Browse this website Close this menu
This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

Arthur Rippin Pulfree (49)

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 (26/9/1891)
Employment, Education or Hobbies He was a confectioner.
Family History

Arthur Rippin Pulfree was the son of Samuel and Catherine Pulfree and the brother of William, Ernest, Kate and Frank Pulfree. In 1901 and 1911, they lived at 3, Carnarvon Street, Nottingham. Arthur married Annie Allen in 1926 and their son John was born in 1930. In 1939 and 1941, Arthur and Annie lived at 47, St Stephen’s Road, 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, Deaths, Tuesday May 20th 1941: PULFREE – Arthur by enemy action. Beloved husband and father. Funeral Wednesday Wilford Hill 1.45. Nottingham Evening Post, 9/5/1942, Page 2, In Memoriam: PULFREE – Arthur, devoted husband and father, taken sudden[y from our midst one year today. To know him was to love him. – Wife and sons. PULFREE – Remembrance of my dear friend and pal, Arthur, May 9th 1941, by enemy action. Also my other pals (bakery). – Tom Broomhead and family. Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: Q30/1 Buried May 21st 1941

Photographs

No Photos