Paper Memories

Air Raid 1943


 Boldon Colliery suffered heavy damage in last night's enemy raid on the North-East Coast. A police sergeant and a young women was killed and in neighbouring West Boldon three other young people were killed by blast from a high explosve bomb as they were running to put out an incendiary bomb.

Altogether it is estimated that 25 planes took part in the raid and only about half of them came over the land. One was brought down. German radio says "Heavy bombers of the Luftwaffe effectively continued their attackes on Newcastle and the East Coast of England last night."

A heavy and almost continuous barrage was kept up against the raiders by anti-air-craft batteries.

Buildings in the bombed village were wrecked-the Co-operative stores on both sides of the street, the miners Hall, Workmen's institute, Police station a chapel, a public-house, many shops and houses. At least eight streets were involved in this incident, and it is miraculous that nobody was killed at this point. Many families were rendered homeless and rest centres were opened.

All night long wardens and other braches of Civil Defence services were at work helping the injured and homeless. So great was the spirit of neighbourliness shown by all that this morning only a minority were without homes to go to for temporary accomodation.

Sunderland Daily echo 1943


Boldon Designated a Military Defence Area
Dispute with Police
A Dispute between the Boldon police and three Jarrow men who had gone to a dance at the Miners' Hall, Boldon Colliery, had a sequel at the County Police Court at Jarrow to-day when the men were charged with having unlawfully entered a Defence Area on September 23.
The defendants were Thomas McGovan (21), of Langley Terrace, Primrose; Henry McCullough (19), of Chipchase Terrace, Primrose; and William Reynolds (37) of Beaufront Terrrace, Primrose. McGovan and Reynoldds were also charged with having entered the Defence Area on September 28.
Supt. J. G. Hammond said that Billingham, Boldon, and Seaham were classified as Defence Areas and the regulations came into force on August 24. Jarrow was not a Defence Area within these regulations.
On Spetember 23 the defendants were seen at Boldon Colliery and were asked whether they were there for business or pleasure.
Supt. Hammond said defendants had been previously warned, but had taken no heed and had returned again. Police War Reserve Hall said that on September 23 there was a dance at the Miners' Hall, Boldon Colliery. He saw the three defendants at the entrance. He knoew they were strangers. They told him they lived at Primrose and McGovan and McCullough produced their identity cards, but Reynolds said he had left his ate home. He told defendants they had no right to be at Boldon Colliery, but they disagreed and argued with him. They all went to Boldon Colliery Police Station.
"You are Wrong"
P.C. Grieve said at the police station he told defendants they could not be allowed to come into that area unless they had business. Reynolds said, "you are wrong. All England is a deffence area now, and therefore we can go to London if we like." The defendants. P.C. Grieve said, continued to dispute that Boldon area was restricted to them and McCullough said. "You will find out where you are wrong."
P.C. Grieve said that on September 28 he McGovan and Reynolds at the Miners' Hall and he asked them why they had come. McGovan said he did not think he was doing any harm and Reynolds said. "I don't want to cause any trouble, but I though it was all right as I live nearer here than to Jarrow."
McGovan told the Magistrates that Primrose wa only about a mile from Boldon. It was the only way he could see a girl friend.
The Magistrates' Clerk, Mr V Grunhut, asked if the girl friend could not come to see him, and McGvan repleid that seeing she lived at Boldon he thought she could not come to Jarrow.
The Magistrates Clerk, "you can come from Boldon to Jarrow, but you cannot go from Jarrow to Boldon Colliery,"
Defendants, who pleaded guilty, were fined 5s in each case. In warning them, the Chairman (Mr A. S. Bowes) said that although they had been warned about going into the area they had deliberately gone back.

Source: Sunderland Echo
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 1940


Santa's Workshop Revealed!
Civil Defence personnel at East Boldon are making toys for war-time nurseries. SCrap wood is being utilized for model tanks, lorries, engines, and dolls' housese. Women members are making "soft" toys for the smaller Children.

Source: Sunderland Echo & Shipping Gazette
Date: Friday, October 9, 1942