Final air raid on Canterbury shatters peace

No enemy bombs were dropped on the city during the entire duration of 1943, leaving citizens thinking that, for them, such terrors of the Second World War were finally over. However, the peace was shattered during the small hours of January 22, 1944, when a lone Luftwaffe plane scattered incendiary bombs across the suburb of St Dunstan’s. Just on the other side of the Westgate Towers, Barrett’s premises also became a casualty, as described in a previous recent article. The first casualty that night was the barn on Burton’s Farm, also known as Westgate Farm. This was situated just off London Road.

The first picture shows the aftermath, with firemen damping down what was left of the structure. The next bomb actually hit St Dunstan’s Church itself. However, a local fire watchman flagged down a passing fire engine and the church was saved. Ironically, it was on its way to the Bar- rett’s blaze at the time. Next in line was Swoffer’s fruit merchant warehouse, in St Dunstan’s Street and opposite the Roper Gate. This is the subject of the second photo. Note that the warehouse has been entirely gutted and an adjacent cottage destroyed. Fortunately, swift action by members of the National Fire service prevented the next-door tobacconist from also becoming a casualty. The warehouse was rebuilt, in art-deco style, in around 1947. The building was pulled down for a housing development 40 years later. Happily, this little shop still trades today.

The barn in London Road, Canterbury, ablaze

What was left of Swoffer’s warehouse