Bomb Disposal Memorial - Coventry, UK
Posted by: 
Superted
N 52° 23.323 W 001° 29.413
30U E 602744 N 5805346
In memory of the seven men of the Royal Engineers 9th Bomb Disposal Company who lost their lives when an unexploded German bomb removed from the city centre exploded whilst being unloaded near this spot.
Waymark Code: WM55WX
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/16/2008
Views: 19
Inscription on Plaque:
In memory of the seven men of the Royal Engineers 9th Bomb Disposal Company who lost their lives when an unexploded German bomb removed from the city centre exploded whilst being unloaded near this spot for defusing on Whitley Common on 18 October, 1940.
The Seven Brave Men:
2nd Lieutenant Alexander Fraser Campbell, George Cross, Age 42.
Sergeant Michael Gibson, George Cross, Age 34.
Sapper William Gibson, Age 22.
Sapper Richard Gilchrest, Age 23.
Sapper Jack Plumb, Age 25.
Sapper Ronald William Skelton, Age 20.
Royal Army Service Corps Driver Ernest Frederick George Taylor, Age 32.
Story from Coventry evening Telegraph Oct 21st 2008:
SEVEN brave men who perished when a Luftwaffe bomb exploded in Coventry have finally been honoured in the city where they laid down their lives.
They were all members of an Army bomb disposal team transporting the unexploded German bomb out of harm's way - but it went off as they were unloading it at Whitley Common, killing them all.
Their sacrifice was movingly remembered on Saturday - 68 years to the day since the tragedy - when a boulder with a plaque was unveiled on the common.
For Reg Kimber, the 72-year-old secretary of the Whitley Local History Group, the unveiling represented the emotional conclusion to what had become both a quest and a labour of love.
Reg said: "When we started our local history group four years ago, a permanent memorial has always been an ambition.
"This project has taken a lot of time, but it has been worth it. It is an acknowledgement of my ambitions and the ambitions of our group to honour these seven brave men who gave their lives in Coventry."
One of those who died was Newcastle-born Sgt Michael Gibson. He was 34 when the bomb exploded in Coventry.
Saturday's poignant unveiling ceremony was attended by three generations of his family - his son Derek, now 76, his 54-year-old grandson Michael, and his nine-year-old great grandson, also called Michael. They travelled from Tyneside to attend.
Sgt Gibson's son said: "I was only a lad when my father was killed. I remember when we were told the news.
We were in an air raid shelter and they said they had some bad news for my mother.
"When I heard about this unveiling in Coventry, I said to my family that I'm going down and I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Mr Gibson's son, Michael - the grandson of Sgt Michael Gibson - said: "This is a great honour. My father brought me up to remember his dad and my grandfather - that's why I'm called Michael, after him. And I've named my son Michael. His name lives on.
"I've been looking up Coventry on the internet and the city had it bad in the war. It must have been a living hell for all those who were living in the city during the war."
Among the onlookers as the plaque was unveiled was 87-year-old Vera Usherwood, of Bennetts Road, Keresley. She was just 19 when the seven soldiers were killed.
She recalled: "My friend's mother ran a cafe on the corner of Cox Street and Godiva Street in Coventry during the war.
"She told me that the seven soldiers were having a meal in the cafe when the signal came through about the bomb. I remember it like it was yesterday.
"The cafe was run by Marnie Metcalfe and she said she'd forgotten to put a rice pudding in the oven.
"She asked the captain if they (the seven) could stay to have their pudding, but he said no. I remember her telling me afterwards that they'd all been killed. It was so sad."
Saturday's service was carried out by the Rev Pam Stotes, vicar of Whitley Church, as 10 regimental standard bearers stood proudly to attention.
Date of Dedication: 10/19/2008
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: A public road passes within 15 meters of the memorial.
Location of waymark:
Whitley
Coventry, United Kingdom
Commemoration: Royal Engineers 9th Bomb Disposal Company
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your GPSr. We'd prefer a photo containing YOU at the monument, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Also include a bit about your visit here.