Forum Topic

UXB Heathfield Rd

Interesting story on the front page about the WWII  UXB found in Heathfield Road. I know bombs fell on Ealing but didnt know about Acton. Was there major damage from the bombs?

David Archer ● 5778d9 Comments

there are some odd gaps in some streets where it looks like there has been some incongrous building - I always rather assuem those were due to bomb damage

Sara Nathan ● 5778d

The London Metropolitan Archives hold bomb damage maps, in great detail.

Ian M Green ● 5778d

Acton would have been a target because of all the industry and transport links.Bombs were dropped in lines called "sticks"What that means is that if you can join up the modern houses across a number of streets - you can work out the precise line in which a "stick" of bombs fell.I think there is one which crosses Maldon Road and Cumberland Avenue - Google earth would tell you.(

Richard Grange ● 5777d

I found an account on google about the bombing of Acton. It refers to Park Avenue which Ive never heard of.

David Archer ● 5777d

Also worth reading "The Dangerous Years" by Dennis Upton (the effects of wartime on Acton, Ealing & Southall) in which he states that 512 buildings in Acton were destroyed or demolished with 163 deaths and 290 seriously injured and that nearly every road in Acton had some damage.

Robert Darke ● 5777d

I think Faraday Road suffered bomb damage, our house was one of 4 built in the 50's and from what I heard the previous homes were indeed destroyed during the last war.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5777d

There was an ammunitions factory on the industrial estate on the south side of the Uxbridge Road, near to Acton Park.My mum said that the Germans were always trying to bomb it - Churchill used to visit which resulted in a huge bomb which fell on Shepherds Bush Green, west side, where the old closed cinema is located.  They missed their target!May be others can confirm.

Dee Cook ● 5777d

Here's a painting of bomb damage of of Haberdashers Askes School Acton done by 15 year old pupil. Its in the Imperial War Museum ArchiveI wonder what happened to the girl?http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=GET_RECORD&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iwmcollections.org.uk%2FqryMain.php&TN=Uncat&SN=AUTO30291&SE=6643&RN=0&MR=25&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=allResults&EF=&DF=allDetails&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=1&ID=&MF=WPENGMSG.INI&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=193621&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&BG=0&FG=0&QS=

Richard Grange ● 5777d

Interesting, Dee. That would explain the new build flats on the big 90 degree corner of Southfield Road, on the south edge of the industrial estate. And perhaps the new build flats a few blocks to the west where St Albans Av meets Southfield Road.A 'stick' dropped by a bomber trying to hit the munitions factory, flying east to west (or west to east), might explain both those sites.

Hayes Thompson ● 5774d