The dark day when 41 people were killed in Reading during the Second World War has been remembered on its 80th anniversary.

At tea-time on February 10, 1943 a German aircraft dropped four bombs over Reading to devastating effect.

The majority of those who lost their lives, 29, were killed when one of the bombs destroyed the People’s Pantry, a popular restaurant which had been set up opposite the Town Hall as an emergency feeding centre offering cheap meals to help supplement rationed food.

Some of the victims of the bombings were not identified either.

While 37 were identified, the identities of four of the victims are lost to history.

Tragically, the youngest victims were two 10 year-old children.

Reading Chronicle:

A ceremony was held at 2pm on Friday, February 10, on the 80th anniversary of the bombing.

The anniversary was marked by wreath laying by councillor Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley) the Mayor of Reading, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East and Christine Lewendon, from the Tilehurst Royal British Legion.

READ MORE: BERKSHIRE BYGONES: 41 people killed in bombing raid

Mr Rodda said: “It was very moving actually. There were quite a lot of local people there, some of whom had a close link to the bombing.

“It was very moving, there were people with links to the town, it is important to remember the people who lost their lives.

“The nature of the attack was so brutal, so dreadful.

“It was an attack on civilians carried out with brutality. My heart goes out to people who lost family and friends that day.

“It was quite sobering, it was very sombre but important to remember the loss of those people and come together with our town.

“Me, Rachel Eden the Mayor and Christine Lewendon from the Royal British Legion all laid wreaths, we really came together and paid our respects. ”

Reading Chronicle: Matt Rodda MP and Councillor Rachel Eden, the Mayor of Reading stand in silence as an honorary wreath is laid. Credit: Office of Matt Rodda MPMatt Rodda MP and Councillor Rachel Eden, the Mayor of Reading stand in silence as an honorary wreath is laid. Credit: Office of Matt Rodda MP

Local historian Mike Cooper also attended the event.

Mr Cooper has written a book on air raids in Reading titled ‘Early Closing Day: Air Raids on Reading 1939 -1945.’

Michael Bond, the future author of Paddington Bear, witnessed the bombing while installing a radio transmitter on top of the building.

Mr Bond escaped with his life as the attic of the People’s Pantry remained largely intact.

In a filmed oral history of the bombing for Reading Museum, Mr Bond said: “It was not a very nice experience, but we were all very lucky that we escaped.”

A commemorative plaque was installed to mark the 60th anniversary of the bombing at the Blandy & Blandy office building in 2013.

And, in memory of The People’s Pantry, the café in Reading Town Hall was reopened as The Pantry Café & Kitchen in September 2019.