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This data is related to World War 2
Civilian

Edgar Robert Roberts (38)

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 (12/4/1903)
Employment, Education or Hobbies In 1921, Edgar Roberts was a soldier, Defence Force packer employed by Wigley & Sons, Warser Gate, Nottingham. He was later employed by Nottingham Co-operative Society as a canteen cook.
Family History

Edgar Roberts was the son of Alfred George and Lucy Roberts and the brother of Lucy, Dorothy and Amelia Roberts. In 1911, they lived at 17, Allison Rise, Alfred Street, Central, Nottingham. On census day 1921, Edgar Roberts was visiting Walter Hildesley, a clerk in Holy Orders, Chapel to the Forces, at The Rectory, Old Colwick, Colwick, Nottingham. On the day the 1939 Register was taken, Edgar was visiting Vernon Marlow, a Nottingham Co-operative Society branch manager, and his wife Dorothy at 76, Hawton Crescent, Middleton Boulevard, 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

Grave Reference: Wilford Hill: M27/61 Buried May 15th 1941

Photographs

No Photos