HOME FRONT: Birmingham’s Blitz

Steve Richards presents excerpts from his book The Luftwaffe over Brum: Birmingham’s Blitz from a Military Perspective and here details the harrowing diary entries of a volunteer ambulance driver.

THE SCENE IN EDGBASTON STREET NEAR TO THE BULLRING, BIRMINGHAM, FOLLOWING A RAID.

In the autumn of 1940, Claudia Frances Renton was 57 years old and the mother of eight grown-up children. She lived in Mary Road, Stechford (one of Birmingham’s eastern suburbs) with her husband and youngest daughter, Peg. In October 1939, being a car owner, Claudia had offered her services as an ambulance car driver. The following year she enlisted in the Mechanised Transport Corps (MTC) and continued to work in a similar role.

Want to read more?

This is a premium article and requires an active subscription.

Existing subscriber? Sign in now

No subscription?

Pick one of our introductory offers