The Bombing of Sherborne School 30th September 1940

Craters in the Courts 30th September 1940

Exactly 70 years ago, at about 4.30pm on Monday 30th September 1940, the Battle of Britain came most unexpectedly to Sherborne. About 150 German bombers, whose target was almost certainly the military aircraft factory at Westlands in Yeovil, dropped several hundred bombs on Sherborne after being intercepted by RAF fighters commanded by an Old Shirburnian. He wrote later that he was horrified to see bombs falling on 'the old school courts which I knew so well.'

Incredibly, there were no casualties in the school, where boys and staff were in afternoon lessons, and damage to school property was relatively slight. However, the town was not so fortunate. 18 people were killed, including several children (one a recent evacuee from London), and 31 properties were demolished and over 700 damaged.

CLICK HERE to see a presentation of photographs taken at Sherborne School on 30th September 1940.

Posted: Wednesday, September 29, 2010