Zeppelin Raid 1916

On the night of 31st January 1916 - 1st February 1916, German Zeppelins carried out their first raid on Derby which resulted in the deaths of four men at Derby Locomotive Works.

These men are buried in Nottingham Road cemetery. 

  • William Bancroft, aged 32, fitter.

  • Charles Henry Champion, aged 41, fitter.

  • James Gibbs Hardy, aged 55, engine driver.

  • Harry Hithersay, aged 23, fireman.

News of the approach of the Zeppelins was received around 7pm and the “Cockcrow” warning was issued. This meant that all factory buzzers, sirens, whistles etc. in the neighbourhood were sounded. Following this warning, trams stopped, street lights were extinguished, windows blacked out, and all factories ceased work extinguishing their lights. The first Zeppelins passed by as no lights were visible.  Around midnight, believing the danger had passed, lights were lit and essential work resumed. Just after midnight L14 Zeppelin, which appeared to be on its way back to base, approached Derby and dropped its remaining bombs. These fell over a wide area including Rolls Royce, Carriage and Wagon Works, Litchurch Gas Works, Fletchers Lace Works and close to private houses.

The men killed at Locomotive Works, had taken refuge in a pit below an engine tender, a place thought to be safe. Regrettably, one bomb dropped only six yards away. Three men were killed outright and one man was mortally wounded. 

Black and white photo of a damaged boiler shop and engine shed at Derby Locomotive Works after a Zeppelin raid in February 1916, showing a partially destroyed building with debris and muddy ground in front.

This first sizeable raid on the Midlands was carried out by nine German naval airships. (L11, L13, L14, L15, L16, L17, L19, L20 and L21). The intention was to attack Liverpool, but no airship penetrated beyond Shrewsbury. L15, L16 and L17 made little progress inland so their courses are not shown on the map.

Map depicting the first sizable raid on the Midlands by nine German naval airships on night of January 31 to February 1, 1916. Shows the courses of airships L.11, L.13, L.14, L.15, L.16, L.17, L.19, L.20, and L.21 as they attacked areas including Sheffield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and other locations. Notations indicate the paths taken, targets, and some airship movements beyond Shrewsbury. A scale shows 0 to 50 miles. Key explains line styles for different courses. A note mentions engine failure of L.19 leading to loss in the North Sea. The map states 379 bombs were dropped, killing 70 civilians and injuring 113. The raid was carried out by nine German naval airships with specific attack plans targeting Liverpool, but some airships made little inland progress.

In total 379 bombs were dropped during the night killing 70 civilians and injuring 113 more.

A gravesite with a headstone in the background and the words 'William Bancroft's Grave' written in the grass on the ground.
Grey headstone with carved inscription in a grassy cemetery, surrounded by other headstones and green trees in the background.
A weathered gravestone in a grassy area surrounded by bushes, with the text 'Charles Champion's Grave' overlaid on the grass.
A small grave site with a wooden cross and a bouquet of artificial flowers, located outdoors in a grassy area with fallen leaves. The text on the image reads "Harry Hithersay's Grave."