Bath Under Fire
The inspiration that made me decide to write a
series set in Bath during WWII came from a friend who asked if I knew much
about the Baedeker raids that happened over three days in the city during April
1942. I knew nothing! I’d never even heard about them, but my need to learn more
was instantaneous and the start of my research for my new series, The Home
Front Nurses began. However, it isn’t until book 2, Dangerous Days for
the Home Front Nurses that the majority of my research comes alive…
I read books and immersed
myself in everything I could learn online, I also went to my local archive
centre and found lots of amazing facts and stories from letters and diaries of
people who lived through the raids. However, one of the most useful aspects of
my research occurred during this year’s annual Bath Festival when I signed up
for the Bath Blitz Walking Tour. I was so looking forward to it as I had very
little to no idea of which areas of the city had been affected by the bombing
(my mum went on to tell me my nan’s house was flattened on the second night of
the raids!).
The tour guide – whose
name I forgot to note down, much to my shame – proved himself a fountain of
knowledge and enthusiasm who walked with us for two hours and talking about
many different spots in Bath. I saw bomb damage I’d never noticed before,
evidence of demolition and rebuilding and sadly learned the names of entire
families who were killed outright when their homes suffered direct hits. The
guide also told us stories of the industrial area situated along part of the
River Avon that runs through Bath which was a slum area at the time. A bomb hit
the gasworks here, but never exploded – if it had, it would have been
catastrophic.
An unexploded bomb also
landed in the grassed area in the centre of The Circus, a beautiful circle of
Georgian residential houses. The bomb was later disturbed by the clearing work
of firemen and volunteers and killed at least one person, injuring many others.
It would have been a lot worse if the bomb had exploded when it was dropped.
Other buildings close to The Circus were also affected. An upper-class hotel at
the time, The Regina, took a direct hit, killing all the people taking shelter in
the basement except for two, the force of the blast setting fire to the
Assembly Rooms across the road which was nearly completely gutted. The Assembly
Rooms were Bath’s premier venue for balls and soirees and was visited by famous
writers such Charles Dickens and Jane Austen during their time staying (and
writing) in Bath.
If you are interested
in learning more about the Bath Blitz, I cannot recommend the walking tour
enough – here is a link to the website detailing the next available walks (and
other things that might interest you): https://www.bathguides.org.uk/summer-walks-calendar2024/
A memorial listing all
those who were lost stands at the main entrance way to Victoria Park which can
be found in the centre of the city off of Gay Street and near Queen Square…
Rachel x
Freda knows the work she does
on the home front is vital. Especially when bombs begin raining down on her
beloved city of Bath and she and her friends find themselves feeling the
effects of war like never before.
Years of being told to be a
‘good girl’ by her mother, Freda has always done what’s been expected of her.
But, even though she’s proud of her work nursing soldiers and victims of war,
she can’t help but wonder if there’s more for her in life. And her secret
desire to become a journalist feels increasingly like a calling she can’t
resist.
Even though it’s not
considered work suitable for women, Freda knows she has to follow her dream.
Even if it means leaving her nursing, friendships and maybe even true love
behind. But then tragedy strikes close to home, and she has to ask herself
– can she ever find a way to make her dreams come true?
A
completely gripping, heartwarming story of friendship, love and following your
dreams. Dangerous Days for The Home Front Nurses is perfect
for fans of Lizzie Lane, Rosie Clarke, and Call the Midwife.
LINK:
https://mybook.to/DangerousDays
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