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1940, and the War continued. In the first few months of the year people used to say that it would be over by Christmas. My family’s thoughts went out to Mr and Mrs Upton, friends who lived in London, who were having a hard time in the blitz. They decided to invite them to Chesterfield for a rest. They stayed with my Aunt and Uncle, who had the room for visitors. For several days they spent relaxing, eating an sleeping. Then, my Aunt and Uncle thought that it would be nice if they had a change of scenery. Transport was no problem because, as an undertaker, Uncle had the use of a car. So they arranged a visit to Sheffield. They booked an evening meal at the Marples Hotel, followed by a show at the theatre.

They left the car at a car park between the hotel and the theatre.

All went well, they relaxed and were enjoying the show, until the air raid siren sounded. They were guided to an underground shelter, where they spent several uncomforable hours listening to the drone of planes and explosions.

Luckily, they were not a target, and after what seemed an interminable time, they heard the all-clear.

Then they had the task of finding their way to the car. This was not easy because of the darkness and the rubble. They found the car, dented and scratched, but working.

However, their trauma was not over. The seven storey Marples Hotel was not there. Bombed to the ground. It was thought that the target was meant to be the steel works at Attercliffe, but the hotel took the hit.

70 people died, some could not be identified. In 1959 the site was cleared and the hotel was rebuilt. Sadly, some of the bodily remains are still in the foundations.

Our fiends said that FATE HAD BEEN KIND. Although their hearts ached for those who weren’t so fortunate. They returned to London not knowing what fate had in store.

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