The ‘trekkers’ and ‘ditchers’ were Belfast residents who slept in the countryside around Belfast and walked or commuted into the city during the day for work. People feared another attack and thought they were safer sleeping outside the city than…

In the aftermath of the 15/6 April raid, statutory, charitable and welfare organisations were busy trying to rehouse, provide and care for those injured and/or made homeless as a result of the attack. Moya Woodside (above) was a home visitor…

An article in the Belfast Telegraph (1.4.1941) advised people to ‘make friends with the people next door’. In the event of bomb damage to properties ‘rescue squads will be greatly facilitated in their work and will know exactly where to…

In the Belfast Telegraph, a naval officer who had been posted to Belfast for a year gave an anonymous ‘unsolicited testimonial’ about his experience in the city. The article provides an interesting view of life in the city and how…

By the 29 April 1941, the Northern Ireland government at Stormont estimated that 100k people had left the city.[1] They had either fled to new homes outside the city boundaries or were ‘ditchers’ and ‘trekkers’, people who slept in the…

One feature of the Blitz of 1940-41 reported in popular memory was the idea of ‘Blitz Spirit’. The people of Britain reacted to the German bombing of their cities by demonstrating a spirit that united communities in an altruistic effort…

Medical professionals feared there was a considerable risk of disease in Belfast after the Blitz. Dead bodies, especially of animals and domestic pets, as well as damaged water mains that were polluted by sewerage posed a risk to health. Dr…

Many people in Belfast were suffering mental anguish as a result of the raids. William McCready was shaken by the sights of devastation and damage around him. He recalled that he ‘was very fatigued and depressed at this time. I…

Emma Duffin had been at St Georges’ Market on 19 April 1941 (see 20th April 2022 post) to help with the identification of the dead. While she had been there she had ‘heard the voice of a woman in my…

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…