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The Blitz in Highfields
  • Leicester’s worst night of Second World War bombing was around Highfields in November 1940
  • On 19 November, at 10.40pm, three large bombs fell on the crossroads of Sparkenhoe, Saxby and Stoughton Streets
  • On 31 January 1941, four members of the ARP team received certificates of merit from the Duchess of Gloucester

Blitz Night

Leicester’s worst night of Second World War bombing was around Highfields in November 1940. 108 people died in the City, on this ‘Blitz Night’. On 19 November, at 10.40pm, three large bombs fell on the crossroads of Sparkenhoe, Saxby and Stoughton Streets. Saxby Street Methodist Church received a direct hit. Luckily 40 people in the Wesleyan Chapel schoolrooms next door (now Sparkenhoe Primary School) only had minor injuries. At 56 and 58 Saxby Street, six people died.

St Peter's Church on St Peter's Road was badly damaged during the bombing. The West windows were blown out and the church roof was badly damaged. There's still damage that is visible; holes in the stonework of the West door show shrapnel damage created on the night of the bombing.

Help raced to the scene

18 members of the local Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Mobile First Aid Unit, led by Dr Ernest Garrett, came to help. They set up a first aid station for the injured, at 80 Sparkenhoe Street. Their bus, parked in Stoughton Street, was hit by a bomb and three police officers nearby, Detective Sergeant Leonard Norman and Detective Constables Brian Hawkes and George Trump, were killed.

Certificates of Merit

On 31 January 1941, four members of the ARP team received certificates of merit from the Duchess of Gloucester, Deputy Commandant-in-Chief, Order of St John.

Medical Officer Dr Ernest Garrett
Sister Ivy Marsh
Senior First Aid Officer Carrie Wells
Nurse Hilda Hefford
For displaying ‘the utmost gallantry and devotion to duty in most trying circumstances.’

Timeline
Early 20th Century Leicester
Visitor information
Many buildings still exist

Gallery

Leicester’s Bond Street ARP Mobile First Aid Unit. - Austin J. Ruddy
Leicester’s Bond Street ARP Mobile First Aid Unit.
Austin J. Ruddy
The bombed corner of Sparkenhoe Street. - Austin J. Ruddy
The bombed corner of Sparkenhoe Street.
Austin J. Ruddy
The bombed corner of Saxby Street and Sparkenhoe Street, now Mann Motors. -
The bombed corner of Saxby Street and Sparkenhoe Street, now Mann Motors.

Roman Leicester

(47- 500) A military fort was erected, attracting traders and a growing civilian community to Leicester (known as Ratae Corieltauvorum to the Romans). The town steadily grew throughout the reign of the Romans.

Medieval Leicester

(500 – 1500) The early years of this period was one of unrest with Saxon, Danes and Norman invaders having their influences over the town. Later, of course, came Richard III and the final battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought on Leicester’s doorstep.

Tudor & Stuart Leicester

(1500 – 1700) The wool trade flourished in Leicester with one local, a former mayor named William Wigston, making his fortune. During the English Civil War a bloody battle was fought as the forces of King Charles I laid siege to the town.

Georgian Leicester

(1700 – 1837) The knitting industry had really stared to take hold and Leicester was fast becoming the main centre of hosiery manufacture in Britain. This new prosperity was reflected throughout the town with broader, paved streets lined with elegant brick buildings and genteel residences.

Victorian Leicester

(1837 – 1901) The industrial revolution had a huge effect on Leicester resulting in the population growing from 40,000 to 212,000 during this period. Many of Leicester's most iconic buildings were erected during this time as wealthy Victorians made their mark on the town.

Edwardian Leicester

(1901 – 1910) Electric trams came to the streets of Leicester and increased literacy among the citizens led to many becoming politicised. The famous 1905 ‘March of the Unemployed to London’ left from Leicester market when 30,000 people came to witness the historic event.

Early 20th Century Leicester

(1910 – 1973) The diverse industrial base meant Leicester was able to cope with the economic challenges of the 1920s and 1930s. New light engineering businesses, such as typewriter and scientific instrument making, complemented the more traditional industries of hosiery and footwear manufacturing.

Modern Leicester

(1973 – present day) Industry was still thriving in the city during the 1970s, with the work opportunities attracting many immigrants from all over the world. While industry has declined in recent years, excellent transport links have made Leicester an attractive centre for many businesses. The City now has much to be proud of including its sporting achievements and the richness of its cultural heritage and diversity.

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A Place to Live

New Walk

New Walk is a rare example of a Georgian pedestrian promenade. Laid out by the Corporation of Leicester in 1785
Welford Road Cemetery

The Cemetery is a Grade II listed ‘Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest’open to the public
Wygston’s House

Wygston’s House is the oldest house in Leicester. It has been here since medieval times and the road it stood on was the widest and busiest thoroughfare in the town, High Street.
Living Like a Roman

Leicester’s Roman inhabitants lived in a wide variety of houses, ranging from rows of small, simple rectangular buildings built along street fronts (with domestic rooms located behind shops or workshops) to larger, elaborate townhouses built around colonnaded courtyards.
17 Friar Lane

17 Friar Lane stands on was once part of the Friary of the Franciscans or Grey Friars.
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