The city was returning to ‘normal’. The front of the Belfast Newsletter for the 24 April shows how the city was ‘getting back to work’ after the shock of the 15/16 April raid.
There were a large number of vacancies for workers, probably caused by the exodos of large numbers of people in the preceding week. The Belfast Civil Defence Authority wanted a Gas Precautions Officer. Bus drivers were wanted, applicants were to apply to the Transport Board. There were also a large number of openings for domestic staff, such as servants and cooks.
A number of charitable organisations advertised their meetings such as the Belfast Co-Operative Society and Church of Ireland’s Protestant Orphan Society for the Counties of Antrim and Down.
For those with money, Laragh House in Annamoe, County Wicklow, was advertised for ‘peaceful nights and pleasant days’.
Residents were reminded to carry their identity card with them at all times.[1]
ABOUT
Between 7th April and 6th May 1941, four aerial bombing raids on Belfast killed over 900 people, injured 1,500 and damaged about half of the city’s homes. Thousands were made homeless and over 100,000 residents fled to the country. This period in Belfast’s history has become known as the Belfast Blitz. To mark the 81st anniversary, key events each day over the Blitz period are being retold here on this website and also on Twitter (@drtomstours).
[1] Belfast Newsletter, 24 April 1941, p.1.