Over 100 people attended a memorial unveiling at Newport’s Church Litten park yesterday (Wednesday), designed to remember those who lost their lives in 1943 when the area was bombed by the Nazis.
The memorial was unveiled by Newport Parish Council Chairman Lois Prior at short ceremony, with performances from Ashleigh Mackness, who sang the White Cliffs of Dover, and Medina Marching Band, who sounded the last post.
7th April 1943 saw the lives and the landscape of Newport change forever. 20 people lost their lives that day and in 2013 Cllr Julie Jones-Evans was approached by Mrs Christine Pascoe to erect a memorial to remember that tragic day. Mrs Pascoe was living in Chapel Street at the time of the bomb hit. She lost her mother and her sight was damaged.
The memorial is located in Church Litten on the site of Dr Straten’s House, near the play area. It is designed out of red house bricks to recall that this was a civilian tragedy and that many houses were obliterated.
There are 20 buff coloured bricks in the memorial, each one has the name of one of the victims. It was made by Isle of Wight College Year 3 bricklaying students under the leadership of Mr Peter
Ellwood, with a plaque manufactured by A J Wells.
The highlight of the ceremony was several survivors of the bombing, and relatives of those that lost lives, sharing their stories.
Among the attendees that included the High Sheriff, Deputy Lord Lieutenants and members of Newport British Legion.
Isle of Wight Council Chairman Charles Chapman said:
“What a moving and proud evening this was, remembering those that stayed at home to keep the war effort going and in doing so lost their lives along with children and families. What you have set in brick and cement will always be there to remember them”.
Cllr Jones-Evans said:
“I am thrilled with the memorial, how the service went and delighted that we’ve been able to make Christine’s wish come true”.
