World War Two in Worcester

With the 75th anniversary of VE Day approaching, we thought a WW2-themed quiz was in order. How much do you know about the impact of war on Worcester? First up is this lovely vintage image of the Blackpole Munitions Factory. Built in 1917 it initially produced cartridges for the front during WW1, reopening for a similar purpose during WW2. The factory was taken over by a well known company between and after the wars and remained until the 1970s. Which company was this? (Photograph with kind permission of Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service)

2. Just across the fields from the Blackpole factory, this fascinating building still stands. Built as a defensive structure, these were common around Worcester during WW2. What are they called?

3. Not far across the fields was RAF Perdiswell. The photograph here shows the 18th-century Perdiswell Hall which became the HQ of 81 Group Fighter Command. It stood adjacent to the City aerodrome, established in the 1930s, and was to become a flying instructors school as well as housing prisoners of war. In 1942, an American Douglas Dakota transporter plane crash landed off the end of the runway into the Bilford Road tip. Which famous Hollywood film star was on board?

4. This unusual rooftop feature adorned with 21st-century aerials, includes a WW2 Spotters post, with lines of sight on all four sides to look out for enemy aircraft. It is located at the former Royal Worcester Porcelain factory. Many local businesses and factories were requisitioned for the war effort including Royal Worcester. What did the factory produce to aid the war effort?

5. Whilst Worcester mostly escaped enemy fire during the war, there were sadly a handful of incidents, most serious of which happened on the 3rd October 1940. A lone German aircraft dropped bombs at low level onto part of St John's (pictured here is a house in Happy Land West, with kind permission of the Changing Face of Worcester), afterwards machine-gunning the area. Seven people were killed and more than 50 injured. The bomber had a specific target in mind. Which factory was this?

6. This photograph shows the 1939 canteen block of the former DEFRA site at Whittington Road. This site was originally constructed to house government staff relocated from London during the bombing raids, but later in the war became what?

7. In 1941, plans for this estate of flat-roofed houses was submitted. Designed by architect Geoffrey Jellicoe, the houses were commissioned by the Ministry of Supply and were designed to be bomb proof. They housed scientists from the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE) which was based in Malvern. Where are these houses?

8. This vintage photograph shows Warman's, one of Worcester's much loved sweetshops. Sweets were rationed throughout World War 2, with restrictions not being lifted until what year?

9. This incredible image shows the arrival of a very famous person at the gates of the The Guildhall in 1951. He had been invited to receive the Freedom of the City. Who was he?

10. Scenes of jubilation here mirror celebrations that took place across the country on VE Day, 1945 (photograph with kind permission of the Changing Face of Worcester). Where was this photograph taken?