To commemorate the 75th year anniversary of the 37 people killed in Sandringham Road by a German bomb during World War Two, Watford Borough Council is hosting a service of remembrance at North Watford Cemetery for those who died in the conflict.
On Sunday 30 July 1944, a V1 flying bomb killed 37 people on Sandringham Road, injured 64 others, wiped out 50 homes and caused significant damage to 500 other local houses.
After the war, local people and other Watford residents came together to rebuild the street and a communal funeral was held for the victims, with a memorial being erected on the street in August 1950.
The event takes place at 11am by the Sandringham Road Memorial on 30 July and will be attended by the Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, a standard-bearer and members of the Royal British Legion.
To honour those who lost their lives, Rev Duncan Campbell from Christ Church will lead a service, followed by a wreath laying, a minutes silence and the release of doves.
There will also be a chance to look at memorabilia such as press cuttings and photos loaned by Watford Museum, burial books and hear a talk by Oliver Phillips who has written several articles on the Sandringham Road Bomb.
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “The impact that the Second World War had on our town was enormous. 37 people died in the bombing of Sandringham Road, the biggest loss of life in any event during the Second World War in Hertfordshire.
“This service will be an important way of remembering those who lost their lives that day as well as the terrific community spirit of the town when residents came together to rebuild Sandringham Road.”
I’ve only recently discovered my father’s sister, her husband and daughter were killed in this terrible incident. She was Catherine (Kitty) Milton ( nee Edney). My father was Sidney Edney, the youngest of at least 10