Doodlebug anniversary

Through his work, Mr C attends quite a few ward meetings throughout the borough and during one he attended they discussed having a 75th anniversary of when a doodlebug fell in Balham, flattening a few houses but miraculously only one person died, a 10month old little boy.

Anyway, the road in question happened to be where Mr Cs great uncle B lived when this happened. When we popped down to see them earlier in the year he spoke to us about his memories of that night. Mr C fed this back to the organiser who in turn invited Mr C to talk at the event on behalf of his GU. Mr Cs uncle and aunt also joined us for the event. You can see them sitting next to the mayor (who also knows Mr C). Two of the organisers dressed up in army uniforms and a young lady also dressed up in 40s style. There were other speakers, an elderly gentleman who at 14 years of age helped with the fire brigade and got quite emotional when he recalled meeting King George and Princess Margaret, a lady who was baptised by her uncle soon after her birth and was given the middle name of doodlebug and other speakers too. We were entertained by 2 singers singing 40s songs. The mayor unveiled a plaque next to a hornbeam tree that was planted in the 60s where the doodlebug had landed.

Hitting 33c this afternoon it has been sweltering but nevertheless an enjoyable and poignant afternoon.