It was during a night time raid that four civilians died in their homes in Cranworth Gardens, by this time the Blitz had been raging for almost three months…
A summary of the incident
Time that the bombs hit 22:55
Type of bomb/s High Explosive
Was anyone hurt or killed? Four people were killed, others were injured
Where did the bombs land? On the back part of block 12 - now numbered 115 to 120
Were houses damaged? Yes
Were businesses damaged? No
Were there evacuations? Yes
In memory of those that were killed in this incident
Using the invaluable Commonwealth War Graves Commission website I have been able to find the following casualties from this incident
Name Age Other Information
Margaret Jane Smith 88 of 5/12 Cranworth Gardens. Widow of Robert Smith. Died at 5/12 Cranworth Gardens
Ada Slingsby 59 of 5/12 Cranworth Gardens. Widow of Frank Slingsby. Died at 5/12 Cranworth Gardens
John James Underwood 53 of Flat 3, 12 Cranworth Gardens. Husband of Elizabeth Underwood. Died at 12 Cranworth Gardens.
Elizabeth Underwood 55 of Flat 3, 12 Cranworth Gardens. Wife of John James Underwood. Died at 12 Cranworth Gardens
Something worth noting
Cranworth Gardens was renumbered after the war in 1948. Previously each block of flats was numbered 1, 2, 3 and so on with the individual flats inside numbered from 1 to 6. You will notice that in the civil defence messages below block 12 received the brunt of the bomb, for modern readers see below for a conversion guide which tells you ‘old to new’
| Block 12 in 1940 = 115 to 120 modern day |
| Flat 1, block 12 in 1940 = 115 modern day |
| Flat 2, block 12 in 1940 = 116 modern day |
| Flat 3, block 12 in 1940 = 117 modern day |
| Flat 4, block 12 in 1940 = 118 modern day |
| Flat 5, block 12 in 1940 = 119 modern day |
| Flat 6, block 12 in 1940 = 120 modern day |
| Block 3 in 1940 = 7 to 12 modern day |
| Block 10 in 1940 = 121 to 126 modern day |
| Flat 4, block 10 in 1940 = 124 modern day |
| Flat 6, block 10 in 1940 = 126 modern day |
| Flat 1, block 14 in 1940 = 109 modern day |
The civil defence incident log reads:
Date 27.11.40
Time 23:25
Position of Occurance 12 Cranworth Gardens
Type of bombs High Explosive
Casualties (Approx) 3
Whether any trapped under wreckage Yes
Fire None
Damage to Mains None
Names of any roads blocked None
Position of any unexploded bombs None
Time of occurance 22:55
Notes R.S.D informed personally. S.P.T Ambulance required urgently
The civil defence messages sent back and forth to the local ARP (Air raid precaution) depot read as follows:
Date Time Text of Message
27.11.40 23:09 Express Report Casualties at Cranworth Gardens
28.11.40 00:15 Block 12 Cranworth Gardens. High Explosive. 22:55. S.P asking for another party.
Believed four dead.
28.11.40 00:24 Supplementary Report Further to previous report at 00:15
Dr Kalna on his way.
There are four people trapped, believed dead.
28.11.40 01:13 Block 12 Cranworth Gardens. High Explosive. 22:55.
SP require shrouds as bodies are in subway which is used as shelter.
Could have CDP this morning, please reply.
28.11.40 03:05 Informed unexploded bomb at rear of block 3 Cranworth Gardens - investigated and ascertained it was an exploded incendiary bomb which had failed to ignite, very slight damage.
28.11.40 13:10 Flat 4, Block 10 uninhabitable, occupants living at (Newlands) Higham Lane, Tonbridge.
Flat 6, Block 10 Mrs Spoggiati.
This flat has kitchen and dining room blasted.
Furniture ruined but can live in other part of flat.
People living in other flats not contacted yet otherwise incident closed.
28.11.40 13:10 Supplementary Report - Final. Cranworth Gardens block 12. High Explosive.
Direct hit on rear of block 12, demolishing flats 3,4,5,6 also blast damaged rear wall of Flat 6 -Block 10, also Flat 1 -Block 14.
Casualties - 4 dead. Mrs Slingsby, Mrs Smith of Flat 6 - Block 12, Mr & Mrs Underwood of Flat 3 - Block 12, also seriously injured Mrs Boissieux.
28.11.40 13:10 RSD cleared debris.
C.D.P removed bodies to Maxwell mortuary - death certified by Dr Kalna, 176 Clapham Road.
Calm throughout.
The whole of flat 1 to 6 in block 12 are uninhabitable.
Mrs Boissieux and son homeless but living with friends in 1/16 Cranworth Garden.
Mary Slingsby, George Trowell, Norman Trowell, Connie Cullen, Betty Browne all flat 5 block 12 homeless, sent to L.C.C school, Stockwell Road.
7.1.41 14:05 Mrs Constance Cullen of 31 Carroun Road has been sent to Central Equipment Stores for new respirator(?) as she lost all her possesions when her home was demolished at 5/12 Cranworth Gardens through enemy action.
Back to Bombing incidents within our area from 1940