Newly unearthed documents reveal how towns rallied round for blitz-hit Hackney
New documents have been unearthed that show how the residents of Shropshire's market towns rallied round during the war to support a bombed-out London borough.
Like many areas of the East End of London, Hackney was targeted by The German Luftwaffe during the blitz.
Many Hackney residents were killed, injured or bombed out of their homes in the air raids. Others had to move in with relatives or into temporary shared accommodation. Food shortages led to rationing and queues.
Now newly unearthed documents and archive images show how residents of towns such as Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury rallied round to help the people of Hackney following the Blitz.
Whilst researching his book, World War II in Bridgnorth, Shropshire historian Clive Gwilt found 12 documents in Hackney's archives that tell how on January 17, 1945, The Local Shropshire Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) adopted the London Borough to help it recover from the blitz.
After appeals to residents in Shropshire towns, goods ranging from clothing to household basics such as cutlery were donated by the people of the county.
Clive Gwilt said: "The goods were handed out using a points system a double bed was 50 points whilst a knife and fork were 3 points each.
"Each household was assessed by the re-housing officer and a voucher of how many points they were awarded. 50 points were given for a demolished house or 30 points for a temporary unfit house."
He said 22 photos of bombed out Hackney were sent to Shropshire WVS that were displayed in towns such as Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth to show the obliteration and to encourage local residents to donate more goods.
"Bridgnorth played a major role in the 'Good Neighbours' scheme," said Clive. "Over 3,000 articles for household use had been given by residents and they were dispatched in three four-ton loads on transport loaned by Perry & Phillips, Bridgnorth Corporation and others.
"Mr S Greatwich gave 2s 6d discount on all goods purchased from his shop for the appeal. The use of premises by Messrs Fisher and J T Foxall were used to store the received goods. Packing volunteers included Messrs S Greatwich, A Thorne, T B Lamb, R S Foxall, H E Whitney, W E Rogers and W Tomkins.
"It was a fact that no other Rotary Club in the county had donated £50 guineas as Bridgnorth Rotary Club had. Another notable monetary gift was £30 from the Pale Meadow Works in Hospital Street. There was also a contribution of 10s from an old blitz-blinded lady aged 87 staying at Oldbury Grange," added Clive.
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