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This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

William Daubney (64)

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 (20/10/1876)
Employment, Education or Hobbies He was a fitter's labourer in 1911, a basket maker in 1921 and an unemployed night watchman by 1939. He was an ARP warden when killed.
Family History

William Daubney was the husband of Clara Daubney, who worked as a lace hand, and father of Mabel, Clara, Ethel, Winifred and Doris Daubney. In 1911, they lived at 2, Leopold Place, Pierrepont Street, Sneinton. Nottingham and had moved to 32, Leopold Street by 1921. At the time of William’s death, the family home was at 17, Cosby Road, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.

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

Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: DAUBNEY William, killed by enemy action, May 8th- 9th 1941. – Sorrowing wife and family. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: G30/3 Buried May 26th 1941

Photographs

No Photos