Memorial Details
Memorial
Clock 1916 bombings Wheatsheaf (Roseberry) Junction
Reference
M46.32
Place
MONKWEARMOUTH
Map ref
NZ 396581
Original Location
On Wheatsheaf (Roseberry) Junction
Which war
1914-1918
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled 11th November 2014 by Cllr. Barry Curran, Deputy Mayor.
Memorial Description
Clock, in free standing fluted pillar painted red with gilded decoration. Total height is 16 feet (4.87m). The clock itself has Roman numerals.
Beside it is a display board telling the story.
Beside it is a display board telling the story.
Materials used
Metal
Inscription
(Commemorating the Zeppelin Raid on 1st April 1916)
Names
How money was raised
Grant of £16,000 from Sunderlands City Council’s North Area Committee.
Notes
1. The clock is placed close to where a Zeppelin dropped bombs killing 16 people, with more dying from injuries. A further 128 were injured.
2. The clock replaces the former clock which was beyond repair and removed as part of the revamping of Wheatsheaf junction in 2012-2013.
3. Children from Southwick Community School are to be involved in planting red and white bulbs next to the clock.
4. The information plaque has the story of the bombings and a list of the casualties.
2. The clock replaces the former clock which was beyond repair and removed as part of the revamping of Wheatsheaf junction in 2012-2013.
3. Children from Southwick Community School are to be involved in planting red and white bulbs next to the clock.
4. The information plaque has the story of the bombings and a list of the casualties.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: David Sloan; James Pasby
Sunderland Echo 23/12/1918 reports the Zeppelin attack on 01/04/1916 - this is the first time it is possible to give an uncensored account. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Tyne and Wear Archive & Museum Service.
Zeppelins German Airships 1900-1945 Osprey Publications Ltd. 2004. ISBN Number 1841765925.
German Air Raids on Britain 1914-1918 Capt Joseph Morris; ISBN 1 897632169 1925 Sampson Low, Marston and Co Ltd, Reprint by the Naval and Military Press; 1993.
Sunderland Echo 23/12/1918 reports the Zeppelin attack on 01/04/1916 - this is the first time it is possible to give an uncensored account. (Available on The British Newspaper Archive)
Tyne and Wear Archive & Museum Service.
Zeppelins German Airships 1900-1945 Osprey Publications Ltd. 2004. ISBN Number 1841765925.
German Air Raids on Britain 1914-1918 Capt Joseph Morris; ISBN 1 897632169 1925 Sampson Low, Marston and Co Ltd, Reprint by the Naval and Military Press; 1993.
External web link
Additional Notes
On the night of Saturday 1 April 1916, German Imperial Navy Zeppelin L11 rained down high explosive and incendiary bombs on both sides of the River Wear.
At about 10pm on the evening of the 1st April 1916, a German Imperial Navy Zeppelin L11 under the command of Korvettenkapitan Viktor Schutze, who recently joined the Zeppelin on the 5th March 1916, was flying at a height of about 2,200 metres, crossed the coast to attack Tyneside. It had left its base at Nordholz, along with L14, at mid-day with orders to attack southern or central England but the wind was such that L11 found itself approaching the River Tyne in the dark. Following a Zeppelin raid on Tyneside by L10 on 16 June 1915 the defences around the River Tyne had been strengthened and at its relatively low height and experiencing difficulties gaining height in the weather conditions, Schutze decided to manoeuvre round and attack the less well protected port of Sunderland.
At about 11pm Millfield and Deptford were first to be on the receiving end of L11’s deadly payload before it crossed the River Wear and turned its attentions on Monkwearmouth. This is when the Goods Yard was hit. Bombs also damaged Thomas Street School, Victor Street and Whitburn Street where St Benet’s Church was damaged. There had been warning of the impending attack and the trams had been evacuated as was the practice. In North Bridge Street Tram No. 10 had been pulled up and was hit along with a house. The conductress, Sally Ann Holmes, was injured and an Inspector was killed. In all 22 people were killed that night with others amongst the 25 seriously injured dying over the following days. Over 100 people received less serious injuries. The local newspaper, the Sunderland Echo, in its report on an air raid on a ‘north east town’ played down the damage and affect on the people saying three small fires were started and quickly dealt with and the people remained calm. Other reports would suggest this was not the case. Shutze himself reported:
‘I decided not to cross the batteries on account of not being very high in relation to the firing, and also because of slow progress against the wind and the absolutely clear atmosphere up above. I fixed, therefore, on the town of Sunderland, with its extensive docks and the blast furnaces north-west of the town. Keeping on the weather side, the airships dropped explosive bombs on some works where one blast-furnace was blown up with a terrible detonation, sending out flames and smoke. The factories and dock buildings of Sunderland, now brightly illuminated, were then bombed with good results. The effect was grand; blocks of houses and rows of streets collapsed entirely; large fires broke out in places and a dense black cloud, from which bright sparks flew high, was caused by one bomb. A second explosive bomb was at once dropped at the same spot; judging from the situation, it may have been a railway station.’
