Details:
In December 1914 the first German Zeppelin appeared over the English coast and in Feburary 1915 the first bombs were dropped from Zeppelins at Yarmouth. By April 1915 the use of airships by the Germans increased. Zeppelins began attacking London. They were also used for naval reconnaissance, to attack London and smaller balloons were used for reconnaissance along the Western Front. They were only stopped when the introduction of aeroplanes shot them down.
In November 1916 the first German air raid on London took place. The Germans hoped that by making raids on London and the South East, the British Air Force would be forced into protecting the home front rather than attacking the German air force.
On the night of 19/20 October 1917 a 300lb bomb from Zeppelin L45 fell at Glenview Road, Hither Green [now Nightingale Grove]. It destroyed 3 houses and damaged many others. Killed in this incident were 5 women and 9 children, also 2 men, 3 women and 2 children were injured. This was the last bomb dropped on London by a Zeppelin.
The following people were killed :
| Dorey | Emma | 72 | who died from shock |
| Grant | Frances Sarah | 32 | a widow |
| Jenner | Edith L | 8 | |
| Kingston | Annie A | 18 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Bridget Mary | 16 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Mary Elizabeth | 11 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Kathleen Violet | 10 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Richard | 8 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Thomas John | 6 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Kingston | Edith Elizabeth | 3 | One of 7 siblings killed |
| Milgate | Elsie Margery | 13 | One of 3 siblings killed, father also killed |
| Milgate | Leonard Alfred | 8 | One of 3 siblings killed, father also killed |
| Milgate | Samuel Lilly | 53 | father of 3 children who also died. He died of injuries 5 days later in Hospital in Greenwich |
| Milgate | Edith Mabel | 18/19 | One of 3 siblings killed, father also killed |
| Turner | William James | 13 | Nephew of the Kingstons and visiting them at the time of the raid |
The funeral took place at Ladywell Cemetery 25 October 1917 where the Milgate and Turner victims had a catholic service before being buried in 2 graves in ‘Heroes Corner’ at Ladywell Cemetery. Further information including newscuttings on the Kingston family are held within the Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre Ephemera Collection. Please contact the Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham for access to this collection.
Further information on this air raid, including newscuttings are held within the Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre Ephemera Collection. Please contact the Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham for access to this collection.
Memorial:
Lewisham WWI Civilian War Memorial in Ladywell cemetery.
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by Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence