Wicker Arches bombed ?

david weston · 26-07-2010, 23:40

Under the main arch of the Wicker Arches there is a large, concrete patch. I was told this was where an unexploding bomb went through in the war. Anyone know of this story ?

earlybird8 · 27-07-2010, 04:12

My father wasn't called up for service during the war as he worked in the east end in a steel foundry, and he used to walk through the Wicker every day. I remember him telling me about the unexploded bomb that passed through the main arch, and showing me the 'patch', so it is trued. I feel pretty sure that I've seen a photo of it after the bomb fell, but can't remember when or where, although it may be worth pursuing.

hillsbro · 27-07-2010, 07:05

It's well known that a bomb passed through the arch without exploding, and I had always assumed that the bomb didn't explode at all, though this page includes the statement: "As we approached the Wicker bomb damage was becoming more frequent and in the Wicker Arches there was a hole in the arch and the chassis of a tram on the track directly below it. The bodywork had gone and it was obvious that a bomb had gone through the arch and had exploded destroying the tram and bringing down the overhead wires".

Runningman · 27-07-2010, 08:26

My cousin who was a loco fireman for LNER at the time, tells me that not that long before the bomb struck, a train of wagons carrying petrol had passed over the arches.
There would have been some fire if those wagons had been hit !

Bethsmummy · 27-07-2010, 08:39

I was told years ago by my grandma that the bomb did indeed explode but there are differing accounts.

I always love to have a glance at the arch when passing. The patch is a phenomenal size and it beggars belief that it remained structurally sound.

There can't be a lot of architecture left that bears such visible scars of the war.

andyrad29 · 27-07-2010, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsbro

It's well known that a bomb passed through the arch without exploding, and I had always assumed that the bomb didn't explode at all, though this page includes the statement: "As we approached the Wicker bomb damage was becoming more frequent and in the Wicker Arches there was a hole in the arch and the chassis of a tram on the track directly below it. The bodywork had gone and it was obvious that a bomb had gone through the arch and had exploded destroying the tram and bringing down the overhead wires".

just had a read through that article many thanks, what an insight in to what must have been an unimaginable night!

hillsbro · 27-07-2010, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyrad29

just had a read through that article many thanks, what an insight in to what must have been an unimaginable night!

Yes indeed - my father was working a night shift at Firth Browns, and he walked home to Woodland View through all the devastation (avoiding Malin Bridge where there was an unexploded land mine). It was difficult to get him to talk about what he saw - so utterly awful. In 1943-45 the Germans got it much worse - so pointless.

Treatment · 27-07-2010, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsbro

Yes indeed - my father was working a night shift at Firth Browns, and he walked home to Woodland View through all the devastation (avoiding Malin Bridge where there was an unexploded land mine). It was difficult to get him to talk about what he saw - so utterly awful. In 1943-45 the Germans got it much worse - so pointless.

Yes, I could never understand the rationale of trying to break the German spirit by bombing, when three years earlier bombing had failed to break the British spirit.

helbco · 27-07-2010, 11:40

Always wondered what "The Wicker" meant? I'm sure someone else has mentioned this somewhere on the forum.

andyrad29 · 27-07-2010, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillsbro

Yes indeed - my father was working a night shift at Firth Browns, and he walked home to Woodland View through all the devastation (avoiding Malin Bridge where there was an unexploded land mine). It was difficult to get him to talk about what he saw - so utterly awful. In 1943-45 the Germans got it much worse - so pointless.

certainly puts things in perspective dosnt it?

andyrad29 · 27-07-2010, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by helbco

Always wondered what "The Wicker" meant? I'm sure someone else has mentioned this somewhere on the forum.

goes back to the medieval times dosnt it? sure I've heard wicker fields mentioned?

the_rudeboy · 27-07-2010, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyrad29

goes back to the medieval times dosnt it? sure I've heard wicker fields mentioned?

I've heard it got it's name due to the wicker reed beds that used to be on the river. At one time it was just a large green open space, known as Assembly Green, with a large mound at each end used for archery practice.

hillsbro · 27-07-2010, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by helbco

Always wondered what "The Wicker" meant? I'm sure someone else has mentioned this somewhere on the forum.

Nobody seems to know for sure, according to the Wikipedia article, though maybe wicker baskets were made from the willows or alders that grew there.

andyrad29 · 03-08-2010, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by david weston

Under the main arch of the Wicker Arches there is a large, concrete patch. I was told this was where an unexploding bomb went through in the war. Anyone know of this story ?

just had a walk down that area on my dinner today and took this on my phone, sorry about the quality but you can just make out the patch

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...mage382010.jpg

andyrad29 · 03-08-2010, 14:07

I think you take some places for granted, just look at what a stunning structure this bridge is!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...cker382010.jpg

teddie · 03-08-2010, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyrad29

I think you take some places for granted, just look at what a stunning structure this bridge is!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...cker382010.jpg

You are right, they don't make such stunning architecture now! It's all breeze blocks and cement now.

andyrad29 · 03-08-2010, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddie

You are right, they don't make such stunning architecture now! It's all breeze blocks and cement now.

Would they even know HOW to build something like that now?

harmston · 04-08-2010, 14:09

I like the rhyme about the wicker

A goin darn twicker weer twater run or tweer

I once tried to teach this to a spanish lad who I worked with ,He could not get it right or understand yorkshire

tried all so to explain GREENHILL known as Grenhill AND WOODHOUSE AS WOODUS

cas2009 · 09-08-2010, 17:28

Just noticed you are a Weston. Could you be a distant relative of mine? I'm researching the Weston family from Attercliffe Common.

Thomas Weston b.1875 d.1955 Hairdresser and Taxidermist - shop on attercliffe common.

?

Quote:

Originally Posted by david weston

Under the main arch of the Wicker Arches there is a large, concrete patch. I was told this was where an unexploding bomb went through in the war. Anyone know of this story ?

schoolrdgal · 09-08-2010, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmston

I like the rhyme about the wicker

A goin darn twicker weer twater run or tweer

I once tried to teach this to a spanish lad who I worked with ,He could not get it right or understand yorkshire

tried all so to explain GREENHILL known as Grenhill AND WOODHOUSE AS WOODUS

Also Lydgate Lane Crookes ,Pronounced Ligit Lane . Someone once asked me
the way to Lidgate Lane , took me a while to know what they meant.