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Air Raids on Box
Alan Payne February 2018 The fear of bombs striking Box was ever-present throughout the war because the Central Ammunitions Depot in the quarries made the village a potential prime German target. As well as local safety needs, there was a national imperative to observe and report air raid strikes to anticipate the destination of German bombers and to enable Allied fighter plans to intercept. Indeed it has been claimed that the ARP (Air Raid Prevention wardens) were fundamental in winning the war. The importance of the issue started before war was declared and intensified after June 1940 when France fell to German invasion. The Siren Saga The air raid warning siren at the bottom Hazelbury Hill in a back garden surrounded by houses was one of the most contentious issues in 1940.[1] The siren was being sounded many times a day, when up to thirty bus loads of factory workers came rattling through the village at night. The disruption was caused by the number of siren warnings and the volume of the noise made matters worse because the valley served to amplify the sound.[2] |
ARP report form (courtesy Eric Callaway)
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The parish magazine of August 1940 expressed the ambivalence of residents to the repeated warnings that those who wish to leave (during a service to go into a shelter) should do so as quietly as possible. We shall under ordinary conditions carry on with the service, and no doubt the majority of people will do so too. But it wasn't just the sounding of the siren that caused a problem; it was its removal by the authorities in 1940 that also exercised villagers. The Chief Constable of Wiltshire and the County ARP Controller confirmed that the reason for its installation originally was for the purpose of warning the coach loads of workmen proceeding to and from Corsham and Bath but it was found that these coaches continued their journeys in spite of the warning... Sirens are not normally provided in country districts... A special exception was, however, made in June 1939 in the case of Box.
In August 1940, the decision was made to remove the siren and the local newspaper was able to report, Box has no siren now to sound ! [3] Robert Dyer, Box Parish Clerk, had been running the siren 24 hours a day, supplying a room, lighting and telephone, all for the price of 5s a week. At first, when electricians came to remove the loudspeaker the vicar referred them to the Corsham Police, but the decision was implemented.[4]
At a heated public meeting in the Schools on 20 August, over 600 people, the biggest ever held in the village, gave their views. Rev AF Maltin said that children and the elderly should be given the chance to take adequate cover when there are air raids.
A poem was read out by the Rector of Ditteridge, Rev Christopher Inchbald:
Return us our siren, we want it again,
We yearn for its voice as a lover;
As we stumble the garden in torrents of rain
To look for our dug-out and cover.
They tell me, I hardly dare mention the fact;
The truth my sad spirit appals,
The reason our siren refuses to act
Is the price of our telephone calls.
A resolution was passed that the meeting strongly urges the reinstatement on the grounds (of) our close proximity to places which must be nameless.[5]
In August 1940, the decision was made to remove the siren and the local newspaper was able to report, Box has no siren now to sound ! [3] Robert Dyer, Box Parish Clerk, had been running the siren 24 hours a day, supplying a room, lighting and telephone, all for the price of 5s a week. At first, when electricians came to remove the loudspeaker the vicar referred them to the Corsham Police, but the decision was implemented.[4]
At a heated public meeting in the Schools on 20 August, over 600 people, the biggest ever held in the village, gave their views. Rev AF Maltin said that children and the elderly should be given the chance to take adequate cover when there are air raids.
A poem was read out by the Rector of Ditteridge, Rev Christopher Inchbald:
Return us our siren, we want it again,
We yearn for its voice as a lover;
As we stumble the garden in torrents of rain
To look for our dug-out and cover.
They tell me, I hardly dare mention the fact;
The truth my sad spirit appals,
The reason our siren refuses to act
Is the price of our telephone calls.
A resolution was passed that the meeting strongly urges the reinstatement on the grounds (of) our close proximity to places which must be nameless.[5]
Janice Cannings Remembers Air Raids
I remember when a bomb was dropped at Colerne near the airdrome. I remember this because there were implications for my family. We had a mantle clock that only had to be wound up once a year - no doubt made by my father's ancestors the Bullock family of clockmakers. The clock stopped due to the bomb blast that came across the valley as we do look over at Colerne. It never went again.
A German plane was shot down near Box and the crew were all killed. My mother and I and many Box villagers went to the burial at the Box Cemetery. It was a military burial and I remember Allied soldiers firing guns up into the sky. The German airmen were buried in Box Cemetery under a yew tree. Some years later the wife of one of the airmen made enquiries from Germany about where he was buried. Some time later the airmen were re-interred at a war graves cemetery in the North of England.
There used to be a small cafe opposite the bottom of Chapel Lane. It was owned by Mrs Gray, whose father-in-law was reputedly an editor on the New York Times. The German prisoners-of-war were brought to the cafe for refreshments in a lorry from the farms where they worked. I also remember the Italian prisoners-of-war who would walk down Chapel Lane always with a red patch on their backs. They always walked in twos and, to me, they had dark hair and seemed short in stature.
