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Bath Blitz memorial unveiled on site of WW2 explosion | Bath Blitz memorial unveiled on site of WW2 explosion |
(1 day later) | |
A new monument has been unveiled in Bath on the spot where 28 people lost their lives during World War Two. | A new monument has been unveiled in Bath on the spot where 28 people lost their lives during World War Two. |
Local historian Chris Kilminster, who lost five family members, raised more than £15,000 to fund the memorial on the site of an air raid shelter hit by the bomb on 26 April 1942. | Local historian Chris Kilminster, who lost five family members, raised more than £15,000 to fund the memorial on the site of an air raid shelter hit by the bomb on 26 April 1942. |
Mr Kilminster said he was "so grateful" to people who supported his campaign. | Mr Kilminster said he was "so grateful" to people who supported his campaign. |
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kilminster said his memorial was for the 417 people who died in the Bath Blitz. | |
It is believed German bombers were intending to hit a nearby railway junction or gas works with the 500kg (1,100lb) bomb but fell short. | It is believed German bombers were intending to hit a nearby railway junction or gas works with the 500kg (1,100lb) bomb but fell short. |
'No victors' | 'No victors' |
The site at Roseberry Road is currently being redeveloped into a mix of apartments and retail units. | The site at Roseberry Road is currently being redeveloped into a mix of apartments and retail units. |
Developers funded the statue and gave Mr Kilminster the space for his memorial. | |
It is in small garden named Mary's Walk, in honour of his sister who was seven when she died. | |
"My other sister Shirley was blown out of the shelter, she landed on the rubble," he said. | "My other sister Shirley was blown out of the shelter, she landed on the rubble," he said. |
"She remembered seeing the sky on fire, and wondering why everyone was asleep on the floor. | "She remembered seeing the sky on fire, and wondering why everyone was asleep on the floor. |
"My mum also escaped with her life but she lost a leg in the blast. | |
"It was a disaster, it was such a big loss of life." | "It was a disaster, it was such a big loss of life." |
Also dedicated at the site was a World War One gravestone, found during building works, which honours two soldiers of the South African 1st Regiment. | Also dedicated at the site was a World War One gravestone, found during building works, which honours two soldiers of the South African 1st Regiment. |
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kilminster said "in war there are no victors, only victims". | |
"If I can make one person realise the consequences of war, then I've done my job." | "If I can make one person realise the consequences of war, then I've done my job." |
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