Greenock Blitz 1941

Present day photos, (2014), of areas of Greenock damaged during the raids of the 6th and 7th May 1941 are merged into photos taken in the days following the raids. The damaged area becomes as it is today. In the main, only areas which show repaired homes or parts recognisable in the original photos are used. Much was completely destroyed and the rebuilt area bears no resemblance. I have not included these areas. I hope the video may be of interest.

[@zeropointconsciousness]

Wow! Been living in Greenock for about 4 or 5 years now so know these places very well. Really interesting film you've made here.

[@doraward4391]

Ann ,Elizabeth ,William Cunningham were our siblings who were killed my sister Myra and myself Dora never met them but can't believe the pain our mum and dad went through dealing with there loss but through it all gave Myra and I a very happy life they are all together now rip.

[@williedy65]

My apologies for not replying at the time. A terrible chapter in the history of Greenock. I marvel at the resilience of those, whom I spoke to, that were there. WY.

[@williedy65]

Thank you for your encouraging comment. Though I have no direct connection with Greenock, my wife was born there on VJ Day. Also the grandfather of my daughter’s husband was about 10 when the blitz occurred and remembers not only the devastation shown in the photos, but also the human carnage. WY

[@bobbyfischer6786]

If you watch at 10x speed the merging is bearable

[@lorrainehamilton5051]

Before & After views are great, many thanks from a Bankie whose home town also had to rise from the ashes. Well done!

[@williedy65]

Sorry I did not reply before. Thank you for your comment. I have viewed the video showing the horror of the Clydebank bombing. All a terrible waste of life and resources.

[@inverclydetv]

great work William, your attention to detail and angles very very good

[@williedy65]

Thanks. Will be in contact. Willie Young

[@Thomotestsit]

Brilliant work. I was always intrigued by old pics from the war when i was wee and tried to imagine the scenes in present day. Love this!

[@williedy65]

Alan Cromar Thank you for your encourageing comment

[@badads9255]

My great grandfather died from falling into molten sugar which was flooding the streets after they bombed the sugar refinery. That must have sucked.

[@patrickhouston2610]

What a terrific bit of work, great stuff wish there was more people like you in many other places, love it. Thank you.

[@GIRO]

Just came a cross you're wee video there giro productions just put the Clyde bank blitz if you're interested

[@williedy65]

Yes I am. I have seen other videos and am interested in seeing yours. Both Greenock and Clydebank dreadful episodes. WY

[@GIRO]

@@williedy65 👍😢

[@grianaig1]

Very good. Nicely merged photos. Look forward to the next instalment.

[@williedy65]

Thank you for your comment. Willie Young.

[@wallacetosh2839]

5 of my mothers family were killed in the bombing.W.Tosh

[@williedy65]

Sorry to hear that. The great grandfather of my daughters husband, who is in his 90's, described the scenes of horror in the days after the bombing. I consider myself lucky that I have not had to witness such events. - WY

[@janeyd5280]

so sorry Wallace.x

[@waverley60]

Great Work! I recall walking along Cathcart Street in 1954 age 6 with bomb damage still very visible. The merged 'then and now' photography is beautifully done - Thank You

[@williedy65]

Thanks for your comment. It is interesting to know that there was still evidence of the bombing13 years after the event. The building of the new dual carriage-way removed the buildings on Dalrymple Street and made it pointless to attempt morphing procedure. In case you do not know, there is interesting material in both the McLean Museum and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Museum & Heritage Centre in to the Municipal buildings manned by people knowledgeable in the events.

[@sharonatkinson1161]

🙏❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@roddyk05]

Superb, really liked that. My pals old house on Waverley street looks quite damaged, you would never know it nowadays. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@williedy65]

Thank you for your comment. I am very pleased that there is still an interest in the video. I spoke to the owner of the house, whose roof was extensively damaged, while taking the photos. This may be your friend, who helpfully told me there were 2 blitz photos of his house from different angles. Both are in the video. - Willie Young

[@roddyk05]

+William Young. Sorry William, it wasn't the house in the foreground, my pals house was to the left. Not as badly damaged, but still quite bad looking. I used to stay on Old Inverkip road and there was a story that during the war there was a concrete window lintel that landed in the back garden which was thrown from one of the houses in Dunlop street which was hit. Maybe it was made up, but you never know?

[@williedy65]

I am glad your friend's house was not as badly damaged. If you view 'Greenock Blitz Revision' it shows an extensively damaged house in Dunlop street. A resident in Dunlop street said that although repaired, the house had to be pulled down a few years ago. Your story could be true, as I believe the bomb fell in the road and would have blasted wreckage in the direction of Old Inverkip Road. Willie Y.

[@TB-vo4bq]

Amazing and heartbreaking to see. However Thatcher did more damage to Greenock than the Germans could ever accomplish.

[@junglebray]

what a great project. Must have been horrific to have lived through that; people must have been terrified; good to document that

[@williedy65]

People who lived through the raids are sadly getting few on the ground. My son in law's grandfather, who is over 90, has described the horrific scenes the morning after the raids, when the human losses are added to the pictures.

[@alanmacdonald3763]

Well done !

[@AgaDolly]

I like Greenock

[@reksub10]

wasn't their a video about the blitz with interviews of the people who lived through it?so sad.

[@williedy65]

I too thought there was such a video, but cannot find it, I have a feeling that it was a documentary about Clydebank. Worth looking through are back numbers of 'Inverclyde Now' which is online. July 2014 carried an article on the blitz. There is an updated version of my video entitled 'Greenock Blitz Revision' Willie Young

[@reksub10]

William Young no it was definatly about greenock. I can picture the VHS box and smiths(where john menzies was) selling it. I thought it was titled "tale of tge bank" but thats another story. I might need to ask the library...cheers willie.

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

An incredible job.

[@williedy65]

Thank you. There are a few more examples towards the end of my video, 'Greenock Blitz Revision' which might interest you. A terrible incident in the history of Greenock. The repaired buildings are amazing, which although not in the video, includes part of the town hall roof. - Willie