Embedded Files
A map showing the close proximity of the school to the damage caused by a stick of six bombs dropped on Ardwick during a raid on the night of 11th March 1941. (Thanks to Jill Cronin & Frank Rhodes)
The first bomb landed at the south-east corner of Ardwick Green and the others landed along Hyde Road, reaching several hundred yards as far as the corner of Syndall Street. The bombs were perhaps intended for London Road (later Piccadilly) station and the large goods yard at Mayfield station, but the bomber was off-target.
The first bomb exploded and left a crater at the tram junction of Brunswick Street and Hyde Road, where the roundabout now lies. At this busy intersection five sets of double tramlines converged and this may have confused the pilot.
The Ardwick Picture Theatre was destroyed by the second bomb and the Territorial Army Headquarters on Hyde Road were destroyed by the third bomb; this was home of the 7th Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, later the 252 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery.
The fourth and fifth bombs failed to explode, but the sixth bomb hit the Clarence Hotel on the corner of Hyde Road and Syndall Street.
As can be seen from the map, these bombs fell just a few hundred yards or so from the school.
The bomb crater caused by the first bomb, 1941. (Thanks to Jill Cronin & Frank Rhodes for photo)
This is the junction of Brunswick Street and Hyde Road at the south-east corner of Ardwick Green, which is visible on the right-hand side. Housing on the north side of the green is visible across the park.
Right Rev. Henry Vincent Marshall, Bishop of Salford 1939-55
The bishop was consecrated on 21st September 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War. This was a difficult time for the bishop and his diocese, with mobilisation, conscription, evacuation, war work, war-time shortages and the blitz placing grave pressures on families and parishes.
Throughout the war the bishop was a great source of support and guidance to the management of St Gregory’s.
Post-war slum clearance and the creation of overspill estates added to his burdens.
Such was the bishop’s leadership and grasp of detail that the diocese was humorously described as being under “Martial Law”.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse