Dignitaries and the public gathered to remember the victims of the 1943 bombing of Newport at a memorial service last week organised by Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC).
Twenty one people including two children aged five and twelve, died as a result of the 7th April attack at 7.30am, which lasted around a minute. Eight aircraft dropped fatal bombs at Church Litten, Clarence Rd, Chapel St and Moreys timber yard. Other bombs fell in Pyle St, High St, Mill St and Upper St James St causing significant damage.
Candles lit for those lost
During the service held at St John’s Church, the names of those who died were read out as 21 candles were lit in remembrance, in some cases by family members.
Gould: I grew up hearing accounts of that terrible morning
Lighting candles for the five Moreys employees, Peter Gould said,
“I felt privileged to be asked to remember those from Moreys who died. My grandfather and father were with the firm at the time and, although not born until a year later, I grew up hearing accounts of that terrible morning.
“Twenty years later I joined the business myself, working alongside some of the survivors.”
Barton School choir performed and a poem was read by Matthew Arnell from Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service in honour of the five volunteer fire watchers who died.
Donation of memorial vase
As there was no grave marker for Violet Dudley and her five year old daughter Valerie, Jason French from Island Memorials kindly donated and installed a memorial vase for their grave at Newport Cemetery.
French: A privilege and an honour
Jason said,
“It was a privilege and honour to be approached by NCCC to produce and install a Memorial Vase on an unmarked grave in Newport Cemetery for a Mother and Daughter that so tragically lost their lives in the Second World War, like so many, lest we forget.”
The flowers from the service were shared amongst the graves of those victims buried on the island and the brick memorial at Church Litten.
News shared by Lucy on behalf of Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council. Ed
