Coventry Blitz Victims

Coventry Blitz victims' details organised alphabetically: Surnames beginning with 'R'

Charlotte Elizabeth Radburn nee Phillips

Charlotte Elizabeth Phillips was born 14/10/1898 in Coventry. Daughter of Frederick Albert Phillips and Louisa Alice Poole. Wife of Oliver Charles Radburn. Resided 6 Primrose Hill Street. Injured in the April Raids 09/04/1941 at Primrose Hill Street, died later the same day at Gulson Road Hospital, Coventry Aged 42. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Charles William Randall

Born 11/02/1880 at Hertford. Husband of Hannah Kennaway Williams. Son of William Langley Randall, and Annie Randall, of Spencer House, Hertford. Resided 643 Foleshill Road. Dental Surgeon. Joined the Civil Defence Wardens Service in 1939 and became Deputy Divisional Warden. Killed whilst on Duty in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at Divisional Headquarters, Foleshill Road Aged 60. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Elsie Marjorie Randall nee Dwyer

Born 28/11/1917 at Willesden. Wife of Cyril John Randall. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Dwyer, of 156 Frankland Road, Croxley Green, Hertfordshire. Resided 13 Curson Avenue, Foleshill. Housewife. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at Foleshill Union Offices Shelter. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Elsie Kate Reader nee Norris

Born 15/04/1900 at Salisbury. Wife of William Henry Reader. Resided at 9 Percy Street. Housewife. Killed in the October Raids 21/10/1940 Aged 39 at 9 Percy Street. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

William Henry Reader

Born 17/03/1898 at Coventry. Son of Thomas James Reader of 105 Torrington Avenue. Husband of Elsie Kate Norris. Resided at 9 Percy Street. Employed Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited. Killed in the October Raids 21/10/1940 Aged 41 at 9 Percy Street. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

William Norris Reader

Born 27/01/1927 at Coventry. Son of William Henry Reader and Elsie Kate Norris. Resided at 9 Percy Street. Attended Gulson Road School. Killed in the October Raids 21/10/1940 Aged 13 at 9 Percy Street. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Harriet Redgate nee Till

Born 01/04/1872 at Walsall. Daughter of George Till and Ann Hickin. Wife of John Redgate. Resided 36 Victory Road. Housewife. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at Foleshill Union Shelter Aged 68. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Hilda Mary Redgate

Born 13/11/1911 at Walsall. Daughter of John Redgate, and Harriet Phillips. Resided 36 Victory Road. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at Foleshill Union Shelter Aged 29. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Eveline Amy Rees nee Bennett

Born 1905 Coventry. Daughter of Walter Bennett and Jane Elizabeth Humphries. Wife of Emrys I Rees. Resided at 46 Trafalgar Street. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 35 at 52 Trafalgar Street. Buried in the Communal Grave London Road, Cemetery, Coventry.

Jean Reeves

Born 09/04/1933 at Coventry. Daughter of Lily Bessie Bennett and William Thomas Reeves. Resided 107 Princess Street. Attended Paradise Council School. Killed in the October Raids 21/10/1940 Aged 7 at 107 Princess Street. Jean and her mother Lily Bessie were in an air raid shelter when it collapsed together with several people including Jean’s father and sister who were not hurt. Buried St Pauls Churchyard, Coventry.

Lily Bessie Reeves nee Bennett

Born 05/06/1888 at Moreton Morell, Warwickshire. Daughter of William Richard Bennett and Elizabeth. Wife of William Thomas Reeves. Resided 107 Princess Street. Killed in the October Raids 21/10/1940 Aged 52 at 107 Princess Street. Lily Bessie and her daughter Jean were in an air raid shelter when it collapsed together with several people including Lily’s husband and daughter who were not hurt. Buried St Pauls Churchyard, Coventry

Anthony (Tony) Hugo Haddon Reilly

Born 24/05/1920 at Stockingford, Nuneaton. Son of Patrick Reilly and Edith Annie Haddon, of 31 Cheylesmore Terrace. Resided 31 Cheylesmore Terrace. Employed as a Grinder at Alfred Herbert Limited. Member of The Home Guard.. Killed by a delayed action bomb 09/04/1941 returning from night duty, Hogarth Warehouse, Foleshill Road Aged 20. Buried in the Communal Grave, London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

John Alfred Rhodes

Born 1879 Scarborough, Yorkshire. Son of George E Rhodes and Jane E Tonks. Resided at 55 St Patrick’s Road. Husband of Mary Elizabeth Rhodes, of 2 Londesborough Road, Scarborough, Yorkshire. Injured in the April raids 08/04/1941 died 17/04/1941 Aged 62 at Gulson Road Hospital, Coventry. Buried Scarborough Cemetery.

