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This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

Herbert Button (55)

Service Number N/A
Military Unit Co-op Bakery Meadow Lane Nottingham 9/5/1941
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death Unknown (Age Unknown)
Place of Birth Nottingham (14/3/1886)
Employment, Education or Hobbies He was a baker.
Family History

Herbert Button was the son of Abraham and Rebecca Button and the brother of Frank, Ernest and Annie Button. They lived in 1901 at 174, Gordon Road, Nottingham. Herbert was an apprentice hairdresser at this stage. Herbert was the husband of Florrie Button (married 28/1/1909 at St Ann’s Parish Church) and the father of John Henry and Edna Button. They lived firstly at 53, Peashill Road before moving to 31, Brighton Street (both St Ann’s, Nottingham) their home at the time of Herbert’s death.

Military History

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).

Extra Information

Herbert Button enlisted 3/7/1917 and served (89557) in the UK with the Labour Corps until 1919. Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: BUTTON – Herbert, beloved husband of Florrie, father of Henry and Edna, killed by enemy action one year today. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill, G/30

Photographs

No Photos