|
In the early hours of Monday, 1st July 1941, enemy German
aircraft circled in the sky above Newport looking for a target to unload
their cargo of high explosive bombs on. Whatever
they thought their target might be, they dropped their deadly cargo on the
homes of Newport citizens in the Maindee area of Newport. Besides massive
destruction of property, 35 individuals were to lose their lives and these
included many women and children. Some families were wiped out or
virtually wiped out and some visitors to family or friends were also
killed as a tragic act of fate. The Thomas family,
father, mother and the two children killed at 16, Eveswell Street, the
Gimlett family lost seven members with two injured at 13, Eveswell Street and
so many friends and neighbours died together with others from nearby
Archibald Street. The Gimletts are buried together at St Woolos cemetery.
A well known Newport solicitor named Alfred Searle aged 80 lost his
life as well as his housekeeper
Daisy Frances
Pouncy, aged 61 when his home "Gaerwood" in Kensington
Place received a direct hit. A plaque is now in place in Woodland Park
where the house used to stand. Alfred's body as well as his house keepers
were unidentifiable and their remains are buried in a grave containing the
remains of six individuals who could not be identified at Christchurch
cemetery
Gaerwood House Memorial and Plaque
|