Clydebank Blitz: Pause for lost families 77 years on

The annual memorial for the Clydebank Blitz was held on Saturday with a separate interdenominational service yesterday at the Blitz Chapel to mark the destruction of March 13 and 14, 1941.

Guests included the Polish Consulate, cadets, Blitz survivors, Provost William Hendrie and deputy Karen Conaghan, council leader Jonathan McColl, Bailie Denis Agnew and MP Martin Docherty-Hughes.

The bombings left 528 men, women and children dead, 617 seriously injured, and tens of thousands made homeless. Entire streets were wiped from the map while amazing survival stories, from places such as the La Scala cinema, have been repeated down the generations ever since.

Provost Hendrie led tributes and said: “It was good to see the turnout at the cemetery and Solidarity Square, especially with atrocious weather, to pay their respects. I have nothing but praise for people who came.

“The Blitz is still in people’s hearts and the services bring back lots of memories to lots of families.

“Hopefully nothing like that will ever happen again and peace will reign always, everywhere, in the future.”

Mr Docherty-Hughes said: “The bombings of the Clydebank Blitz had a devastating impact on our local communities resulting in a loss of life difficult to comprehend today.

“It’s important that we commemorate those who lost their lives and pay tribute to the survivors who came together in the face of such tragedy.

“It’s an honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of West Dunbartonshire in remembrance of the 528 men, women and children who perished during those two days in March 1941.”

Gil Paterson MSP, who attended the service at Dalnottar Cemetery, said: “As ever, despite the horrendous weather, the people of Clydebank showed their respect and acknowledged the sacrifice endured by Bankies during the Blitz.

“It was gratifying to see them turn out in such numbers on such a rain-swept day.”

The Blitz Chapel of Kilbowie St Andrew’s Parish Church hosted a service yesterday.