Events in
Local History

Hallsville Road
School

1940

The Blitz..

During World War Two, West Ham took a lot of punishment from air-raids due to its nearby industrial and dockland areas.

In September 1940, after raids had left many local families without shelter after losing their homes to Luftwaffe bombs, a large group of several hundred people were gathered at Hallsville Road school to await transport away from the area to safety and to other accommodation

By some misunderstanding the arranged transport failed to arrive and the group settled down in the school to spend another night, until transport arrived, it had been promised for the following day.

However, the school received a direct hit that night and many were killed, despite rumours of 'hundreds' the council's official figure was to be 73 dead.

This school was originally South Hallsville Schools (1878), part of which had been largely rebuilt in 1932, not to be confused with the earlier 'Hallsville School' demolished in the 1930s. South Hallsville Schools were all war damaged and the whole area was re-developed after W.W.II.

Though not now provable, the actual number killed was thought by locals to be much higher as the search for victims in the debris of the school was ended after 3 days, and the site flattened and treated with lime 'on government instructions'.

© Lal Cook.

Top of Page.

History Menu.

LalAmy Home Page.