Luke Pollard MP visited Portland Square on the University of Plymouth campus yesterday to lay a wreath in remembrance of those who died in an air raid shelter bombing in April 1941.

The site, in the heart of Plymouth city centre, is marked by a memorial and the names of the victims inscribed on a wall. The attack, which occurred on the night of 22nd April 1941 at the height of the Plymouth Blitz, claimed the lives of at least 71 civilians, although the true number may be higher than that.

On his Facebook page, Luke Pollard MP wrote:

Standing in Portland Square today, surrounded by the University of Plymouth’s vibrant, modern campus, you would never guess it was the scene of so much destruction and suffering. Yet 71 people lost their lives here when Portland Square’s air raid shelter took a direct hit. 

 

 

Plymouth has so much history that we don’t know about. Portland Square has an amazing memorial, and the names of those who lost their lives are written on a wall – but there are so many more streets in Plymouth with stories that aren’t being told. This year’s Blitz 80 commemoration events have made me think about what more we can do to keep our city’s history alive. 

Luke spoke to University of Plymouth student Fawziyyah Ahmed, vice president of wellbeing and diversity for the student union, who laid a wreath on behalf of the University. The pair discussed Plymouth’s approach to its sites of historical significance, and what more can be done to tell the story of the city.

Luke Pollard MP said:

Plymouth has so much history that we don’t know about. Portland Square has an amazing memorial, and the names of those who lost their lives are written on a wall – but there are so many more streets in Plymouth with stories that aren’t being told. This year’s Blitz 80 commemoration events have made me think about what more we can do to keep our city’s history alive. 

You can watch Luke’s conversation with Fawziyyah in full on Youtube below.