy. I can vividly remember my grandfather taking me walking over mumbles hill when I was young and looking at the air raid shelters and the anti aircraft gun mountings, history had only just been made and my grandfather fed my inquisitive mind. We grew up not really afraid but it was so soon after the war we didn't know if the Germans were coming back. Every Monday morning [I think it was] the sirens were tested just incase. Those days shaped who we were and still are, possibly with a different perspective on life. |
Its also the case we all had relatives who had seen pout the blitz and never forgot to remind us when we got too precious. | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 19:39 - Feb 22 with 279 views | max936 |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 09:25 - Feb 22 by onehunglow |
It was cleared and read a fine town centre
Very buzzing
My old junior school , Brynhyfryd, still had the leftovers of air raid shelters
I was born five years after the end of the War and supppse a good time |
I went to Brynhyfryd school, used to call to my Grandparents [Mothers Parents] in Fredrick St, my Gran had passed away by then though sadly I was 2 we she passed I think. | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:05 - Feb 22 with 247 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 19:39 - Feb 22 by max936 |
I went to Brynhyfryd school, used to call to my Grandparents [Mothers Parents] in Fredrick St, my Gran had passed away by then though sadly I was 2 we she passed I think. |
Mr Aubrey was head when I passed 11 plus for BG
Only went there as they had a pool and I loved swimming
Still do | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:38 - Feb 23 with 226 views | Boundy |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 14:47 - Feb 22 by onehunglow |
Its also the case we all had relatives who had seen pout the blitz and never forgot to remind us when we got too precious. |
My parents were youngsters at the time and to me its hard to believe what innocent civilians had to endure night after night then get up if they survived to try and live another day with the expectation of more of the same in the night. | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 09:00 - Feb 23 with 215 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:38 - Feb 23 by Boundy |
My parents were youngsters at the time and to me its hard to believe what innocent civilians had to endure night after night then get up if they survived to try and live another day with the expectation of more of the same in the night. |
My dad family home was in Manor Rd and a bpmb hit a house nearby
They were lucky
Used to live next to the school in Cecil St until 1961 and plenty of post war detritus still around
Moved to Gendros as my dad built three bungalows in Middle Rd
Only stayed nine months though
Then to Killay
Memories stay forever | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 21:17 - Feb 23 with 163 views | max936 |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:05 - Feb 22 by onehunglow |
Mr Aubrey was head when I passed 11 plus for BG
Only went there as they had a pool and I loved swimming
Still do |
I can't remember Brynhyfryd school having a pool, not sure as to what age I was when I was there, went to Manselton infants, then Brynhyfryd then back to Manselton then Dynevor. | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 21:24 - Feb 23 with 158 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 21:17 - Feb 23 by max936 |
I can't remember Brynhyfryd school having a pool, not sure as to what age I was when I was there, went to Manselton infants, then Brynhyfryd then back to Manselton then Dynevor. |
Went there …. BH
One did the eleven plus
Brynhyfryd did use Morriston open air baths though
Imagine that now | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 22:27 - Feb 23 with 138 views | Boundy |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 21:24 - Feb 23 by onehunglow |
Went there …. BH
One did the eleven plus
Brynhyfryd did use Morriston open air baths though
Imagine that now |
Morriston's open air pool in the park in November  | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:05 - Feb 23 with 129 views | max936 |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 22:27 - Feb 23 by Boundy |
Morriston's open air pool in the park in November |
I remember the salt water baths down Rotherslade hours of fun, I love water always have, when I'm swimming I'm in my happy place, just being near water fishing swimming whatever, I love it. | |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 02:34 - Feb 24 with 114 views | Robbie |
My late great Uncle was a spotter on Loughor River when The Luftwaffe tried to sneak up under darkness to attack Swansea , hence a failed a bombing attempt resulted in them dropping their ammo over the River to get away with a lighter payload on the way back .
He was on duty soon after in One Eye Lid after surving the Dunkirk heroics and horrors .
Controlled explosions are still ongoing on the marshes to this day with warning signs to the Public Ramblers . | | | |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:26 - Feb 24 with 64 views | Boundy |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 23:05 - Feb 23 by max936 |
I remember the salt water baths down Rotherslade hours of fun, I love water always have, when I'm swimming I'm in my happy place, just being near water fishing swimming whatever, I love it. |
I can swim but not a great lover of the activity , I learnt to do in the Tawe near Heol Las where there was a great big weir ( to me it seemed huge) which formed a pond and allowed a gentle introduction into the art of not drowning. The weirs' now long gone as has my keeness to dip a toe., I don't mind sea swimming as its a bit of fun with the dogs .I'm like you I love the coast line of where ever I am and lucky enough to live just a few minutes from Swansea sands . | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 09:44 - Feb 24 with 41 views | onehunglow |
| Swansea's 3 nights blitz on 08:26 - Feb 24 by Boundy |
I can swim but not a great lover of the activity , I learnt to do in the Tawe near Heol Las where there was a great big weir ( to me it seemed huge) which formed a pond and allowed a gentle introduction into the art of not drowning. The weirs' now long gone as has my keeness to dip a toe., I don't mind sea swimming as its a bit of fun with the dogs .I'm like you I love the coast line of where ever I am and lucky enough to live just a few minutes from Swansea sands . |
Apparently I was a boisterous boy and a bit of a pain
Hard to believe innit
My mums mum
Lived on Fleet St where they kept a pair of those wooden swimming cossies that dragged you under the water when soaked
I got told to go the beach ,along with my sister, to swim
Over Oystermouth Rd unaccompanied
I wouldn’t have been 10!
Child abuse now
I still love swimming and keep it up
You are fortunate there with half decent sea water
Here it’s muddy but passable but big plans for river swimming in New Brighton
I doubt I will long enough to see it
Thanks for this thread and it’s memories | |
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