80th anniversary of Dames Road disaster

Location of the Doodlebug hit on 27 July 1944

27th July 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the Dames Road disaster - the deadliest air raid hit on Forest Gate during World War 11.

We have covered the Doodlebug bombing of the road - close to the Holly Tree - on this site before, notably here, when we were able to publish all the names of the victims of the disaster for the first time, and  here, where we published a detailed first-hand account of the day's events from the standpoint of a 15-year-old victim family member.

This article combines different perspectives from previous postings to provide a comprehensive account of the event to mark this significant local anniversary.

Cyril Demarne, who would later become West Ham's chief fire officer, was called to assist with the aftermath of the bombing. In his 1980 memoirs, he described the event as " the most horrific thing I have ever witnessed."

Contemporary press reports were significantly affected by wartime censorship imposed on newspapers, which was done to avoid adversely impacting civilian morale and to confuse enemy understanding of the outcome and locations of their V1 attacks.

The Stratford Express account of 4 August (see below) did not identify the exact location of the hit, stating that a "passing vehicle" was wrecked and that there were a number of fatalities, but only mentioned four people. None of this was false, but it certainly wasn't comprehensive.

First press report - Stratford Express - 4 August - vague

Other local newspapers took a further six weeks to publish fuller but conflicting accounts.

The Leytonstone Independent of 15 September reported that 34 people were killed and that the "passing vehicle" was, in fact, a trolley bus.

More accurate newspaper account - seven weeks after the raid, Leytonstone Guardian

The Walthamstow Guardian of the same date devoted a mere 24 words to the worst local bombing of the war when it reported: "At Dames Road, when a bomb fell within a few yards of a trolley bus, 41 people were killed and 24 taken to hospital."

After the conclusion of the war, each borough produced a list of the civilians who had died during the conflict, which was compiled by the Commonwealth Graves Commission. By scrolling through the lists produced by both West Ham and Leytonstone councils (the bomb fell on the borough boundary), we have been able to identify 34 dead - the same number as the Leytonstone Independent had reported - and listed their names, ages, and addresses. 

No similar lists were compiled for casualties, so we have no accurate assessment of how many may have been injured in the attack.

West Ham's book of civilian war deaths

It would appear that the family that was most affected by the disaster was the Blackmans of 323 Billet Road, Walthamstow. Three members were killed: Gladys (aged 34), the wife of Leading Aircraftsman William Blackman, and Jean, aged 10, and Wendy, aged 4, their children.

In October 2020, Sue, the granddaughter of William and Gladys Blackman, contacted us. She said that her grandparents also had two sons, Donald, who survived the attack, and William Jr. (Bill), who was 15 at the time and at work, therefore not in the vicinity of the Doodlebug hit.

Sue sent us an extract from her father, Bill's memoirs (he was 91 at the time) - What a lucky sod I am - which provides a detailed account of the day from his perspective. It can be accessed here.

Bill Blackman aged 15 - around the time of the death of his mother and sisters

Gladys, apparently, was in the habit of taking her children to see their grandmother in Manor Park every Friday afternoon. On the afternoon of 27 July, they were on a trolley bus going home via Forest Gate when the VI missile hit the vehicle on Dames Road.

When he heard the explosion, Bill was working at Wrighton's, a furniture manufacturer near the Crooked Billet roundabout. The firm was beginning to close down for the day, and Bill saw a "huge black mushroom of smoke and debris rising in the sky." Although he was used to the sounds of bombs exploding, he felt particularly uneasy about this blast.

V1 missile, of the knid that hit Dames Road

It was his normal practice to go home on a Friday afternoon and lay the table in preparation for his mum and siblings' return from their family visit.

He did this, as normal, on 27 July but became increasingly uneasy as time went on, and they did not return. After a while, a policeman knocked on the door and asked to speak to one of his parents. Bill explained they were not in the house, so the police left and went to a neighbour. After a while, the neighbour and police officer returned and told Bill that his brother had been injured in a bomb blast and taken to St Mary's hospital in Hackney.

Bill told them that Donald was with his mother and sisters that afternoon. The policeman and neighbour said they would go to the police station to get more details.

