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Memories of WWII

Photo of the bombing of Park Crescent

From the private collection of Peter Groves

Map of The Level Brighton, 1946 showing the bombing

From the private collection of Peter Groves

The Bombing of Park Crescent

There were over 50 air raids on the town of Brighton during World War II. Many are well documented, like the "infamous" raid on the Odeon Kemp Town on Saturday 14th September 1940. Brighton was of little military importance, raids were indiscriminate, however German pilots would drop unused bombs after raids on London or more important targets as they flew back over the coast, homeward! Nearly 200 people were killed in these raids and 200 houses completely demolished. Of course there were hundreds of casualties, and damaged buildings ran into thousands. The biggest raid on Brighton was at lunchtime on 25th May 1943 when up-to 25 German planes flew in at low level. Bombs were dropped over a wide area, and the number of fatalities was 25 with over 50 serious injuries.

The photo of Park Crescent Brighton shows the aftermath of one of the 50 plus raids. The date is unknown, but hopefully someone can enlighten me! At first glance I thought the photo was taken from the north end of the Level, looking north up the Lewes Road. However further investigation, and with the aid of the 1946 map of bombs dropped on Brighton, it can be seen that the Park Crescent bomb dropped on the rear, north side of the Crescent. A section of the 1946 map indicates the actual position. Looking again at the photo, it must have been taken looking southwards towards the Level.

Added to the site on 19-10-05

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

An interesting article, Peter. If you were looking at the same book as me, 'Brighton & Hove 'Under Fire'', the picture appears between bombings in 1941 & 1943, so I should imagine the date is around 1942. Timothy Carder, in The Encyclopaedia of Brighton, says 1942, but gives no date.

By Geoff (23/10/2005)

I remember sitting aged 3 on the first floor front room in our house in Addison Road on a hot day in 1943 when the road got hit without warning by bombs which demolished a block of ten or so houses in Addison Rd and Colbourne Rd. Quite scary - no time to get to the Anderson shelter downstairs. Was this the same raid you speak of involving 25 planes?

By Pat Benham (23/10/2005)

This bomb was dropped in 1941. I was a paper boy and delivered the morning papers from the stationers opposite the houses that were hit. This photograph was most likely taken a few days later for the debris looks as though it has mostly been cleared up.

By Cyril Pelham (28/11/2005)

My great-grandmother was in the bedroom of her house in Colbourne Road in March 1943 when a bomb crashed through the window and landed in the back garden. This must be the incident that Pat recalls. Four houses in Colbourne Road were demolished and rebuilt in 1947.

By Trevor Harvey (18/12/2005)

The houses in Park Crescent which were bombed were 24-27 Park Crescent - the photo must have been taken outside the Park Crescent pub. These houses were only rebuilt in the 1980s. I remember playing in what was (accurately) called 'the bomb site' as a child.

By Abigail Dombey (11/05/2006)

Can anyone tell me the origin of the name Colbourne Road?

By G Taylor (13/02/2007)

A possible derivation for the name Colbourne Road has been noted elsewhere on this site. Follow the links from the home page: Areas St Ann's Well Introduction to St Ann's Well What's in a name.

By Trevor Harvey (19/03/2007)