Bench in Harrington Square marks London Blitz bombing

Published: 09 September, 2010
by DAN CARRIER

RELATIVES of those killed in of one of the most famous bombing raids of the London Blitz gathered on Sunday to unveil a bench in memory of their lost loved ones.

The attack of September 9, 1940, became headline news around the world, with photos of the aftermath showing a bus slammed against the wall of a house in Harrington Square.

The memorial was organised by Lily Mitchell, now 82, who lost her father, Pinkus, her brother Philip and her sister Freda in the blast. Her 15-year-old brother David was dug out of the rubble after 10 hours. Lily had been evacuated to Bedford. 

Blanche Mundlak, a Camden Town charity worker who witnessed the attack, came to the memorial after reading about the event in the New Journal. Mrs Mundlak, who still lives in Oakley Square, said: “We heard the bombs falling and the next day we walked round to Mornington Crescent. We could not believe what we were seeing – there was a bus thrown up against the houses. It was terrible. The sight still lives with me today, and it was very emotional to meet the surviving members of the family.”

Peter Hilell, Lily Mitchell’s nephew, said: “The bombing has been an open wound since 1940. The family never wanted to speak about it. In that context, this event felt rather daunting. But I think it has helped us come to terms with what happened.”