The Baedeker Raid on York

Sycamore Terrace

Two residents of Sycamore Terrace were killed in and outside a nearby shelter.

William Long......12 Sycamore Terrace
Betty Pope.........19 Sycamore Terrace





12 Sycamore Terrace is to the left of the lady standing in the street and 19 Sycamore Terrace is behind the high hedge on the RHS of the picture.



The map above shows the exact location of bombs that damaged utility services (3" water and 9" sewage) and Bomb 48 is accurately marked behind Sycamore Terrace.



The circle above marks the same location today. It is behind the houses of Sycamore Terrace and exactly next to where there were air raid shelters for Queen Anne's school. 



William Long was killed outside the shelter and Betty Pope was killed inside. This end of the shelter shows signs of a major repair and the walls shows shrapnel scars.
The backs of houses in Sycamore Terrace can be seen above the roof of the shelter.
Click this link for further images of the shelter.

I would like to thank St Olave's School for allowing me access to the school grounds.
Their assistance is greatly appreciated.


The home of Herbert & Margaret Allison in Sycamore Terrace was sufficiently damaged to force them to move out. A resident, who bought a home in Sycamore Terrace in the 1980s recalls that, when they had the roof replaced they found bullet holes in the brickwork and roof timbers.

The details of those killed:

William Long......aged 31.

William Long (lodging at No:12) worked at RAF Clifton with plant machinery. He was noted in his home area for being able to repair anything that moved.
Making his way to the shelter, 'Bomb 48' landed nearby killing William Long before he could reach safety.



An extract of the Death Certificate confirming William's details, place of residence and (non specific) cause of death.

William Long lived in Bridge End, Elterwater, Ambleside and is buried in the cemetery at Chapel Stile in the same plot as his in-laws and his wife's ashes.



Looking up Langdale towards Chapel Stile.



George Long at his father's (unmarked) gravesite.



The grave location is in the centre of the photograph.



William Long on his AJS motorcyle.



A photograph (unfortunately unmarked) showing William at the controls of a mini-dumper truck.
This is quite possibly taken at RAF Clifton where he was involved in construction work.
During 1942 long runways (1500-2500ft) of 'motorway width' plus perimeter tracks were constructed for the Halifax bomber repair unit.
The Demolition & Construction Company of London was a well established organisation very familiar with large construction projects such as new runways. The company was taken over in 1958 by Cementation who, in 2001, became part of the Skanska Global Group.



William was employed by George Cohen and Sons with a division in Stanningley (near Leeds). It was a very large company heavily involved in war work from iron foundries to construction/demolition projects. At one point, their business was the largest plant hire company in the UK.

On 1st May William's employer wrote to the family expressing their sympathy.
Click this link for an enlargement of the letter.

Information and images kindly provided by George and Pat Long. George is the son of William Long and was only 9 months old when his father was killed.



Pat & George have a holiday cottage to rent on their farm.
Link opens in a new window.


The author would also like to thank Ken McClurg, Dennis Jackson, Sara Dayton, Rosemary Park, Colin Whittle and Michael Green (Chairman, Ambleside U3A) for their valuable assistance.

Betty Pope......aged 6

Betty Pope (who lived in No:19) was six years old and the daughter of Fred & Gladys Pope. Her father was a Sergeant-Major with the Royal Corps of Signals posted to York (although Betty was born in Aldershot). She had one sister called Norma.



Betty Pope photographed shortly before her death

As the air-raid sirens sounded, Fred Pope with his wife Gladys and daughters Norma and Betty made their way towards a shelter in the grounds of the nearby school.
The gate into the grounds was secured with barbed wire but, in desperation, Fred and an ARP warden managed to cut their way through.
Almost as soon as they had placed the children onto a bunk, the bomb (No:48) landed outside collapsing part of the shelter. Betty was killed and her parents and sister were buried in the rubble.

The full story, as told by Betty's family, can be read by clicking this link.........the page opens in a new window.





Betty Pope is buried in a double plot in the York Cemetery with four other air raid victims.



In July 2019, Norma Biggs (neé: Pope) made an emotional visit to her sister's grave.........Norma now lives in Australia.
The grave has been tidied and due to the generosity of 'Emersons Funerals' a headstone with all the names will be placed at the gravesite.

The above information and images are courtesy of Karen Lawley (the daughter of Norma Pope, Betty's sister, who survived the attack)



The location of York Cemetery.