Portsmouth Remembers Blitz Victims

10 January 2011, 12:31 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Survivors and relatives of more than 1,000 people killed in a German bombing blitz on a UK city will attend a memorial service today to mark the 70th anniversary of the attacks.

A total of 1,013 people are recorded to have been killed during the bombing raids which hit Portsmouth, Hampshire, destroying large sections of the naval city including the Guildhall.

Amongst events being held to commemorate the blitz will be a service attended by local dignitaries, residents and schoolchildren.

The memorial will be held today in the rebuilt Guildhall Square, and the names of all those local residents killed will be read out.

A Portsmouth City Council spokesman said:

“The night of January 10, 1941, saw one of the heaviest bombing raids on Portsmouth, Hampshire, during the Second World War, including the destruction of the city's Guildhall.

“The names of those who died will be read out by local residents, survivors, relatives and local dignitaries - 1,013 names of those killed during the blitz bombing raids on Portsmouth will be called out.

“Names include those of civilians, the home guard, emergency services and armed service personnel who were stationed in the city.

“The list has been compiled using data from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Portsmouth Dockyard, and the City Museum and Records Office and with reference to the book Portsmouth - City of Gallant Hearts by Robert W Hind.

“The Guildhall's chimes will also be silenced during the event and the flags outside the Civic Offices flown at half-mast.”