Robert Silk was injured on the 24 October 1940 at 14 Bowyer Road Alum Rock. We have no records to confirm this was a fatal injury.
Additional Notes:
General Hospital West Midlands Police Records Raid 23: 24th October 1940 Air Raid Warning Red was given at 7.48 p.m. on Thursday and the ‘All Clear’ was sounded at 11.17 p.m. The first incident was reported at 8 p.m. when Incendiary bombs fell in the City Centre and at 8.15 p.m. the first High Explosive bomb was reported. Approximately 54 High explosive bombs were dropped, including 6 which failed to explode. Many Incendiary bombs fell in the Edgbaston and Bristol Street area, also in the Cannon Hill district, and the central streets of the City. Many major and minor fires resulted, involving businesses, premises, houses, shops etc. Total casualties: 27 fatal and 34 non-fatal. Business premises in the City Centre were severely damaged by fire, the most serious being at Messrs Marshall and Snelgrove, New Street, whose premises were completely gutted. Many business premises were damaged by blast. As a result of the many fires contingents of Fire Services assisted from West Bromwich, Smethwick and other districts. Fires in other premises continued to break out in increasing number from 9.40 p.m. onwards and additional contingents of Fire Services attended including Bristol, Leicester, Manchester, Bolton and Oldham. Great assistance was rendered in tackling the fires caused by incendiary bombs by passers-by, caretakers of premises etc. which certainly checked many fires. Soldiers, Home Guard, and members of the RAF also rendered much assistance in extinguishing fires. Gas and water mains were damaged in several places and were dealt with by the Services concerned. During investigations into an High Explosive delayed action bomb in LMS Railway Goods Yard, Suffolk Street, 3 police officers were thrown to the ground and 1 sustained shock and injuries to the leg when the bomb exploded. Other damage: A Division: C and A Modes, Smallbrook Street, Hurst Street, Edgbaston Street, Empire, Tony’s, Scala, Victoria Square, Bristol Street, Holloway Head, Gooch Street, Webley and Scott (slight). B Division: Bristol Street and Lower Edgbaston. C Division: Lozells, Great Hampton Street, Shelter Cox Street. Birmingham Fire Services Air Raid Action 24th/25th October 1940 Summary No. 57 Air Raid Warning Purple at 19.46 p.m. Red at 19.50 p.m. and White at 23.20 p.m. Number of incidents dealt with 192; Number of fires caused by enemy action 181; Number of fires caused not by enemy action 1; Number of A.F.S. Appliances engaged 311; Number of R.B. Appliances engaged 60; Number of Jets 343. General Report: The Red Air Raid Warning was received at 1950 hours on 24th October, and the first fire call at 1951 hours. A heavy incendiary raid developed in the fire danger area on the South side of New Street Station, and high buildings in the narrow thoroughfares of Edgbaston Street, Smallbrook Street, Hinckley Street and Hurst Street were soon well alight. Many walls collapsed during the operations. Two Auxiliary Fire Service members were killed and 66 others injured, one of whom was detained in hospital. The resources of the Fire Services of Birmingham were heavily taxed, and as a result the following pumps were brought into the City under the regional scheme: Walsall 6 pumps, Coventry 8, Dudley 9, Burton on Trent 4, Wolverhampton 7, Smethwick 5, West Bromwich 6, Solihull 2, Sutton Coldfield 2, Bromsgrove 2, Redditch 2, Coleshill 1, Stoke 5, Worcester 2, Nottingham 15, Reading 8. Total 84.
