World War I
Upper North Street School in World War I
Most people associate The Blitz with World War Two, but the first airborne terror campaign in Britain took place during the First World War.
At that time Mayflower Primary was called Upper North Street School. On the 13th June 1917 the school was bombed from the air by a German plane called a Gotha. This was the first incidence of civilians being targeted in this or any other war.
“I’d never seen a man cry before, in those days, boys were brought up never to cry”
- Jack Brown, who was six years old at the time of the bombing
Video: Britain's Great War
Headteacher Dee Bleach reads from the school log book as part of Jeremy Paxman's BBC One series
Video: Boming Civilians During WW1
Jack Brown, a six year old boy at Upper North Street School, retells his experience of that day.
East London Advertiser: "Poplar tree planted..."
A Black Poplar tree has been planted in London's East End to mark a First World War tragedy.
Video: Bombing Story
Hear the story of a boy who wouldn't give up looking for his sister when the school was bombed
Slideshow: Damage To The School
Pictures of the bombing of Upper North Street School on 13th June 1917 and the funeral that followed.
Map: Poplar in 1916
Poplar looked a little different in 1916, can you find Upper North School on this map?
Slideshow: Poplar Tree Planting
Pictures of the tree planted to commemorate the lives of the children lost in the attack on Upper North Street School.
If you have a question or a comment about World War I, Upper North Street School or would like to leave your own memories please add a comment.
