LATER DETAILS OF A 'DAYLIGHT RAID'
SHEILA MILLARD REPORTED ‘AN INTRIGUING FOOTNOTE TO HISTORY’ IN THE AUTUMN 2011 JOURNAL
This was the heading in the Hants and Berks Gazette of 25th October 1940, which then gave a lengthy description of the bombing of Odiham on October 18th 1940, which killed five people. Three shops and a cottage were destroyed and eight other properties, adjacent to and opposite the Church Street junction with the High Street, were rendered inhabitable.
In addition to describing the damage caused by the bombs the Gazette pays tribute to members of the Fire Brigade, ARP and First Aid Services for their invaluable assistance. Several people were trapped under debris in Mrs. Boyce’s shop, which stood where what is now Palace Gate road, and rescue work continued after nightfall.
Now, through an enquirer, we learn that personnel stationed at RAF Odiham also assisted, but would not have been mentioned for security reasons. My enquirer was seeking background information about this tragic event on behalf of a fellow medal collector who owns a British Empire awarded to a Canadian soldier, Private CAW Lowden, for the part he played. The Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry was stationed at RAF Odiham at this time.
The citation reads:
“In the afternoon of Friday 18th October 1940 a bomb demolished a house in Odiham village. A man was pinned between a fallen roof and broken floor. H16558 Private CA Lowden, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, regardless of danger to himself from further collapse of the building, worked with persistence, energy and intelligence until he freed the man after more than an hour’s work. Handicapped by darkness and lack of space, he had to saw his way through fallen timbers to reach the trapped man. His untiring efforts, coupled with courage and ingenuity, were worthy of the highest traditions of the service.”