Recording – “The cathedral stands grand and unhurt” ….. “though the streets burn”: the bombing of Canterbury in 1942.

Tuesday 1st June 2027, 20.00

Zoom RECRODING

Virtual – speaker Julian Waltho

About the Talk

Just after midnight on 31st May/1st June, 85 years ago, the citizens of Canterbury awoke to the first heavy bombing of the city. There had been strafing and bombs dropped by aircraft returning from major industrial targets but this was the first time the City of Canterbury, a market town, had been the prime target of an air raid. Two more raids followed in the same week with a further raid on 31st October 1942. In these four raids 76 people lost their lives, whilst many more were injured and made homeless. These four raids are often referred to as the Baedeker Raids. Why were they called the Baedeker Raids, why did Hitler order a heavy raid on a non industrial target, and how did the city and citizens cope?

About the speaker:

Julian Waltho, a history graduate of Oxford University, taught History for 12 years in international schools in Rome Italy becoming fluent in Italian. Returning home he took up teaching posts in Kent and was 6th Form Head at Chatham House Grammar School, Ramsgate, and Deputy Head followed by Head Master of Kent College Senior School, Canterbury. Upon retirement Julian has kept up his great interest in History becoming qualified both as a Green Badge Guide and a guide in Canterbury Cathedral. Recently he has been heavily involved with commemorating the civilian casualties of WWII. This resulted in an information board being placed in the Cty Cemetery at Westgate Court Avenue, which is the final resting place for many who died due to enemy action in WWII. Julian is currently undertaking more research into the fourth raid on Canterbury on 31st October 1942.

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