15-year-old Bil was left alone in the house for hours until the neighbour returned, ashen-faced. He threw Bill a cigarette and told him to light it to calm down. The neighbour then began to explain the fate of Bill's mother and sisters. "I can remember my brain seemed to shut down momentarily ... I seemed to be in this strange trance-like state for some time before suddenly everything came to life, and I realised what had just happened to me."

Gladys Blackman - Bill's mother, and victim

The neighbours offered Bill a meal and a bed for the night, but he refused both, preferring to sleep in his own bed, alone in the house. They did, however, look after him until his father returned from active service abroad, for which he has always been grateful.

Bill took a month off work, and it was several weeks before his father reached home. Bill describes himself as feeling “comfortably numb” through this time. He spent some of it, accompanied by different adults, travelling the country to explain to relatives the circumstances of the deaths. One of those visits was to his nan, who was in the pub when he called.

Jean Blackman - Bill's sister, and victim

One of Bill’s most painful experiences was having to identify the bodies of his mother and two sisters in the mortuary. He was shown his mother’s face, which only had a few scratches on it, but only some of the clothes of his two sisters.

Bill says he also visited his brother Donald in the hospital, “the only survivor from the bus of 70 passengers.”

Following the funerals of his mother and sisters, Bill described his life as “for probably several weeks just surviving on auto-pilot”. When he eventually returned to work, he was put on “light duties”, working alone in an office essentially as a gatekeeper/receptionist.

When his dad finally arrived home, Bill discovered that he had been misinformed and told that the whole family and their house had been destroyed by a bomb blast. 

This partially explains why it took him so long to return – he thought he was coming home to emptiness. An additional complicating factor, explaining the length of his homecoming, was that he was expected to make his own way and travel arrangements, unaided, in returning from the Egyptian desert.

The War Office made some amends by posting Bill snr locally so that he could return home each evening. Donald was in the hospital for 18 months, recovering from a serious injury before being sent to Switzerland for convalescence. 

91-year old Bill, in 2020

Production at Wrighton’s changed from furniture manufacture to aircraft production until the end of the war. Bill, meanwhile, survived into his 90s, writing a very moving memoir of the dreadful times he experienced after the Dames Road bomb.

The Forest Gate drinkers’ guide

It is almost a decade since we last featured a Forest Gate drinkers’ guide (see here for 2015 round-up and here and here for the previous ones). Unsurprisingly there have been many changes and some closures, but overall there now is a more varied range of watering holes for the thirsty.

There have been two significant closures. The Live and Let Live on Romford Road, has closed as a pub, but seems to be some kind of accommodation address now, and round the corner to it, the Wetherspoons Hudson Bay has gone. This is surprising, as it always appeared to be busy thoughout the extensive opening hours, with both drinkers and diners.  It went last year and is to be replaced, on site, by an Islamic social centre.

Almost all of the pubs we have previously featured have undergone significant changes in ownership in bids to keep up with changing trends and demands. There is now a pretty significant division between those venues patronised by the older, perhaps more traditional, local population and the younger set of incomers, in addition to a couple of essentially exclusively Asian bars.  The range of options currently available offers something for almost all drinking tastes and type of venue.

The local drinkers’ venues have been expanded by the arrival of local micro brewery’s Pretty Decent Beer Company, which joins the Wanstead Tap in offering a different kind of drinking within a railway arch, off the beaten track. The railway arches have had a mixed history over recent years: Tracks, off Avenue Road, arrived and disappeared, as has Burgess and Hall, next to the Tap - although some drinking presence survives. The Ciderhouse opened next to Tracks. It seems to have very limited opening hours and would appear to be mainly a venue for hire

This time we have included Giovanna’s on Woodgrange Road, although it is more a restaurant/wine bar than pub, it does have a beer garden, so on that basis, meets a criterion for inclusion!

We are also looking at a couple of private clubs for the first time: the Century Bar and St Antony’s and have added the Rising Sun to the review list, which seemed to have dropped off our radar in previous round-ups. Having visited a number of times recently, its easy to explain the oversight.

