Museum of Croydon - Shrapnel from a V1 flying bomb

Shrapnel from a Bomb
1944 - 1945

Imagine twisted metal like this
falling from the sky above your house.

This is part of a VI flying bomb,
known as a doodlebug.
It was found in the branches of a tree
in Church Way, Sanderstead, in 1948.

William Holloway

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William Holloway

William's account
of the impact of a bomb
is read by an actor:

"We could hear cries
coming from under
the debris of the house
which had been shattered
by the blast of the bomb".

"When I had crawled down
I found Mrs Wagstaff
nursing baby Nicola
and a young child,
Elizabeth,
buried up to her chest in debris.
Mrs Wagstaff pleaded
to be allowed to stay with Elizabeth
but I told her
that if she did not get out quickly
we would probably all
be buried and killed."

"I promised
I would remain with Elizabeth
until she was rescued.

Having got Mrs Wagstaff out,
I started to clear the debris
from Elizabeth.
But the concrete roof of the shelter
began to slip down.
I also realised
that Elizabeth would not survive,
as it was obvious
that her chest was crushed.
She opened her eyes once and I said,
'It's alright, love,
I will keep the light of my torch on
and we shall be alright.'
She just smiled and closed her eyes
and I knew that the end was very near.
I did not consider myself
a very religious type
but I could only
repeat the Lord's Prayer out loud

and hope for the best.

I had one more go
at clearing the debris from her,
but it was no good
and by then I knew she was dead."

"I had the sad task
of telling Mrs Wagstaff
the news of her daughter's death.
The only comfort I could give her
was that she had not died
in the dark and alone.
For myself,
I was very upset
at the failure to save the child
and even today wonder
if I could have done more."