Bombs fall on Spilsby AFTER the War

By Angela Gooch on December 15th, 2008

Source: Skegness News 26th March 1952

THREE Spilsby families were within a few feet of death sudden and terrifying, when about 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, two flash bombs hurtled from a passing aeroplane on to the ground below. There was a terrific noise which awoke the whole town.
Aeroplanes had been heard over the town for some time and it was conjectured that some manoeuvres were in progress.
One of the bombs fell in Post Office Lane, in the centre of the road, and caused a deep hole.

Photo: Post Office Lane Spilsby

It was the other bomb that caused the damage. It fell some fifty yards away in the small front garden of a house occupied by Mr. Herbert Ellerby, causing a deep hole. Mr. Ellerby and his wife were sleeping in the front bedroom which missed being hit by the bomb by a few feet. All the windows were blown in.
Fortunately the children were sleeping in a room at the rear of the house.

GAPING HOLE IN GARDEN
Mr. Ellerby said, “The noise was terrifying. When I switched the light on and came downstairs to investigate I could see the front windows had been blown out, and when I went outside I saw that there was a gaping hole in the front garden. It was four feet deep and my spring flowers had disappeared. !Later I discovered a twisted piece of metal casing in my front room, some three inches long. Glass was blown all over the room.”
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gunson, who lived next door, also had all their front windows blown out, and described it as a lucky escape as they were sleeping at the back. Glass splinters were blown all over their front room and bedroom.
Mr. and Mrs. Handley Taylor live on the other side of Mr. Ellerby and they had two windows blown out and the glass in the front door was blown clean out and carried to the top of the stairs. They considered they had a marvellous escape and pointed out that their range of greenhouses were undamaged.

NOISE WAS TERRIFYING
The occupants of the houses said that the noise was very terrifying and they all rushed downstairs in their night attire to see what was happening. It was pitch dark at the time which increased -the confusion. First on the scene was Mr. E. Grice, who ran down in his night attire to see if he could render any assistance. Upon sizing up the situation lie at once cycled to the Police Station.
Several of the people concerned suffered from shock and it was stated that the family pets, dogs and cats were so terrified that they appeared rooted to the spot.
It is thought that the missiles were 25-lb. flash bombs and it is pointed out that there was a light near the East Midlands Electricity Company premises nearby, at the time.

The nearest bombing range is at Wainfleet, eight miles away. Fortunately no injury was caused but the incident gave rise to much apprehension.

The Air Ministry are to make full investigation.