In a rough price comparison guide, we have replaced the former Stellaometer with a Guinness Guzzler’s Guide (being the most universally available beer in the UK) at the end of this review, although a couple of the venues don’t sell the black stuff.

At the end of each review we give the latest Food Standards Agency food hygeine ratings.

Enjoy the read, and cheers!

Century Bar and Restaurant

Address: 454 Romford Road.

Web address: www.century.london

Background: Fondly known as a Desi pub (one owned or managed by a landlord of Indian origin), the Century was established by Kenyan Asian, Peter Patel, in 1988. He established it to provide a safe haven for Asian drinkers in an area where they often felt unsafe, from racist abuse in local pubs (see here for an explanation).  When he first opened the bar Peter was threatend by another, wholly unexpected, menace: Asian thugs seeking protection money. The close proximity to Forest Gate police station helped see off that challenge. Peter stayed for 30 years before retiring. Although branded as a club, membership is not required to eat or drink there.

Opening hours: Mon: closed. Tues-Thurs: 5pm – 11pm. Fri: 5pm – 1 am. Sat: 3pm – 1 am. Sun: 3pm – 11 pm.

They say: Describes itself as and Indian restaurant and and cocktail bar. “A space for relaxed social dining … draws its inspiration from the vibrancy of the culture, art and music, including an innovative spiritual modern India”.

We say: It's more of an Indian restaurant than drinking den, but there is a bar at the entrance with half a dozen beers on tap that welcomes casual drinkers, without question. Friendly staff. The restaurant has an extensive menu 50:50 vegetarian and non vegetarian, although no vegan options. The decor and furnishings are smart although unremarkable. There are a couple of large screen TVs showing, not surprisngly Asian stations.

FSA says: 5 stars.

Forest Tavern

 

Address: 173 Forest Lane.

Web address: www. foresttavern.co.uk

Background: Called the Railway Tavern until 2013, for obvious reasons, it was then taken over and revamped by Antic pub chain, as the Forest Tavern. They held it for a decade, after which it was taken over again by gastropub chain Portobello, and revamped again. The refurb has opened up its rather splendid facia board (see photo). The pub was originally opened by Holt and Co of East Ham, who were taken over by Cannon Brewery of Clerkenwell in 1922, who erected the facia in 1925. Cannon, themselves were taken over by Taylor Walker in 1930, and later by Allied Breweries, until their sale to Antic.

Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 11am – 11pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 12pm. Sun 11 am – 10.30pm.

They say: “We’re conveniently situated right by Forest Gate station and just a 5 minute stroll from Wanstead Park” (they probably mean Flats, unless they “stoll” at 12mph!).

We say: It has a weekly quiz night on a Tuesday and monthly supper club (£50 a head). The pub regularly features live jazz, hosts a monthly Forest Gayte Pride night and frequently sponsors charities, such as the Magpie Project. There is a large “back room”, which doubles up as its restaurant and an outside paved area/garden that can probably accommodated 50 people. It has an extensive – vegan friendly – menu, which is on the pricey side, with a great Sunday Roast offer. It has range of interesting drinks (including some Pretty Decent Beer Co options – see below). It offers £4 pints between noon and 7pm Mondays – Fridays. It has no TV, or other distracting entertainment. It is a busy pub, catering mainly for the younger, middle class “Nouveaux Gater” set.

FSA says: Awaiting inspection, since the Portobello takeover.

Forest Gate Hotel

Address: 105 Godwin Rd.

Web address: www.theforestgatehotel.co.uk

Background: A traditional east-end boozer that has fallen on hard times. It had serious drug-dealing issues over a decade ago, which seem to have been overcome, but the anti-dealing messages in the pub remain a reminder of those times. We gave it a poor review a decade ago, and things seem to have got worse since; so, both the comedy and music clubs they ran then, along with the bar food, have dropped off their offerings.

Opening hours: Who knows? No indication on website, or inside or outside the pub, other than a vague statement "open all day".

They say: “Pub in the backstreets of Forest Gate, with a relaxed atmosphere. Spacious single bar, with some nice features like three columns (??!!), bar-back and counter. Sports TV, pool, darts, rear patio, a function room.”

