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Image Licensing : Cow Lane Coventry, 1941 a42_00357
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Cow Lane Coventry, 1941 a42_00357
Baker Billing and Crows Charity School, Cow Lane, Coventry. The front elevation of Baker, Billing and Crows Charity School on Cow Lane showing the entrance to Pressings Limited Cow Lane Works. At the time this photograph was taken the former school had been converted for commercial use, in which it continued until demolition in the 1960s. A number of the windows are broken or missing, probably as a result of bombing. Coventry City centre was devastated by air raids on 14th November 1940. The raids left the cathedral in ruins and destroyed much of the historic fabric of the city. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England Archive
Media ID 21160787
Filename: aa42_00357.jpg
Size: 4155 x 5228 (6.4MB)
Date: 17th June 2021
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Source: Historic England Archive
Owner URL: https://images.historicenglandservices.org.uk/
Job Title: Photographer
Bomb Damage Coventry Blitz Destruction Enemy Action Luftwaffe Second World War Wwii Hanoverian
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a haunting scene from Cow Lane, Coventry in 1941. The image showcases the front elevation of Baker, Billing and Crows Charity School, which had been converted for commercial use at that time. However, the building's transformation was marred by the devastating effects of enemy bombing during World War II. The photograph reveals a somber sight with broken or missing windows, likely caused by the intense bombings that ravaged Coventry City center on November 14th, 1940. These air raids left significant destruction throughout the city and reduced its historic fabric to ruins. The once proud cathedral now stood as a stark reminder of this tragedy. In this particular shot, one can see Pressings Limited Cow Lane Works' entrance adjacent to the former school building. This juxtaposition highlights how war forced businesses to adapt amidst chaos and destruction. Photographer George Bernard Mason expertly captured this poignant moment in history through his lens. His composition draws attention to both the architectural details of the charity school and the visible scars inflicted upon it by Luftwaffe attacks. Although demolished in later years, this print serves as a powerful testament to resilience in times of adversity while reminding us of Coventry's indomitable spirit during one of its darkest chapters - The Coventry Blitz.
