On Monday morning, staff and children at Invicta primary school joined firefighters past and present to mark 82 years since its original building was hit by a German parachute mine, killing 12 firefighters and three civilians. The school was being used as a base for the Auxiliary Fire Service at the time. Local war historian STEVE HUNNISETT was there – he takes up the story.
This year, the ceremony fell on the exact 82nd anniversary of the original incident, which occurred at 9:20 pm on 14th November 1940.
Ironically, the casualty list was so high because it was a rare quiet night in London, with the main thrust of the Luftwaffe’s attack being directed at the city of Coventry. As a result, instead of the resident firemen being out on calls as they would be on a “normal” Blitz night in London, they were still at the school, awaiting their first call of the night. The mine largely destroyed the school and instead of being the rescuers, the firemen of Invicta Road found themselves in need of help from the colleagues at other neighbouring fire stations.
Twelve firemen were killed, including Arthur Grant who had just weeks earlier been awarded the George Medal for carrying a live bomb from the assembly hall of the school into the playground, where it later exploded. Also killed were three civilians, including Charles White the school caretaker.
Present at the informal ceremony was Stephanie Maltman of the charity Firemen Remembered, who originally placed the plaque back in 2017. Also present were re-enactors representing the Auxiliary Fire Service and the Army, who fielded many questions from the pupils, including the school’s “History Hunters”, a group of children who specialise in the study of history. The History Hunters laid a poppy wreath at the memorial, as did a group of present-day firefighters from White Watch at East Greenwich Fire Station, who later to the delight of the children present, allowed them to inspect their fire engine and aim fire hoses across the school playground!
Thanks to Steve and Invicta Primary School for the photos.
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