THE HEROICS of Dambuster Flt Sgt Bill Townsend are told in this years’s Bromsgrove Rousler.
Flt Sgt Townsend lived in Marlbrook and his contribution to one of the most remarkable Second World War missions are captured by writer Sandra Mason.
Bill piloted one of the 19 Lancaster bombers which carried out the raids and the night of May 16 and 17, 2023 will mark its 80th anniversary.
Bill was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his efforts that night.
His contribution has received little recognition locally, a situation the Bromsgrove Society hopes to rectify by erecting a memorial plaque.
The accompanying cover illustration, Shadow of the Dam, is by award‐winning artist Simon W Atack and is based on detailed aerial photographs of the period.
This year’s edition of the popular history magazine is now available and also includes ‘Bromsgrove in the 1890s’ recalled by Harry Shinner. Writing in the 1970s, he set out his recollections of the town in the last years of the 19th century, leaving a highly entertaining personal memoire.
Harry’s father, William Shinner was manager and chief engineer of the East Worcestershire Water Company and the family lived at Glamorgan House on the Strand.
Regular contributor Pam Harrison has written about her childhood growing up in Worcestershire in the 1950s.
The Cofton Tunnel collapse of 1928 is the focus of a detailed study by Richard Churchley.
Long fascinated by stories of the accident he heard as a boy, Richard weaves together newspaper accounts and other sources, as well as presenting a folk song he has written on the subject.
The remaining articles focus on two landmarks within the town centre.
Jo Slade, Chair of the Bromsgrove Society and Immediate Past Bailiff of the Court Leet, presents new research on connections between Perry Hall, the Housman family and the Court Leet.
And an article by Rousler Editor Mike Sharpe describes notable graves in Bromsgrove Cemetery.
Also included are reviews of three local history books on the area, including the Bromsgrove Society’s own Bromsgrove: The Story of a Market Town.
The 37th edition of the Rousler is available postage‐free via its website – bsoc.co.uk – and via @bromsgrovesoc on social media.
As well as being sold online, the Bromsgrove Rousler is available, still priced £2.95, from a wide range of retail and other outlets across the district.
