Trafford

Born Florence Eva Jenyons on the 15th November 1903, the birth being
registered during the December quarter 1903 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref:
8a/178, the daughter of Edwin & Maud Jenyons (nee Spilsbury).

1911 Census - No trace of her or her mother, though her father was then
residing at 14 Charter Road, Altrincham.

Florence married Ronald Marshall Fairbank at St. John's P.C. on the 7th May
1927, the marriage being registered during the June quarter 1927 in the
Buckow R.D.  - ref: 8a/414.   Ronald was a 25 year old bachelor, residing
at 22 Bowness DStreet, Stretford.   he was an engineer by trade.   Florence
was a 23 year old spinsterfrom 14 Charter Street, Altrincham.

The "Motor Works" was undoubtedly Fords at Trafford Park.   In 1931, they
closed that factory and moved everything down to a new factory at Dagenham,
Essex.   Hornchurch being close to Dagenham.

1939 National Registration - 56 The Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex.   Ronald M.
Fairbank - Married - born: 27th September 1901 - occ: Fitter at Motor
Works.     Florence Fairbank - Married - born: 15th November 1903 - occ:
Unpaid Domestic Duties.   June E. Fairbank - Single - born: 2nd June 1929 -
occ: At School.

At around 02.00 hrs on the first night of the "Manchester Blitz" (22nd/23rd
December 1940), an H.E. bomb landed at the entrance of Stamford Park,
corner of Charter Road and Mayors Road.    The blast from the bomb severely
damaged the corner shop and houses opposite, including the residence of the
Edwin and Maud Jenyons.   Their daughter - Florence Eva Fairbank, aged: 37
and her daughter - (their grand-daughter) June Edwina Fairbank, aged: 11,
were staying with them over the Christmas holiday period.   In view of
their situation, their friend - Mrs. Annie Clark, 89 Oakfield Street,
kindly offered to temporarily put them up at her house.

Just before 20.30 hrs during the second night of the "Manchester Blitz"
(23rd/24th December 1940), a bomb fell on the corner of Oakfield Road &
Moss Lane, Altrincham, destroying six houses and killing 12 civilians.    
Edwin, his daughter and grand-daughter, along with Mrs. Annie Clark were
all killed at No. 89 Oakfield Street.

Aged 37, Florence was killed at 89 Oakfield Road, Altrincham .    Florence
and her daughter were visiting her parents for the Christmas holidays.  The
Fairbank family were residing at 56 The Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex, where
Ronald was employed as an Engineer.   Again the ARP Rescue Services had to
dig in the rubble to locate Florence.    Her CWD Ref No.2 - states that she
was buried by masonry and that her body was fully dressed when found at
06.00 hrs on the 24th December 1940.  Her body was taken to A.B. Brookes &
Son's Mortuary, Stamford New Road, Altrincham and identified by her nephew
- F.W. Evans, 24 Woodhouse Lane, Ashton on Mersey.      Florence was buried
in Altrincham (Hale) Cemetery.    Buried 30/12/1940 - Burial No. 10,771 -
Grave ref: B.11.

Her father, Edwin Jenyons and her daughter, June Edwina Fairbank, were also
killed in the same incident.  Her mother - Maud Jenyons, having survived
both explosions, eventually died on 23/01/1970 aged 85 years.  Maud was one
of only three people hat were rescued alive from this incident.

CWGC - Daughter of Maud Jenyons, of 14 Charter Road, and of Edwin Jenyons;
wife of Ronald M. Fairbank, of 56 The Avenue, Hornchurch, Essex. Died at
Oakfield Road.

Her husband, Ronald married a Margaret Lewis at Romford, Essex in 1946.

See also Edwin Jenyons record.

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Although not individually named, Florence is one of the 12 local residents
killed at this site and around the corner on Moss Lane who are commemorated
in the Memorial Garden on the corner of Moss Lane and Oakfield Road.

On Friday 23rd December 2011 a group of local residents, relatives of the
victims and civic dignitaries attended a wreath laying ceremony at the
memorial garden on Oakfield Road, Altrincham, to the 12 civilians that died
when a German bomb landed at this site at about 8.30 pm 71 years ago to the
day.

The Sale & Altrincham Messenger sent a photographer and a short report of
the ceremony appeared in the 5th January 2012 edition of their newspaper.  
 The Hale, Sale & Altrincham Independent Newspaper also reported the event
in their January 2012 edition. 

As the articles attracted such interesting feedback from relatives of
victims and those involved in their recovery, the Messenger's Chief
Reporter Chris Griffin,  researched the event further and wrote a number of
excellent articles about it and the families involved.   He also reported
about the recent demolition of the nearby Bridge Inn public house where one
of the victims was raised.    The articles were dated 12th January, 26th
January, 2nd February, 16th February, 1st March and the 15th March 2012.  
Chris was able to obtain much unknown information and personal photographs
of a number of the victims from their families.

Four houses from a terrace of six, known as "West View", were destroyed in
this incident - Nos. 87, 89 & 91 Oakfield Road, plus the sweet shop on the
corner of Oakfield Road and Moss Lane.    The bodies from No. 91 and the
shop were the last to be recovered at 1.0 pm on Christmas Day.    The land
where Nos. 83 to 91 Oakfield Road and the shop were sited is now a Memorial
Garden.