We say:  Two large screens for live sport, often MTV music. Pool, darts, a one-armed bandit, pub quiz nights on Wednesdays, Karaoke on Thursdays and a DJ on Fridays. It is incredible how this place remains open. There are very few customers and the décor is poor and beer the choice absolutely minimal and fizzy.  The substantial hall at the back that is rarely used.  It seems to operate mainly as a cheap hotel, with the rack rate being £66 per night for a double room with bed and breakfast. The Trip Advisor reviews are horrific; the 46 of them average a 2/5 (poor) score, with some grim stories to accompany the ratings.

FSA says: 3 stars, up from 2 in 2014 and 1 in 2015.

Fox and Hounds

 

Address: 178 Forest Lane.

Web address: Craft Union Pub Co

Background: The pub has changed hands and landlords a few times over recent years, and was even shut for a few months a decade or so ago, but it has bounced back to become a very busy boozer.

Opening hours: Advertised as: Sun – Thurs: 11am – 11pm. Fri -Sat: 11am – 12 pm. But seems to have started opening at 10 a.m.

They say: "The Fox and Hounds is a great example of a 1930's East London public house, equipped with unique features like fire places and a through around bar. It is about as typical as a boozer gets with a pool table, fruit machines and jukebox."

We say: Difficult to get a greater contrast of pub than with the Forest Gate Tavern, just 4 doors along (for confirmation, see Guinness prices at the end)! Their self-description (above), like the pub itself, could not be less pretentious. Following the closure of the Hudson Bay, last year, it’s the cheapest and busiest pub in the area, by some distance. It is always lively with an older, long-established, very multi-cultural and harmonious customer base. The bar staff are always pleasant and welcoming.  It has a juke box, half a dozen sports TVs, and a pool table; it is a hive of activity. The food offering is pretty much restricted to crisps and peanuts, but it’s a pub and has no pretentions of being a restaurant. There’s an outside, paved area, with some shelter, that can accommodate upto 30 people  – a haven for smokers, but hardly an oasis.

FSA says: 5 stars.

Giovanna’s

 

Address: 58 Woodgrange Road.

Web address: www.giovannas.co.uk

Background: Opened 4 years ago, it is a family run business, inspired by the owners’ parents and grandparents who emigrated to Newham in the 1950s, opening the Windsor Restaurant, also on Woodgrange Road, followed by Marco’s Café on the Victoria Dock Road.

Opening hours: Mons: closed. Tues – Thurs: 11.30 am – 10.30pm, Fri – Sat: 10 am – 11pm. Sun 11 – 5pm.

They say: “We are an independent Italian deli, wine shop and bar focussing on selling quality Mediterranean produce to the Forest Gate Community.“

We say: A delightful addition to the local drinking and eating scene on Woodgrange Road. It is a “living wage employer” with charming and friendly staff, headed by owners Alex and Vic. There is a lovely Italian deli counter and short, but tasty, menu of fresh food. Small, but interesting range of mainly Italian food from the café/bar/restaurant/shop. They have three beers on tap and many of their food products are from small, independent, ethically-sourced producers. Outside dining with tables and chairs on Woodgrange Road and space for around 30 in pleasant back beer garden area. There is a large, comfortable downstairs dining room, with seating for 20, available for hire.

FSA says: 4 stars.

Golden Fleece (honorary mention, as a popular venue for many Forest Gaters)

 

Address: 166 Capel Rd.

Web address: www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/golden-fleece

Background: A mainstay and focal point for the local, and Manor Park, communities. It has changed hands a number of times during its history. A decade ago we said: ”It is now owned by John Barras pubs, an old north-east England brewery which rebranded itself in 2010 as a pub chain, along Chef and Brewer lines.” It has subsequently been taken over by East Anglain brewers, Greene King.

Opening hours: Sun – Thurs: 11.30 am – 11pm. Fri-Sat: 11.30 am – midnight.

They say: “A great local pub, in the heart of the community, with friendly service and honest pricing.”

