I took a walk today to Eccles Parish Church to have a look at the exhibition about Eccles in World War Two, organised by Alan Cogswell and what a fantastic job he has made of it.
The first bombs fell on Eccles on Sunday, 22nd December 1940 in what has become known at The Christmas Blitz when a house on Gilda Brook Road which was being used as an ARP station took a direct hit resulting in 16 fatalities.
Further bombing raids took place with houses on Regent Street, Davies Street, Boardman Street, Irwell Grove, Irwell Street, Calver Avenue, Victoria Road and Half Edge Lane and Hope Hospital being hit causing further fatalities, in all 44 people were killed.
Alan has located photos of the bombing locations and has lists of the fallen at the locations, he has also located the final resting place of the victims in local graveyards and has photos of them, incredible research.
There also information boards of Local families at War which shows letters from servicemen to loved ones, very poignant to read and it does bring home to you what these people endured.
The exhibition is open to the general public each morning next week from 11am until 2pm and then on each Thursday at 11am until 12pm for the next month, and Sundays from 10am until 12pm.
Please go and see the exhibition it really it is a fascinating look at what the people of Eccles had to endure during those terrible years of World War Two
