| Original caption: “Children of an eastern suburb of London, who have been made homeless by the random bombs of the Nazi night raiders, waiting outside the wreckage of what was their home. New York Times Paris Bureau Collection.” 3 British children recover after experiencing a night of bombing by Nazi German aircraft. An aerial bomb neatly destroyed the home behind them, leaving the others on either side mostly intact. The resident of the destroyed house pointed out where his bedroom had been to the other children in other photographs. Survivors of the Stepney Blitz sifted through the wreckage, digging out what they could. Recovering valuable items like family heirlooms, bicycles, tools, and clothing had to be weighed against precipitating a building collapse or encountering heat or fire. Once their possessions were gathered, the homeless survivors were taken by open lorry (“truck”) to a local shelter. There, food, blankets, and if possible a place to sleep were provided. Reverend Reginald K. French (April 20, 1883 – Jun 1, 1960), Rector and Rural Dean of Stepney, would make his rounds through the bomb-damaged streets of east London, during the Blitz, smoking his pipe. He would take clothing from bombed houses to give to survivors in his parish. The Dean’s role was to provide social support to his community. Bert Hardy (May 19, 1913 – July 3, 1995) photographed Stepney’s citizens as they coped with the Blitz for Picture Post Magazine. “The Life of an East End Parson,” appeared in the November 23, 1940, issue. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2019.jpg |
| Image Size | 950.02 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2924 x 2247 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 7, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-306-NT-3163V |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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