CAPTION: Knitted tributes have been created to the 21 children who lost their lives in the 1943 bomb attack on St Mary-the-Virgin church in Torquay
Torquay Church Marks 80th Anniversary of Tragic World War Two Sunday School Bombing
A Torquay church and its community have commemorated the 80th anniversary of a devastating World War Two bomb attack which struck the building while children were attending a Sunday School class there.
21 children and three teachers were killed when St Mary-the-Virgin church was hit on Sunday 30 May 1943.
In all, 45 people were killed in the raid, which destroyed 50 buildings in St Marychurch and the surrounding area.
The bomb which hit the church fell near the high altar and exploded, destroying the roof and the walls.
Despite being near the blast, the cross which hangs in the church to this day, was left untouched.
Father Nick Debney, the current Priest-in-Charge, said, “The cross remained hanging, watching over the church, watching over this community in defiance of the hatred of war.”
Whilst the church building was destroyed, the cross remained untouched.
On Monday 29 May, over 350 people attended a Vigil Service held in the rebuilt church to commemorate the anniversary. Memories were shared from people who were there at the time.
There was also a dance choreographed by the Devon Dance Centre, performed to a piece of music entitled ’21 children’ as a tribute to those children lost in the attack.
The music was composed specially for the anniversary by Julie Carter, who remembers the church being rebuilt and was moved to compose a piece of music as a tribute.
The beautiful and moving display has encouraged many locals into the churchyard to reflect and remember.
On Tuesday 30 May, a Requiem Mass was held to remember those who died. At 2:40pm, the time of the attack in 1943, the bells rung out for a half muffled full peel which lasted over 3 hours.
Fr Debney said, “It has been profound to see the number of people who have quietly come into church this last week to remember, to light a candle, to pray for all those who lost their lives, to pray for others too.”
The Yarn Fairies, a local knitting group, have also created a range of knitted tributes, including a knitted church, which are displayed in St Mary’s churchyard to mark the anniversary.
Locals wanted to create the display as a way of remembering.
Fr Debney said, “The creation of that display which has taken months and months to create, has enabled an extended period of our remembering.”
“We thank all of you Yarn Fairies, for your work, your passion and your compassion.”
See more photos from the 80 Anniversary tribute on the St Mary the Virgin Church Facebook page.