Frank Richardson

Son of Samuel and Lucinda Richardson Born 05/07/1921 at Accrington, Lancashire. Resided at 22 Kersley Green Road. Employed as a Wooden Pattern Maker at Alfred Herbert Limited, member of the Works Fire Brigade. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at the works Fire Station whilst on duty Aged 19. Buried London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Gordon John Richardson

Resided at 31 Heath Crescent. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at the Scala Cinema, Gosford Street, Coventry Aged 23. Buried London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Richard John Richardson

Son of Edwin Alfred Richardson a Brass Castor and Selina Hughes. Born 09/11/1900 at Birmingham. Husband of Violet Jane Sheppard. Resided at 662 Sewall Highway, Bell Green, Coventry. Employed as an Inspector for Alfred Herbert Limited. Member of the Works Fire Brigade (Joined 31/07/1940). Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at Alfred Herbert Limited, Cross Road Aged 40. Buried Handsworth Cemetery Birmingham.

John (Jack) Rickhuss

Resided 73 The Chantries. Husband of Hilda Rickhuss. Brother of May. Sally and Jonah Rickhuss (Royal Navy). Killed in the April Raids 09/04/1941 Aged 26 at The Chantries. Buried London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Peter Edgar Arthur Robbins

Born 22/03/1924 at Leamington Spa. Son of Squadron Leader A. X. Robbins, R.A.F. and Beechy Rogers. Resided at 42 Moat Avenue, Green Lane. Employed Alfred Herbert Limited. Firewatcher. Killed at the Alfred Herbert Works, Cross Road whilst on duty as a Fire Watcher in the Coventry Blitz 15/11/1940 Age 16 years 8 months.

Daisy Millicent Ring nee Tovey

Born 12/09/1888 Rugby, Warwickshire. Wife of John Thomas Ring. Resided 9 Bull Yard. Housewife . Killed Coventry Blitz at Barracks Square, Hertford Street 14/11/1940 Aged 55. Buried in the Communal Grave, London Road Cemetery, Coventry, Warwickshire.

John Thomas Ring

Born 14/07/1875 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Husband of Daisy Millicent. Resided 9 Bull Yard. Employed Daimler Company Limited. Killed Coventry Blitz at Barracks Square, Hertford Street 14/11/1940 Aged 64. Buried in the Communal Grave, London Road Cemetery, Coventry, Warwickshire.

Annie Audrey Roberts nee Woodward (Click here for photo)

Born 29/07/1906 Pentre, Rhondda. Wife of Thomas (Tom) George Roberts. Resided at 127 Spon Street. Employed as a Stewardess at the West End Club, Spon Street. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 36 whilst sheltering in the cellar of the West End Club. Buried in the Communal grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Audrey Patricia Roberts (Click here for photo)

Born 29/07/1932 at Coventry, daughter of Annie Audrey Woodward and Thomas George Roberts. Resided at 127 Spon Street. Attended St John’s School. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 9 whilst sheltering in the cellar of the West End Club, Spon Street. Buried in the Communal grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Ernest David Roberts

Born 12/05/1897 at Coventry. Son of Alfred and Clara Roberts, brother of Ada Eliza Roberts. Husband of Rose May Beacham. Resided at 11 Union Street. Employed as a Labourer at the Standard Motor Company Limited. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 44 at Bull Yard Shelter. Buried Communal Grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Ernest Eric Roberts

Born 30/05/1927 at Coventry son of Ernest David Roberts and Rose May Beacham. Attended Cheylesmore School. Resided 11 Union Street. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 13 at Bull Yard Shelter. Buried Communal Grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

John Roberts

Resided at The Coach and Horses, Whitefriar Street, Coventry, Warwickshire. Injured at Coventry. Died on 26/11/1940 Aged 74 at St. Cross Hospital, Rugby, Warwickshire.

