Love Letter to Kingston Upon Hull 1942

It is often said that the Port and Regional City of Kingston Upon Hull never received due recognition for the loss of life and damage to its buildings and infrastructure from enemy bombing during the second world war. Located on the east coast of England the city was very much on the front line from aerial attack either as a recognised target in its own right or as a dumping ground for unused ordnance as the Luftwaffe made a quick dash back to the occupied territories of Europe after raids deeper into the industrial areas of Yorkshire. 

In the mass of column inches in the London Times of October 8th 1942 I came across what amounts to a remarkable testament to the fortitude and resilience of the people of Hull. 

Home News- Hull after 70 Raids.

Unbroken spirit of the citizens- Lessons of experience from our special correspondent- Kingston Upon Hull, Oct 7th

Amid burnt and wrecked houses, churches and shops the Queen's Gardens in the centre of Hull remains a cheerful patch of colour. It is a pointer to the sprit to be found in this great and ancient port. Hull has suffered more than most places from bombing but, for all the added strain this has meant in a busy city time has been found- or made- to tend this pleasant garden constructed from where formerly there was a Dock.

There are strips of smooth lawn, clusters of bright blooms and, as well, a red patch of beet and other vegetables. And if the shattered homes nearby strengthen hatred of the Nazis, the garden is a pleasant reminder that the barbarian is far from achieving his end of a world devoid of beauty as of freedom and truth. 

Hull has had more than 70 air raids "with incidents" as the Wardens put it and nearly 800 alerts. Scarcely a street has escaped damage. The old Trinity House survives and the house where William Wilberforce was born still stands, somewhat remarkably, for the houses all around are wrecked. Many fine shops have disappeared. 

GERMAN'S FAILURE

But for all the damage to houses, churches, a hospital and shops, the Germans failed. Not once was activity in the port brought to a standstill - not even by the two heaviest raids on successive nights in May 1941. Hull, the third most important port before the war has triumphantly withstood siege in the past; it has magnificently maintained its own traditions.

One has to only walk about to see that the spirit of the people has not be damaged, however much their homes have suffered though no one would pretend that bombing is anything but horrible.

The Prime Minister exclaimed once "What kind of people do they think we are?" He knew then what the enemy are painfully learning. He has seen what Hull has suffered and knows its citizens, people such as the 92 year old sub-postmaster- decorated by the King- whose office was wrecked, reopened next day, wrecked again that night and forthwith opened once again; and people such as the women wardens of whom a report I was shown said "They were grand".

Hull has lessons for other towns and itself has not neglected to benefit from them.On one occasion a number of omnibuses was lost.; now the omnibuses are dispersed at night.The benefit of shelters on the outskirts, where a good nights sleep is possible, has been proved, as also has the high importance of tea and biscuits promptly served to those who have been bombed out. The need of ample emergency cooking arrangements and of mobile canteens has been well learned.