Dedication of Doodlebug Plaque

Dutch Cottage February 2020

Rebecca Harris MP, Rev Marion Walford, Castle Point Mayor Colin Riley, Ray Howard MBE, Stuart Stibbards-Fryer, Mayor and Mayoress of Southend, Norman Smith Leader of CP Council and Alan Acott Town Mayor and his wife Ann.

On the 22 July 1944 a doodlebug fell in Deepwater Road hitting the home of Ray Howard. He was just two at the time. Two of his brothers and his unborn sibling were killed plus two others, Betty Brace and Lord Edward Scott. Many others were injured and the damage covered a large area of the village.

Last year was the 75th anniversary of the event and Stibbards Funeral Directors created a marble plaque and presented it to Ray in the Heritage centre. It has now been placed on a plinth in the grounds of the Dutch Cottage Museum next to the remains of a V1 rocket.

Today myself, along with Janet Walden represented the Archive at the Dedication service conducted by Rev. Marion Walford. Representatives from many Canvey organisations were also invited along with local school children.

The Mayor of Castle Point, Colin Riley, thanked everyone for attending before handing over to Rev Marion. The plaque was unveiled by Ray and he talked a little about the event that has scarred his body and took away members of his family.

Comments about this page

  • I remember the Doodlebug falling onto Deepwater road, I should have been in Ray’s garden being looked after by Mrs Howard who lived next door while mum went shopping.
    I played up at the last minute and mum took me with her hanging onto the side of my 6 week old brothers pram, we got as far as Kitkat road when the bomb descended onto Uncle Ped’s ( Lord Scott’s ) .
    Mum ran all the way back to Deepwater road, I don’t remember if she dumped me in the pram but she must have done because my 5 year old legs couldn’t have kept pace with her!
    I was left with the pram in the care of a villager while she went to see what she could salvage. I remember Mrs Scott (senior) being led from the scene by a soldier.
    I consider myself very fortunate that I was naughty that day, else I may not have been here today!!

    By Val Court (04/11/2023)

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