George Samuel Bream (37)
- Family History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Samuel Bream was the son of Samuel Charles and Sarah Elizabeth Bream and the brother of Douglas Ivor Bream. In 1921, they lived on Charnwood Grove, West Bridgford. In 1927 George married Elsie Raynor at Nottingham and they lived at 78, Blake Road, West Bridgford.
Nottingham’s heaviest loss of life at a single location during May 9th 1941’s air raid occurred within the Co-op Bakery on Meadow Lane where 49 night shift workers perished. The bakery was hit twice; one bomb caused tons of flour stored on upper floors to crash down to ground level. A second device penetrated the bakery’s air raid shelter roof before exploding amongst the assembled work force. Rescue efforts were impeded by blazing fat. For an excellent account of this incident, see David Needham, Battle of the Flames, Nottingham’s Fight for Survival in WWII (2nd Ed. Chesterfield: Banister Publications Ltd, 2020 p.p. 141-142. First Ed. Horizon Press, 2009).
Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: BREAM – To the dear memory of my precious husband George, killed ( by enemy action )May 9th 1941. – Wife Elsie. BREAM – George. In loving memory of our dear son by enemy action May 9th 1941. One sad year. – Father, mother and brother Douglas. BREAM – Memories of George killed by enemy action. Son in law of Mr and Mrs Raynor. Remembered always. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: Q30/1 Buried May 20th 1941
George Samuel Bream was interred in the communal grave of 30 Nottingham Co-operative Society employees, 7 of them unidentified, killed 9/5/1941 when the bakery on Meadow Lane took a direct hit.
Photo: David Nunn