Remembering the Hedon Blitz victims of Magdalen Lane, Hedon May 8th 1941

VICTIMS OF HEDON AIR RAID REMEMBERED

It was tonight, 80 years ago during the second world war, that 12 people were killed in Hedon when two neighbouring homes in Magdalen Lane were bombed and destroyed during an air raid in the town.

THE 7th – 9th MAY 1941 saw the heaviest bombing raids on Hull during the second world war. During three nights of bombing, there were 1,200 casualties and 420 people killed. Hedon was also bombed and on the night of 8th May 1941 two houses, Ashley Villas and Daisy Villas, on Magdalen Lane were destroyed and twelve people killed, seven of them from the same family.

Until recently, it was believed that six members of the Spicer family had been killed in the blast. That is what was listed on the official casualty list. However, during Hedon Blog investigations, it was re-discovered that 23-year-old Norman Spicer was also killed. He was on leave from the war at the family home on the night of the bombing.

The tragedy went on for the Spicer family after the event. The sole surviving Spicer family member, son Jack, who was out working as a lorry driver on the night of the bombing, died in 1943. He was aged only 22 at his death.

The victims of the Hedon Blitz are commemorated in a special Memorial Tribute Parchment created by Muriel Scudamore and Julie Marshall which is currently hung in the Hedon Town Hall.

On Remembrance Day 2013, Mr Don Failey of the Royal British Legion presented the memorial to the Hedon Mayor Councillor Jim Lindop. The memorial honours all the men, women and children of Hedon who were killed by enemy action in the town during World War II. 

More about the tragedy is available by following this link (each article has some very interesting comments): Hedon: The Blitz.