I remember when a bomb was dropped at Colerne near the airdrome. I remember this because there were implications for my family. We had a mantle clock that only had to be wound up once a year - no doubt made by my father's ancestors the Bullock family of clockmakers. The clock stopped due to the bomb blast that came across the valley as we do look over at Colerne. It never went again.
A German plane was shot down near Box and the crew were all killed. My mother and I and many Box villagers went to the burial at the Box Cemetery. It was a military burial and I remember Allied soldiers firing guns up into the sky. The German airmen were buried in Box Cemetery under a yew tree. Some years later the wife of one of the airmen made enquiries from Germany about where he was buried. Some time later the airmen were re-interred at a war graves cemetery in the North of England.
There used to be a small cafe opposite the bottom of Chapel Lane. It was owned by Mrs Gray, whose father-in-law was reputedly an editor on the New York Times. The German prisoners-of-war were brought to the cafe for refreshments in a lorry from the farms where they worked. I also remember the Italian prisoners-of-war who would walk down Chapel Lane always with a red patch on their backs. They always walked in twos and, to me, they had dark hair and seemed short in stature.
German Pilots Killed
The disturbing incident of the death of five German airmen was in October 1940.
The disturbing incident of the death of five German airmen was in October 1940.
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The airmen were buried in Plot C1 under a Yew tree in west corner of the Cemetery, marked by a wooden cross. They were buried decently and with military honours, because if there is one shred of international honour left, it is to treat with respect the enemy dead... If your son or my son suffered such (shot down over enemy territory) we should not care to think that he was buried like a dog. [6] But the village was troubled by their presence and the circumstances which had caused their death and many, including Mrs Cannings at Pye Corner, had seen the aerial fight happen.[7]
The coffins were housed at first alongside the fire engine where there was also a mortuary.[8] In later years a generous epitaph was made to the German men, which is still recalled in the Cemetery Chapel. The men were named as Rudolph Beck, aged 20; Rudolph Kirchhoff, 31; Hans Fritz Merz, 22; Gunter Wittkamp, 24; and Johann Schmidt, 21. Four were from the same plane, shot down on 25 September 1940 at Woolverton; the fifth was killed in a separate action two days later. They were all transferred to the German War Graves Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Cheshire in 1963.
The coffins were housed at first alongside the fire engine where there was also a mortuary.[8] In later years a generous epitaph was made to the German men, which is still recalled in the Cemetery Chapel. The men were named as Rudolph Beck, aged 20; Rudolph Kirchhoff, 31; Hans Fritz Merz, 22; Gunter Wittkamp, 24; and Johann Schmidt, 21. Four were from the same plane, shot down on 25 September 1940 at Woolverton; the fifth was killed in a separate action two days later. They were all transferred to the German War Graves Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Cheshire in 1963.
Bombs on Box, August 1940 to May 1941
In February 1941 a meeting was held in the school to consider what action was needed in the event of incendiary bombs falling on houses in the village. [9] The village was to be divided into sections manned by people not engaged in Home Guard work, using sand and water to be kept in buckets by households in the area of damage. A number of assembly points were established: Bingham Hall, the school, chapel schoolroom, Box Hill Institute, Scouts' Hall, a barn at Ditteridge, Box Station waiting room, the harness room at Ashley Manor, and various garages, lofts and barns. Storage of belongings was to be at the Queen's Head stables, and Mr. Milsom's garage in Burton Lane.[10]
The official ARP (Air Raid Precaution) Minute Book for Warden's Post No 4, Box Hill, was diligently maintained in pencil by
EE (Eddie) Callaway who lived at Dorma on Box Hill. From June 1940 a record was kept daily even when there was little to report, such as the mere sounding of the air raid warning siren. By 1941 there were major incidents to report with the dropping of bombs in the area. The extracts below tell of the alarm caused.
7 August 1940 22.30 red until 1.50 am 8 August
Two flares were dropped from very high up, appeared to be midway between Box Hill and Colerne, the first about 7 minutes to
12 o'clock and the other at 25 minutes to 1 am. No other incident occurred. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway.
24 August 1940 No siren warning Bomb dropped on Box Hill about 23.17
After making enquiries, position reported at 0.10 am. Made a further search until 3.30 am then reported no damage and no casualties. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway, May and Tucker.
18 November 1940 Explosions heard at 21.35 in the direction of Rudloe. Reported to Box 35 at 21.40. Reply received telling us to make enquiries which was done and then reported back to Box 35 at 23.15 saying we had been informed by the sentry at Rudloe the bombs had fallen midway between Rudloe and Widdenham in open ground doing no damage. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway, Tucker. Mr Mays reported to the post.
12 May 1941 Bombs dropped midway between Box Hill and Colerne at 2.17 am. On making a search 11 craters were found some of them being 38 feet x 38 feet x 14 feet deep. All dropped on open fields.
You can read Eddie Callaway's full diary by clicking on the link below.