We say: The pub, offers a wide range of guest beers and a 10% discount for CAMRA members on selected pints. A substantial menu, with reasonable prices; though the quality of the food varies greatly, depending on the duty chef. It is a popular pub facing Wanstead Flats with sizeable beer garden with children’s play area. There is plenty of scope for spilling over into the Flats on hot summer days. The pub offers TNT and Sky Sports (mainly football and rugby) on 5 large screens and can be packed when West Ham, Spurs or international rugby feature. Frequent live music and karaoke events – see website for details. Does a busy post-funeral trade, being the nearest pub to both the City of London and Manor Park cemeteries. 260 TripAdvisor Reviews, average 4/5 stars.

FSA says: 5 stars.

 Holly Tree

Address: 141 Dames Road.

Web address: thehollytreepub.co.uk

Background: Had always been a reasonably popular pub, with a history dating back to 1870, with more potential than customers. It looked as if it may have suffered the fate of many under-used street corner pubs and become replaced by a block of flats. But it underwent a major refurbishment after it was taken over by Remarkable Pubs in 2019. Remarkable was founded in 1985 and has subsequently acquired over 15 Georgian and Victorian pubs in London (including the Boleyn Tavern on Barking Road) and restored them to their former glories. The Leyton Engineer is to follow soon. It has to be said they have done a magnificent job in all those in the chain that we have visited.

Opening hours: Mon – Weds: 5pm – 11pm. Thurs – Sat: noon – 11pm, Sun: noon – 9pm.

They say: “Following an extensive refurbishment in 2019, a new kitchen has been installed serving delicious food daily, including superb Sunday roasts. The huge garden has been landscaped and the large pub interior refurbished with a classic look and feel including the much desired cosy snug with real fire.”

We say: It is in a great location, on the edge of Wanstead Flats, with a children’s playground opposite. Children are welcome in the pub and at times can delight in a fully functioning minature railway (£1 a ride, for two circuits). Half of the pub is “child-free”, and dogs are permitted in certain areas; so all preferences are catered for. There are lots of options for outside dining and drinking and a substantial conservatory and glass annexe which are particularly suitable for visitors with children. It has become a very popular pub, particulary on Sunday lunchtimes, when young families can enjoy a drink and meal, with plenty of distractions for the youngsters.

FSA says 5 stars.

Pretty Decent Beer Co

 

Address: Arch 340, Sheridan Rd.

Web address: www. prettydecentbeer.co

Background. Started off as a brewhouse in Forest Gate about six years ago, which soon grew and opened up a tap room a few arches away, just before the onset of COVID, at current address. The brewhouse became so successful that in December 2022 they needed to double its capacity, but they could no longer be easily accommodated in Forest Gate. They moved to the Blackhorse Beer Mile, in Walthamstow, leaving the tap room behind in Sheridan Road.

Opening hours: Weds: 2pm-10pm. Thurs – Fri: 4pm-11pm. Sat: noon-11pm. Sun: noon -8pm.

They say: “Every beer sold includes a donation to causes driving change for the good ... Our  taproom is an inclusive neighbourhood spot where everyone feels welcome to sit down, relax and enjoy themselves. We brew a diverse range of modern, seasonal beers so there is always something new on the taps to try. We have 12 beers on tap, a full wine list and spirits from local legends Victory Gin. We also have gluten free and no alcohol beer - so something for everyone!”

We say: Offers a monthly subscription service, that delivers to your door. There is a small bar showcasing a dozen or so of the varied and interesting range of beers brewed by the company – many on tap, others in cans.. It can accommodate about 40 people, inside and out. There are “Happy hours” on most days; between 5pm and 9pm Weds and Thurs and between noon and 6pm on Sats and Suns, when prices are just £4 on all “core” pints. The bar hosts a Japanese kitchen offering about a dozen options on Fri-Sun afternoons. The “good causes” they have supported have included local initiatives like Clapton FC, Newham Solidarity Fund and the Magpie Project.

This bar and brewery are a great local success story. Use them or lose them!

FSA says: 4 stars.

Rising Sun

 

Address: 528 Romford Road.

