Genealogy Chat

I am looking for further information on air raids, shelters and life in general during WW2. My great grandparents were killed during a night of heavy bombing in Portsmouth on 10th January 1941. We know they were in a shelter and I have found their names on CWGC to confirm this. But that's all we really know. Because of the propaganda at the time, air raids and victims were not really reported in the media. Does anyone have any other ideas of where I might find out more either online or books etc? (I live in Holland so popping to Portsmouth for the day is not a short term option) Perhaps someone from the Portsmouth area can also give me some tips, if I'm able to get to Portsmouth, where I should go locally too?

There tend to be plenty of books covering different parts of the country during WWII. I had a quick look on AMAZON and spotted two straight away that dealt with the Portsmouth area. I am sure there are more. MB

Hm....well Portsmouth is not too far from Holland. It's quick to drive to the channel tunnel and then on the M25. About 4 hours I would say.

Portsmouth Museums have a WWW site, you could try an EMail to see if they have any suggestions. MB

Tobias....is it time for your medication?

Thanks Martin for the suggestions. I had looked on Amazon before but don't think I was specific enough with my search criteria. I will try again! Good idea to contact the local musuems too, although I had thought of that I hadn't realised quite so many had websites until now. Tobias, my goodness, you mean I can get on a train UNDER the channel?! You'll be telling me there are flying machines next ;-)

Hi Angela,I am from Portsmouth,I will try to help you. What area were they in, I know there was a shelter bombed in Arundel Street. I also have a few books to look at. I can find out for you where to look. Have you got anymore information that could prove helpful. Regards Christine

Angela Try this website: http://www(.)inportsmouth(.)co(.)uk/community/history/articles/anne_joseph(.)htm - don't forget to take out the brackets. The full article can be downloaded as a Word document. Good luck. David Vickers

Angela It seems that the air raid on Portsmouth on 10 January 1941 was particularly devastating. If you have not already done so, do a search on www(.).google(.)co(.)uk and search on Portsmouth Air Raid 1941. This will provide several links which may be of assistance. David

www.cwgc.org war graves commision gives details on civilian deaths as well as armforces. They even tell you what Cemetary where they are and how to get there try that site. Hope this helps Sue C.

Lilian Harry Orion Books ltd Orian House,5 Upper St Matin's Lane London WC2H 9EA. Lilian wrote from memory life in Portsmouth during ww2. I would try to contact her as her knowlege of this subject is vast, She may be able to help . Sue C

I think I just put "PORTSMOUTH" and "WAR" in the keywords section. Martin

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, some I had already followed but I now have plenty of new leads!