Baby Killers Over Woolwich – local history talk on Thursday

British propaganda postcard from 1916. Text reads: "The End of the 'Baby-Killer'". Public domain, source Wikipedia
British propaganda postcard from 1916. Text reads: “The End of the ‘Baby-Killer'”. Public domain, source Wikipedia

Steve wrote to tell me that Shooters Hill Local History Group will be hosting a talk by local archaeologist Andy Brockman on Thursday about Zeppelins in the First World War. Andy posted further details in the History Mill Facebook Group:

“Baby Killers Over Woolwich – how Zeppelins brought the First Blitz to south east London”
A talk for the Shooters Hill History Group by Andy Brockman
8pm Thursday 15 October 2015
Venue: Shrewsbury House, Shooters Hill
A century on form the first blitz on London, the talk will tell the story of the attempts of the German Imperial Navy and Air Force Zeppelin crews to attack London and their impact on Woolwich and Plumstead.
All welcome
Cost: Free to SHLHG Members, Guests: £2 to help cover room hire.

The area around Shooters Hill was subject to a number of bombing raids by Zeppelins during WW1, including one which severely damaged a number of homes in Dickson Road on the Progress Estate. There was also an anti-aircraft gun in Eaglesfield Park, the base of which was uncovered by the Digging Dad’s Army project.

Andy is a very engaging speaker on our local history: it should be a fascinating presentation.

Andy Brockman at Colonel Bagnold's air raid shelter
Andy Brockman at Colonel Bagnold’s air raid shelter
WW I poster from Wikipedia - "It is far better to face the bullets than to be killed at home by a bomb. Join the army at once & help to stop an air raid. God save the King" Public domain.
WW I poster from Wikipedia – “It is far better to face the bullets than to be killed at home by a bomb. Join the army at once & help to stop an air raid. God save the King” Public domain.

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