Leslie Arthur Roberts

Born 09/10/1928 at Coventry son of Ernest David Roberts and Rose May Beacham. Attended Cheylesmore School. Resided 11 Union Street. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 11 at Bull Yard Shelter. Buried Communal Grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Rose May Roberts nee Beacham

Born 23/05/1893 Birmingham. Wife of Ernest David Roberts. Resided 11 Union Street. Housewife. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 48 at Bull Yard Shelter. Buried Communal Grave London Road Cemetery Coventry.

Cyril Robert Rogers

Born 1905 at Dudley. Husband of H Rogers. Resided 6 Stone Street, Dudley. Hair Dresser. Joined the Auxilary Fire Service in 07/1939. Killed whilst on duty in Coventry with the Dudley Auxilary Fire Service at the Daimler Works, during the April Raids 08/04/1941 Aged 36. Buried Dudley Borough Cemetery.

Dorothy May Rogers nee Jones

Born 23/01/1911 at Coventry. Wife of Ernest Rogers. Resided 184 Hipswell Highway, Coventry. Daughter of William Jones and Alice. Employed Humber Limited. Killed in the November Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 29 at 184 Hipswell Highway. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Ernest Rogers

Born 11/08/1909 at Whittlesea Near Peterborough. Husband of Dorothy May Jones. Son of Tom Rogers of 70 Sir Thomas White's Road, Earlsdon. Resided 184 Hipswell Highway, Coventry. Employed as a Gardener by W.S. Heatey, St Paul’s Road. Killed in the November Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 31 at 184 Hipswell Highway. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

John Ronan

Resided 21 Freehold Street. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 15/11/1940 at 21 Freehold Street Aged 64. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Charles Arthur Rooms

Born 11/02/1920 at Kirkwall, Orkney Isles. Son of Alfred Henry Rooms and Ida of 51 Dulverton Avenue. Employed Moreton and Weaver Limited. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 20 at Armstrong Siddley Works First Aid Post, Parkside. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

William Robert Lowdon Roper

Born 12/07/1922 South Shields, Co Durham. Son of Frederick A Roper and Lena M Lowdon of 110 Nunt’s Lane, Holbrooks, Coventry. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 18 whilst on the late shift at the Armstong Siddeley Factory, Parkside. Buried in the Communal Grave, London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Annie Rose nee Ozierbrook

Born 02/03/1867 at Oakthorpe, Staffordshire. Wife of Percival Rose. Mother of Gertrude Annie Rose, Gladys Eliza Rose, Ida Louisa Rose, Mary Ellen Rose and Maud Annie Rose. Resided at 24 Coleridge Road. Housewife. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 in a surface shelter at 24 Coleridge Road Aged 73. Buried London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Florence Lavinia Ruddick

Wife of G E Ruddick. Resided 19 Beresford Avenue. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 37 at Foleshill Union Shelter. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Malcolm George Ruddick

Son of George E Ruddick and Florence Lavinia Reece. Resided 19 Beresford Avenue. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 Aged 4 at Foleshill Union Shelter. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

James Henry Rutter

Born 16/11/1867 at Wolverhampton (Covan, Staffordshire from 1901 census return). Husband of the late Mary Ann Lacey. Father of Marian Rutter and George H Rutter. Resided Malvern View, Burton Green, Kenilworth. Retired Railway Driver. Killed in the Coventry Blitz 14/11/1940 at 29 Beanfield Avenue Aged 73. Buried in the Communal Grave at London Road Cemetery, Coventry.

Zeppelins Over the Midlands: The Air Raids of 31st January 1916 by Mick Powis

On 31st January 1916 nine Zeppelin airships of the Imperial German Navy bombed the Midlands, opening a strategic bombing campaign designed to cripple British war production. It ended in total failure. The main target was Liverpool but none of the Zeppelins reached it. On foggy Monday night several major Midlands towns were bombed and 70 people killed, 35 in the Black Country between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, 15 in Burton on Trent, 10 in Loughborough, 5 in Derby, 3 in Scunthorpe and 2 in Ilkeston.

A lot is known about the military aspects of the raids but much less is known about what happened on the ground. While the press produced many human interest stories and atrocity propaganda, wartime censorship prohibited publication of any information that could be useful to the Germans, including the towns hit and names of the victims.