Scars of the Blitz

 

This building, on the corner of James Street West and Milk Street in Bath was known as the Old Labour Exchange.  I remember it as the building where the WRVS was based - I used to volunteer there as part of community service organized by school.

 

This photo (rather blurry unfortunately, borrowed from the web), shows the building as it was until very recently - a rather modest, single storey and rather utilitarian facade, as befitted its original purpose.

It is a little hard to see but the walls are scarred with significant holes and dents - shrapnel scars  as a result of the Bath Blitz in April 1942.  

It was sixty years after the bombing raids that this rather humble but historically significant building acquired Grade II listed status, being the only building in Bath still bearing significant scars from the Blitz, to protect it from demolition.

 

Now, as this picture shows, the shrapnel damaged ground floor has acquired additional floors, apparently built inside rather than on top of the original building.  

Although attempts were made to preserve the building as a museum to remember the Bath Blitz, planning permission was given for development of luxury student accommodation and this has now been completed.  A plaque is due to be added to the building to record its history and honor those, including my father's mother, who died in the bombing of Bath.