The air raids of the First World War left a trail of destruction across the UK. Photo by Toni Frissell.
During the First World War, about 50 Zeppelin raids were made on Britain, killing more than 500 civilians and injuring more than 1,300. And, at the next meeting of Sedgley Local History Society, local residents can hear all about the deadly raid on the Black Country in January 1916.
Derek Nicholls, a local historian from Tipton, has spent 18 months researching the deadly raid on Tipton, Bradley, Wednesbury and Walsall inflicted by a Zeppelin that had lost its way. In around half an hour, the L21 had destroyed homes and buildings, killing about thirty five and injuring twenty.
With stalemate on the Western Front Zeppelin raids started in January 1915 with bombs dropped on King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. Three unsuccessful attempts to bomb central Birmingham resulted in only minor damage on the outskirts. The city was saved by applying a stringent blackout policy.
The next meeting of the Society takes place on Thursday, 13th November, at 7:30 pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Bilston Street, Sedgley.
As usual, visitors are invited to come along – admission £1. Annual membership of the Society costs £5 and gives free access to the programme of talks.
All About The Gornals With Ned Williams
‘The Gornals’ is the latest book by hugely popular local historian, Ned Williams.
This is Ned’s 50th book and, for many members of Sedgley Local History Society, he couldn’t have chosen a better subject. He covers Upper & Lower Gornal, Ruiton, Gornal Wood and The Straits in 200 pages of text and photographs.
The book will be launched on Friday, 14th November, at 2.30 pm at Zoar Methodist Church and later the same day at 7.30 pm at Upper Gornal Methodist Church. A Grand Book Launch with special guests and a presentation of ‘Gornal on Film’.
At both events, the paperback edition costs £10 and a limited hardback edition costs £15. (Later in bookshops the prices will be £13.50 & £18 respectively.)
Sedgleyscene 