The Loughborough Zeppelin Air Raid
Zeppelin bomb damage to the Crown and Cushion pub, now Peter’s Pizza Restaurant, Derby Square. (Courtesy Loughborough Library)
About eight o’clock in the evening of Monday January 31st 1916, the people of Loughborough were startled and amazed by a succession of loud explosions. During the winter months there had been talk of air raids in the eastern counties but none had previously come so far inland to Leicestershire. Warnings had been given by the police when air raids had been heard on the coast and, on the evening of the 31st, an hour or so before the fateful visit, the police had warned tradesmen and others that a raid was in progress. No apparent notice, however, was taken, Loughborough’s insular position being considered one of safety. Lights were consequently in full blaze, especially at the Ashby Road picture house and from some skylights at the Empress Works, whilst the town lamps were lit as usual. The result was that an airship travelling in the sky overhead, whilst it missed Leicester, where lights had been extinguished, was attracted to Loughborough. Ten people were killed and twelve were injured. Most of those injured were taken to the Loughborough Hospital, whilst one, a tramp, was removed to the Workhouse Infirmary. (See also page 115)
The Rushes after the Zeppelin raid, on January 31st 1916. Blue Boar Inn on the right and electric station chimney in background. (Courtesy the Leicester and Leicestershire Photographic Society)
33