Web address: www.the-rising-sun-london.edan.io

Background: Ex Bass-Charrington pub which has clearly seen better days and is unlikely to revisit them. Has recently been on the property market and presumably would be replaced by a street corner block of flats; although thi                          s may be difficult, as the pub is locally listed by Newham Council.

Opening hours: Sun – Thurs: 1pm – midnight, Fri-Sat: 1pm – 2 a.m. (frequently closed during some of these advertised hours).

They say: Big screen, Sky Sports, Pool tables, Karaoke Fri-Sun, authentic Indian food, resident DJ.

We say: Another Desi pub! Overwhelmingly 40 years plus male Asian customers enjoying Bollywood karaoke 4 nights a week. Small public bar at front, with shabby furniture. Larger back room with four pool tables, features quite large card games. Reluctant to take credit cards at the bar, stating a £10 min.

FSA says: 4 stars.

St Antony’s Catholic Club

Address: The Red House, 13 Upton Ave.

Web address: www.theredhouse-sacc.co.uk

Background: This Grade 2 listed building has a proud history (see here), which has fallen on hard times in recent years. It was established as a Cathoilc Social club in 1907, but changing local demographics has meant that it struggles, financially, to survive today. It was bailed out a few years ago, to have its exterior and façade refurbished, in order to preserve its Grade 2 listed status, but the inside is dreary and is in desperate need of a similar revamp. The trouble is, that it’s in the wrong place! Like the Old Spotted Dog a couple of hundred yards away (see here) for its great history), it is off the beaten track, as far as decent transport links are concerned and survives within a relatively poor area with a very limited local drinking culture. Nobody can afford to do it (or the OSD) up and so it languishes. With better transport and within a more affluent and alcohol-friendly area of London, both venues would be ideal Remarkable or similar chain targets and busy thriving club/pubs. They have neither, however, and an uphill struggle against the odds seems on the cards for both establishments.

Opening hours: Tues – Fri: 7.30pm – 11pm. Sat and Sun: 11am – 11pm

They say: “A social meeting place for members of the Catholic community in Forest Gate. The club was built on key Catholic principles”.

We say: It provides a Jazz night every Wednesday, from 8.30, priced £3 to non-members. The club hosts a regular summer party and occasional games, wine and steak nights tasting nights. Unsurprisingly, it hosts a major St Patrick’s Night party. Beware of advertised opening hours. We visited on four separate occasions within the advertised hours to find it closed.

FSA says: 5 stars.

Wanstead Tap

Address: Arch 352 Winchelsea Rd.

Web address: www.thewansteadtap.com

Background: The Tap has been opened for a decade now, confounding the naysayers who predicted that it wouldn’t last five minutes tucked away in a railway arch, well off the beaten track in the Waltham Forest bit of Forest Gate. Owner and mine host, Dan Clapton, had spent some time before opening the venue selling a variety of interesting beers on market stalls and at festivals, before taking the gamble on establishing what is now a Forest Gate drinking and cultural institution.

Opening hours: Mon – Tues: closed, Weds – Thurs -open at 4pm, Fri – Sun: open from noon.

They say: “Award winning bar and venue”.

We say: Dan and the Tap have come on a remarkable journey, from selling cans of beer to establishing a venue of note. They have battled through COVID and massive rent hikes and have survived by innovation. It is now the district’s only go-to spot for cultural events – large numbers of high quality book events in conjunction with Newham Bookshop and live music is gradually returning. Big televised sporting events often get sell out sessions, sometimes accompanied by good food from local suppliers. Next up – regular live podcasts. That should be interesting!

FSA says: 4 stars.

 Guinness guzzlers’ guide

Century Bar and Restaurant: £5 (when available)

Forest Tavern: £6.20

Forest Gate Hotel: £4.20

Fox and Hounds: £3.55

Giovanna’s: No stout

Golden Fleece: £4.90

Holly Tree: £5.75

Pretty Decent Beer Co: No Guinness, but their own milk stout: £5.20, or £4.00 during “happy hours”.

Rising Sun: £5.00

St Antony’s Club: Unable to find out, because unable to access.

Wanstead Tap: £5.75 for the Pretty Decent Beer's stout (see above)