Coventry IRA bombing killed five people and injured 70 more - 80 years ago today

The bomb was hidden in the carrier of a butcher’s boy’s bicycle propped against a kerb in Broadgate



Today marks 80 years since five people lost their lives when an IRA bomb blew up in Coventry city centre.

The attack, just before 2.30pm on Friday, August 25, 1939, saw 70 people injured.

The IRA bomb was packed with five pounds of high explosives and triggered by an alarm clock.

It was hidden in the carrier of a butcher’s boy’s bicycle propped against a kerb outside Astley’s store in Broadgate.

When it exploded there was immediate confusion and police and sightseers formed a human chain to keep crowds at bay and direct traffic away from the area.

Broadgate was said to resemble a miniature battlefield with the injured and dead scattered across the cobblestone street.

The frontages to many buildings were wrecked, with buses and a tram car extensively damaged.

Following the attack, five people were later arrested including James Richards, an IRA operating officer, and another suspect Peter Barnes.

Richards later declared from the dock: “As a soldier of the Irish Republican Army, I am not afraid to die, as I am doing it for a just cause.”

Barnes and Richards were executed at Winson Green Prison in Birmingham on February 7, 1940.

The man said to have made the device, and wheeled it to Broadgate, was never found.

The five people killed in the explosion were:

James Clay, aged 82, a widower, of Clarendon Road, Kenilworth, who had just left a nearby cafe.

George Rowlands, aged 50, of Poole Road, Radford, Coventry, who was employed by the Corporation Highways Department.

Elsie Ansell, aged 21, of Clarendon Street, Earlsdon, Coventry, a bride-to-be who was believed to be looking in a jeweller’s shop window.

Rex Gentle, aged 30, of Daimler Road, Radford, a WH Smith relief clerk, who had lived in the city for two weeks, coming to Coventry from Newtown, Wales.

John Arnott, aged 16, also of Daimler Road, Radford, who also worked at WH Smith. He was returning to work with Mr Gentle after their lunch break.

It's not obvious from the picture but the camera is pointing towards the corner of Smithford Street with the King's Head Hotel in the background on the other side of Smithford Street. Broadgate House covers the entire site today.

Do not forget also, that the 45th anniversary of Saturday November 14th 1974 IRA bombing of Coventry, which killed IRA man James McDade ( I think ) and injured his companion, is also coming up, and that the Birmingham pub bombings one week later on Saturday November 21st 1974, killing 21 in the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town have a Coventry link, as the 'Birmingham Six' were arrested whilst making their way to the Coventry bombers funeral in Milltown Belfast.
Excellent footage of Trevor McDonald outside Bayley Lane magistrates court as two police motorcycle escorts brought two Triumph 2000 'jam sandwiches' containing the surviving IRA man, Raymond McLaughlin, was once available to view on the old 'ITN Archive' website, but since it was bought up 'Getty images' it is no longer accessible unfortunately.

Thanks Melisandre

That's amazingly clear footage for the period and the first time I've seen the damage to the shops on the far side of Broadgate to where the blast occured.

Another great find Melisandre

Your welcome Dutchman yes I ve never seen any photos even on the far side . I could believe how many people were there either.

Thank you Rebbonk found the footage by accident.