Coming under fire from a gun at Fulwell the Zeppelin turned to the south east and after dropping bombs on the docks flew down to Middlesbrough where it caused more destruction before returning to base at Nordholz at 10am on the 2nd of April.
Sources: Zeppelins German Airships 1900-1945
German Air Raids on Britain 1914-1918. Capt Joseph Morris.
German High Sea Fleet website.
At about 10pm on the evening of the 1st April 1916, a German Imperial Navy Zeppelin L11 under the command of Korvettenkapitan Viktor Schutze, who recently joined the Zeppelin on the 5th March 1916, was flying at a height of about 2,200 metres, crossed the coast to attack Tyneside. It had left its base at Nordholz, along with L14, at mid-day with orders to attack southern or central England but the wind was such that L11 found itself approaching the River Tyne in the dark. Following a Zeppelin raid on Tyneside by L10 on 16 June 1915 the defences around the River Tyne had been strengthened and at its relatively low height and experiencing difficulties gaining height in the weather conditions, Schutze decided to manoeuvre round and attack the less well protected port of Sunderland.
At about 11pm Millfield and Deptford were first to be on the receiving end of L11’s deadly payload before it crossed the River Wear and turned its attentions on Monkwearmouth. This is when the Goods Yard was hit. Bombs also damaged Thomas Street School, Victor Street and Whitburn Street where St Benet’s Church was damaged. There had been warning of the impending attack and the trams had been evacuated as was the practice. In North Bridge Street Tram No. 10 had been pulled up and was hit along with a house. The conductress, Sally Ann Holmes, was injured and an Inspector was killed. In all 22 people were killed that night with others amongst the 25 seriously injured dying over the following days. Over 100 people received less serious injuries. The local newspaper, the Sunderland Echo, in its report on an air raid on a ‘north east town’ played down the damage and affect on the people saying three small fires were started and quickly dealt with and the people remained calm. Other reports would suggest this was not the case. Shutze himself reported:
‘I decided not to cross the batteries on account of not being very high in relation to the firing, and also because of slow progress against the wind and the absolutely clear atmosphere up above. I fixed, therefore, on the town of Sunderland, with its extensive docks and the blast furnaces north-west of the town. Keeping on the weather side, the airships dropped explosive bombs on some works where one blast-furnace was blown up with a terrible detonation, sending out flames and smoke. The factories and dock buildings of Sunderland, now brightly illuminated, were then bombed with good results. The effect was grand; blocks of houses and rows of streets collapsed entirely; large fires broke out in places and a dense black cloud, from which bright sparks flew high, was caused by one bomb. A second explosive bomb was at once dropped at the same spot; judging from the situation, it may have been a railway station.’
Coming under fire from a gun at Fulwell the Zeppelin turned to the south east and after dropping bombs on the docks flew down to Middlesbrough where it caused more destruction before returning to base at Nordholz at 10am on the 2nd of April.
Sources: Zeppelins German Airships 1900-1945
German Air Raids on Britain 1914-1918. Capt Joseph Morris.
German High Sea Fleet website.
Research acknowledgements
David Sloan: James Pasby; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Clock 1916 bombings Wheatsheaf (Roseberry) Junction (M46.32)
Thomas Shepherd Dale (55) Elizabeth Weldon (67)
83 Forster Street 3 The Causeway
Local Labour Leader
Elizabeth Ann Ranson (5)
Thomas Rogerson (55) 3 The Causeway
12 Brandling Street
Alfred Wood Dunlop (17)
George Holmes Rogerson (53) 6 Howick Street
12 Brandling Street
Ernest Liddle Johnstone (31)
John Glasgow (17) 12 Fern Street
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John Joseph Woodward (35)
Florence May Johnson (17) 11 Fern Street
57 Victor Street
John Thomas Lydon (14)
Jas Thompson (46) 21 Fern Street
29 Roxburgh Street
Hannah Lydon (33)
Henry Patrick (16) 21 Fern Street
12 Eden Street North
Elizabeth Jane Thirkell (16)
Gertrude Patrick (19) 12 Burlington Road
12 Eden Street North
Henry Dean (28)
Alfred Finkle (39) 16 Derwent Street
32 Dame Dorothy Street
Robert Garbutt Fletcher (68)
Herbert Archibald Chater (47) 2 North Bridge Street
341 Victor Street
Names M46.32
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