Bombing Helsay 1940

[Alan J.]

On the above subject, how many are aware of a bomb being dropped near Helsay Point? A booklet I have read recently,gives the info' on the incident. It is by someone called "Glen Aln" and is entitled "People and places of Northumberland." He describes a bus journey from Warkworth to Morpeth in 1945, starting from Dial Place, where the number 28 Newcastle bus started from and describes, in some detail, out of the village and along the road to Amble. When passing Helsay Point he says that on the night of Saturday August 6th 1940 a bomb dropped and tore away the bankside, "still visible then", a hundred yards or so from the end, a second fell on the "sward" a few yards away, the nearest a bomb fell to the seaport.

[Derilda]

Originally Posted by Alan J.

On the above subject, how many are aware of a bomb being dropped near Helsay Point? A booklet I have read recently,gives the info' on the incident. It is by someone called "Glen Aln" and is entitled "People and places of Northumberland." He describes a bus journey from Warkworth to Morpeth in 1945, starting from Dial Place, where the number 28 Newcastle bus started from and describes, in some detail, out of the village and along the road to Amble. When passing Helsay Point he says that on the night of Saturday August 6th 1940 a bomb dropped and tore away the bankside, "still visible then", a hundred yards or so from the end, a second fell on the "sward" a few yards away, the nearest a bomb fell to the seaport.

I know nothing about the bombing of Helsay Point, but I have a copy of the same book. I often look through the glossary of local dialect and advertisements at the rear. One, for Greens, always brings a smile. "On Air Ministry and War Office lists" it declares. At the bottom, "Only experienced and Fully Qualified Workmen Employed..... Telephone - 27 Amble." There have been one or two subscribers added to that telephone list since then, circa 1945.

[Coquet]

Originally Posted by Alan J.

On the above subject, how many are aware of a bomb being dropped near Helsay Point? A booklet I have read recently,gives the info' on the incident. It is by someone called "Glen Aln" and is entitled "People and places of Northumberland." He describes a bus journey from Warkworth to Morpeth in 1945, starting from Dial Place, where the number 28 Newcastle bus started from and describes, in some detail, out of the village and along the road to Amble. When passing Helsay Point he says that on the night of Saturday August 6th 1940 a bomb dropped and tore away the bankside, "still visible then", a hundred yards or so from the end, a second fell on the "sward" a few yards away, the nearest a bomb fell to the seaport.

I've had a look in the Amble fort record book for this and there is nothing of note for the 6th, but on the 10th we have this:

10 [August 1940] 0050 [hours]

One enemy plane coming from N.E. went inland & dropped 4 whistling bombs in the direction of Warkworth - about 3 miles from the Battery.


this must be the event in question?

original:

[Alan J.]

Glen Aln must have got his date wrong or the battery missed it, having said that you would think the North side RAF would have noted it on the 6th as it practically dropped on them.

[Coquet]

I think he has, the 6th Aug was a Tuesday in 1940, the 10th was a Saturday, so day right, date wrong:

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/...ry=9&year=1940

[Coquet]

[I've moved these posts to a new thread. Hopefully there will be some more info in the future]


I wonder if all the bombs detonated? Perhaps there's one 2 yards down in the mud!

[DHoward]

Hey, new here, i was just wondering whereabouts is Helsay point? Is it the patch of land opposite the Amble to Warkworth road?