In February 1941 a meeting was held in the school to consider what action was needed in the event of incendiary bombs falling on houses in the village. [9] The village was to be divided into sections manned by people not engaged in Home Guard work, using sand and water to be kept in buckets by households in the area of damage. A number of assembly points were established: Bingham Hall, the school, chapel schoolroom, Box Hill Institute, Scouts' Hall, a barn at Ditteridge, Box Station waiting room, the harness room at Ashley Manor, and various garages, lofts and barns. Storage of belongings was to be at the Queen's Head stables, and Mr. Milsom's garage in Burton Lane.[10]
The official ARP (Air Raid Precaution) Minute Book for Warden's Post No 4, Box Hill, was diligently maintained in pencil by
EE (Eddie) Callaway who lived at Dorma on Box Hill. From June 1940 a record was kept daily even when there was little to report, such as the mere sounding of the air raid warning siren. By 1941 there were major incidents to report with the dropping of bombs in the area. The extracts below tell of the alarm caused.
7 August 1940 22.30 red until 1.50 am 8 August
Two flares were dropped from very high up, appeared to be midway between Box Hill and Colerne, the first about 7 minutes to
12 o'clock and the other at 25 minutes to 1 am. No other incident occurred. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway.
24 August 1940 No siren warning Bomb dropped on Box Hill about 23.17
After making enquiries, position reported at 0.10 am. Made a further search until 3.30 am then reported no damage and no casualties. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway, May and Tucker.
18 November 1940 Explosions heard at 21.35 in the direction of Rudloe. Reported to Box 35 at 21.40. Reply received telling us to make enquiries which was done and then reported back to Box 35 at 23.15 saying we had been informed by the sentry at Rudloe the bombs had fallen midway between Rudloe and Widdenham in open ground doing no damage. Wardens on duty Abrahams, Callaway, Tucker. Mr Mays reported to the post.
12 May 1941 Bombs dropped midway between Box Hill and Colerne at 2.17 am. On making a search 11 craters were found some of them being 38 feet x 38 feet x 14 feet deep. All dropped on open fields.
You can read Eddie Callaway's full diary by clicking on the link below.
| arp_warden_diary.pdf |
Bob Hancock Remembered Bombs Dropped on Box
There were other random bombs dropped on Box during the war but the Germans made no concerted attempt to target the the underground quarries and there were no casualties of village residents. One bomb fell at the top of Townsend, Box, in a field where the council houses now stand. Four bombs dropped on Mr Ody's land near Saltbox in a field called Crab Orchard. I went out of the house and played in the bomb crater. Another fell on the ground owned by George Gifford where there is now a sewer bed. On 13 September 1940 two bombs fell at Colerne and another two in November.[11]
I remember as a small child walking from Ingalls to Saltbox Farm. When I arrived it was a blitz night and everyone, the Tiley and the Hancock families, were outside for safety reasons as the German bombers flew overhead. The plane eventually delivered its load in Box Valley.
Ken Rickson Remembered a Crash at Colerne
I remember one plane crash on the fields below Colerne. I saw it go down, just off the road, and cycled there. I saw four bodies still in the plane, just charred bones.
There were other random bombs dropped on Box during the war but the Germans made no concerted attempt to target the the underground quarries and there were no casualties of village residents. One bomb fell at the top of Townsend, Box, in a field where the council houses now stand. Four bombs dropped on Mr Ody's land near Saltbox in a field called Crab Orchard. I went out of the house and played in the bomb crater. Another fell on the ground owned by George Gifford where there is now a sewer bed. On 13 September 1940 two bombs fell at Colerne and another two in November.[11]
I remember as a small child walking from Ingalls to Saltbox Farm. When I arrived it was a blitz night and everyone, the Tiley and the Hancock families, were outside for safety reasons as the German bombers flew overhead. The plane eventually delivered its load in Box Valley.
Ken Rickson Remembered a Crash at Colerne
I remember one plane crash on the fields below Colerne. I saw it go down, just off the road, and cycled there. I saw four bodies still in the plane, just charred bones.
References
[1] Courtesy Eric Callaway and Parish Magazine, August 1940
[2] Parish Magazine, August 1940 and July 1965
[3] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 31 August 1940
[4] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[6] Parish Magazine, October 1940
[7] Courtesy Janice Cannings
[8] Courtesy Richard Browning
[9] Parish Magazine, March 1941
[10] Parish Magazine, October 1941
[11] Andrew Langley and John Utting, The Village on Hill, 1990, Colerne History Group, p.135
[1] Courtesy Eric Callaway and Parish Magazine, August 1940
[2] Parish Magazine, August 1940 and July 1965
[3] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 31 August 1940
[4] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[6] Parish Magazine, October 1940
[7] Courtesy Janice Cannings
[8] Courtesy Richard Browning
[9] Parish Magazine, March 1941
[10] Parish Magazine, October 1941
[11] Andrew Langley and John Utting, The Village on Hill, 1990, Colerne History Group, p.135