Air Raids on Hockliffe

Manor House Cafe and Garage [PL/PH2/23]

On 3rd October 1940 a low-flying plane following the A5 from north to south dropped several high-explosive bombs on the village of Hockliffe, causing considerable damage before continuing to Dunstable where it opened fire with machine guns. The raid resulted The Air Raid Precautions committee incident record reads:

"At 14.55 single enemy plane dropped bombs on Watling Street 2 direct hits in main road, fracturing water main opposite pumping station. Unexploded bomb alongside road in field in Potsgrove. Aircraft followed road dropping 4 H.E. bombs in Hockliffe Village causing damage to property & some casualties. 4 houses badly damaged, 2 occupants injured. Further premises occupied by Mr Gripps suffered severe damage, no injuries to occupants. Potters Garage and Tea Rooms [now Manor House] severely damaged. Mr. Potter injured (probably both legs broken). D.Harris of Luton – cuts on leg. No other occupants injured. Fred Bunker's house, Hockliffe House badly damaged. No casualties. Damage to farm buildings adjoining. Severe damage to telegraphic communications. … Owing to unexploded bomb Watling Street closed from Woburn Turn to Sheep Lane Corner." [WW2/AR/CO/2/2]

Another incident took place on 13th October when bombs were dropped in fields near Woburn Road, and on 4th February 1941 two more bombs fell on Hockliffe. Although they exploded in fields, one caused slight damge to bricks, slates and chimney pots to the property known as "The Four Houses" (Royal Cottages) at Tebworth turn. Both upstairs and downstairs ceilings were cracked in one of the houses, but not seriously [WW2/AR/CO/2/3].

1 to 4 Royal Cottages February 2013