William Bilson (56)

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, Deaths, Monday May 12th 1941 BILSON – William. Killed by enemy action in May. As he bravely lived so he bravely died. Broken hearted wife, sons Bill and George, daughter Jan. Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: BILSON – William, killed year today. Resting, - Sorrowing wife, sons, sisters. Jan, grandchildren. Grave Reference: Church Rock All Souls Cemetery Nottingham: 642 Buried May 14th 1941