We have just received a report from the ARP wardens as follows:
The Abbey – Mervyn Stevens
At around 2:20pm we received word from our colleagues in Leicester that a doodlebug had passed overhead, and was approaching us. At 400mph, it would be with us in around 10 minutes. We scoured the skies, and sounded the alarm. We heard it approach, and cut out so we know it would be close. In fact, Rufford Abbey took a direct hit. There was an event on there involving armed forces as well as civilian families, so the race was on to evacuate the walking wounded and get them into the care of the WVS, who luckily were already present at the event.
ARP warden leads a family to safety – John Lee
A couple of families got out safely, but as the roof collapsed, an elderly couple were badly injured, as was a middle-aged man. There was a lot of blast damage, and the abbey building is now a complete wreck, but luckily there was only a small fire. The NFS had heard the V1 from some distance away, and were already near us when it landed, and they were on the scene within minutes. They used the TL to get water onto the fire, as well as hand-held branches. An ambulance arrived very quickly, and the two casualties were loaded.
A casualty is lowered from the building in a Neil Robertson rescue stretcher – John Lee
The NFS crew went into the building with rescue equipment in search of the third casualty, and eventually found him buried under rubble and in a very bad way. A Neil Robertson rescue stretcher was called for, and eventually the casualty was lowered down. But the shock was too much, and he passed away at the scene. A doctor pronounced him dead, and to avoid demoralising the gathered crowd, the corpse was hastily put into the back of the NFS K2 van and taken away to the local mortuary.
Firemen bring out an injured colleague – John Lee
While searching through the rubble, a pocket of leaked gas exploded, seriously injuring Fireman Townsley, who was brought out and carried to First Aid, suffering from wounds and serious burns to the chest and face.
Civilian casualty and injured fireman arrive at the field hospital – John Lee
The casualties were treated jointly by the Red Cross and the St John Ambulance crew who were nearby. All the Civil Defence staff joined the NFS for a cuppa afterwards.
But I don’t think the Abbey will ever be the same again.
Thanks to John Lee, Mick Hill, Robert Blincow, Martin Clewlow and Merv Stevens for the photos.
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- The Abbey – Mervyn Stevens
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- Firemen bring out an injured colleague – John Lee
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- ARPs with stretcher – John Lee
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- WVS comforts a casualty – John Lee
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- The next injured casualty comes out – John Lee
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- A fireman is badly injured in a gas explosion – John Lee
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- A casualty is helped to safety – John Lee
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- The Turntable Ladder is in place – John Lee
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- Water ON! – John Lee
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- A casualty comes out – John Lee
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- Smoke and debris – John Lee
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- Casualty on stretcher ready to go into the ambulance – John Lee
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- “Where’s my wife???!” – John Lee
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- “So glad we got out safely, son” – John Lee
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- Water to the fire – John Lee
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- A casualty is lowered from the building in a Neil Robertson rescue stretcher – John Lee
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- ARP just checking her notes – John Lee
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- Making up the hoses – John Lee
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- Being led to safety – John Lee
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- Taking the Neil Robertson rescue stretcher into the building
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- A fireman comforts a dying colleague – John Lee
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- The K4 Turntable Ladder – John Lee
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- ARP warden leads a family to safety – John Lee
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- TL on the scene – John Lee
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- Water from the TL – John Lee
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- Civilian casualty and injured fireman arrive at the field hospital – John Lee
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- Preparing the pump on the Fordson Pump Escape – John Lee
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- Before the doodlebug came – policemen question a spiv – John Lee
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- Fireman beckons the TL into position – John Lee
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- Elevating the ladder into the operating position – John Lee
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- Ambulance men bring in the stretcher – John Lee
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- Take Cover! This one is close. – John Lee
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- Father and son led to safety – John Lee
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- Wardens confer – John Lee
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- The ladder is trained into position
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- Taking rescue equipment – John Lee
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- Ambulance man with stretcher – John Lee
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- Getting equipment – John Lee
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- Take cover! – John Lee
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- Firemen direct water to the fire – John Lee
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- Rufford Abbey – John Lee
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- Fordson and 2 Austins – Martin Clewlow
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- Austin K4 Turntable Ladder – Martin Clewlow
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- Wardens confer – Robert Blincow
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- A moment’s rest – Robert Blincow
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- Warden escorts civilian to safety – Robert Blincow
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- Firemen, wardens and Police working together – Robert Blincow
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- Recording everyone’s names – Robert Blincow
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- At the Mess Canteen – Robert Blincow
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- Tea and safety – Robert Blincow
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- Welfare – Mick Hill
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- Led to safety – Mick Hill
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- Casualty brought out – Mick Hill
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- Recording the names – Mick Hill
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- Safely outside – Mick Hill
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- Welfare – Mick Hill
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- Welfare – Mick Hill
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- Mother and daughter led to safety – Mick Hill
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- Casualty – Mick Hill
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- Casualty – Mick Hill
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- Take cover! – Mick Hill
