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Kirby House Coventry, 1941 a42_00343
Filename: aa42_00343.jpg
Size: 4146 x 5205 (7.2MB)
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
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Kirby House Coventry, 1941 a42_00343
Kirby House, Little Park Street, Coventry. The front elevation of Kirby House at 16 Little Park Street showing evidence of windows broken during air raids. Coventry City centre was devastated by air raids in November 1940. The bombing left the cathedral in ruins and destroyed much of the historic fabric of the city. Kirby House survived the bombing and the post-war redevelopment of the city centre. It is now Grade II* listed
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 21160745
© Historic England Archive
Bicycle Bike Bomb Damage Coventry Blitz Destruction Enemy Action House Luftwaffe Second World War Stuart Wwii Side Car
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the haunting aftermath of the Coventry Blitz in 1940. Standing tall amidst the ruins, Kirby House on Little Park Street tells a story of resilience and survival. The front elevation bears witness to the devastating air raids that ravaged Coventry City Centre, with broken windows serving as poignant reminders of the destruction caused by enemy action. In this snapshot frozen in time, we see not only a building scarred by war but also a glimpse into everyday life during those tumultuous times. A motorcycle with a sidecar parked outside Kirby House hints at how people continued to navigate their lives despite the chaos surrounding them. A bicycle leaning against its wall symbolizes determination and resourcefulness in rebuilding what was lost. While much of Coventry's historic fabric lay in ruins after that fateful November night, Kirby House stood strong against all odds. Its survival is testament to both its architectural significance and its symbolic importance for the community it served. Today, Kirby House stands as a Grade II* listed building, preserving not just bricks and mortar but also memories of an era marked by sacrifice and resilience. This photograph captured by George Bernard Mason serves as a powerful reminder of our shared history and reminds us never to forget the impact of war on our cities and communities.
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