The night Lipton’s was bombed

The result is two presentations during November.

Allan said: “I always found it strange that the full detail of what happened at Leamington during the Second World War was never published after the war, but now I know the reason for that.

“When I talk to people about what happened in Leamington they usually mention the statue of Queen Victoria being moved or make some reference to Lipton’s shop on the Parade.

“Over the past 73 years it has been said that two soldiers and a girl were killed at Lipton’s when it was bombed on the night of November 14 1940; others said it was a courting couple; two wardens, a soldier and a girl, and two soldiers.

“Until I started this project no one seemed to know exactly who was standing in that doorway on that fateful night, their names or what happened to them.

“I have looked into this with fellow local historian Alan Griffin and we have solved the problem and this will become clear in the presentation. One Leamingtonian was bombed twice. How unlucky is that?

“It also seems strange to me, and a shame that there is no specific memorial to those who lost their lives - in fact I doubt there is anyone who knows the names of all those who died - but they will soon.

“At the time there is the confusion of war, reports are considered secret and for obvious reasons very little information finds it way into the local press.

“Over the years a number of people have sent in their memories to the Courier - but memories play tricks and the information is not always totally accurate . This can create a number of weeks’ input to the letters page with everyone having their say and giving their thoughts. Hopefully, I can clarify much of the detail.”

The full presentation is at the Sydni Centre, Cottage Square, Leamington at 7.30pm next Tuesday. All welcome, no membership, £2 entrance, tea and coffee. A shorter presentation just covering the events of November 14 1940 will be given at 1pm on Friday November 15 at the Pump Room for their Friday Focus session.