To Rescue Those in Peril

Stoke Newington High Street Walk

The two pence piece lay atop the coping stone of the 3′ wall at Coronation Avenue. After a number of years I have made my way to this tragic site of the Blitz.

Once and some while ago Rosemary and I purchased tickets for a visit here only to have the train cancelled due to a rail incident. That time it was not meant to be. My return to Liverpool Street Station this day was meant to be. I am able to travel to Stoke Newington on my Oyster card. Once exited from the station I turn left and walk the High Street in anticipation.

As I move along I search for new and old brick and stone, evidence to 1940-1941…built and rebuilt. The eyes find the shots…the background history to come later…buildings and features, road names, persons until I find the corner destination…the arches of Coronation Avenue.

The architectural lettering of Coronation Avenue and the commemorative plaque indicates the tragedy here. The plaque is well above eye level. During my 30 minute visit I watch as passers by occasionally look towards my interest…my camera indicating there is something to see. No one asks questions…I have my time here.

With my return to the station the circular two pence stands out against the grey coping stone. It is copper, weathered from its time here. A lost piece of 1980 somehow becomes a 40th anniversary reckoning with what occurred here. I have had my time…and require no more this day…richer for this experience as I walk I think upon 160+ souls.

To Rescue Those In Peril

The 13 October 1940 bombing of the Coronation Avenue residential block led to three individuals being recognized with the award of the George Medal. The Air Raid Precautions’ citations summarize case reports recorded in official Civil Defence records. Easthope’s award being reviewed by a non-civil defence committee.

John Cochrane Easthope
Assistant Engineer
Stoke Newington

Mr. Easthope was on duty in the Control Room and hearing that a large number of persons were trapped in a Public Shelter, he volunteered to go to the scene of the incident. He arrived and entered the middle compartment of the shelter through a window at the rear. In spite of the danger of a further collapse of the debris and of the fact that water was then about 4 ft. deep in the shelter, Mr. Easthope worked his way over and under the debris into this compartment in an endeavour to rescue anybody who might be there, but primarily to carry out a reconnaissance to direct the squads who were working above. He found debris blocking the centre compartment up to a distance of 15 ft. from the point of entry. Several persons were were pinned under the wreckage. Mr. Easthope then came out and entered again through the emergency exit into the north compartment and crawled along the top tiers of the bunks in an effort to discover whether any persons were still in that compartment. The water was several feet high and appeared to be rising. Mr. Easthope emerged from the shelter again and reported on the conditions inside.

He then re-entered the shelter and confirmed the position of the debris.

Regardless of the danger of being crushed to death at any instant, or being trapped and drowned, Easthope made four separate visits to the shelter through the hole he had made, fully aware of the risk he was running while searching for trapped people.

Albert James Sambridge
Member, Air Raid Precautions Rescue Party
Hackney

A high explosive bomb struck a building and started fires in the upper floors and breaking water mains. An opening had to be made in the wreckage for members of the squad to enter the basement where water was three feet deep and still rising. A woman was found but could not be moved. The water had by this time risen to five feet and the men were advised to leave. Sambridge, however, continued his efforts to release the victim.

By going under the water, he managed partly to free her. He then had a rope passed down which he tied to himself and the woman. He directed the men above to pull on the rope taking the strain on his own body and by this means the woman was released. The water was by now within two feet of the ceiling but he managed to guide her to the hole through which she was hauled to safety. Owing to the complete darkness and the difficulties in dealing with the casualty, Sambridge was left swimming in the water, which rose to within six inches of the ceiling before he also was rescued on the point of collapse.

Sambridge, in effecting this gallant rescue, showed extreme devotion to duty and total disregard of personal safety.

Edward William Clark
Skilled Member, Air Raid Precautions Rescue Party
Stoke Newington

A H.E. bomb demolished a building . The gas and water mains were fractured and the wreckage caught fire.

People were trapped in the basement which was rapidly flooding . Despite the danger of further collapse of walls and debris, several men of the Rescue Party, among whom was Clark, succeeded in extricating a number of people.

Clark determined to satisfy himself that all had been saved. Again and again he dived into the water under the debris. His perseverance and disregard of danger resulted in him saving a woman who, trapped at the far end of the basement, would certainly have been drowned but for Clark’s gallant efforts.

Having completed his task, Clark collapsed from the effects of exposure and coal gas poisoning.