Frederick Andrew Bourne (59)

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).

Alfred Bourne, serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps in May 1941, was given compassionate leave upon receiving news that his father was among Nottingham’s air raid missing. He was allowed through a Meadow Lane police cordon because ‘I might be of some use but even if I had been more medically qualified there was nothing there anyone could do for those in the ruins… I am compelled to say the scene was one of absolute horror. The bakery workers had been trapped by falling masonry and ensnared in tangled masses of machinery. The rescue workers had no lives to save and could only move masses of rubble… The gruesomeness of that scene is beyond my power to depict and there was also the inevitable stench that is always present where bodies have lain for any length of time. One morning, I was told my father’s body had been found. My mother told me that they had asked her to identify the remains of a horn-handled jack knife and a dart stuck in a cork. I have forgotten what my father needed the cork and dart for.’ (At the Victoria Baths temporary mortuary) ‘they told me he had not died at the bombing but a little later from his burns. He was already buried at Wilford Hill as an unknown casualty and we eventually established his grave… I am sorry if my contribution is gruesome but war is gruesome, foul and obscene.’ (Nottingham Evening Post, Letters 9/9/1991) Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: BOURNE – Frederick. Memories of our dear father who was killed by enemy action in the N.CS. bakery. One year today – From loving daughter Elsie, Albert and grandson Brian. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: T31/69B Buried May 14th 1941