- Spitfire Makers stories at Woolston Library VE Day Tea Party
- Video of my VE Day talk at Woolston Library
Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 8th May 2025
Spitfire Makers stories at Woolston Library VE Day Tea Party
Where better to celebrate VE Day than in the heart of Woolston, the home of the Spitfire that helped win the peace?
The Friends of Woolston Library’s VE Day Tea Party was a perfect place for us to share our plans to commemorate the many who worked in the Supermarine factories on the banks of the Itchen until they were bombed out of action.
The next phase of the Spitfire Makers project will see a dozen more blue plaques installed in this part of Southampton where the iconic fighter was designed and built. A Woolston Spitfire Trail map, like our one already published for Shirley, is also being planned.
We were delighted to meet so many with stories to tell of family members who played their part, both locally and further afield. In particular we were privileged to meet 101 year old Mabel Knowles, who, as an 18 year old, joined the WAAF in 1942, and spent the war as a driver of heavy transport lorries, meeting her dispatch rider husband along the way.
Mabel told how she was kitted out in Gloucester and then sent for initial training to the WAAF base at RAF Morecambe. She recalled the square bashing on the promenade, then it was Skegness for further training including passing her driving exam. As they were in uniform, the WAAFs, unlike the general public, were allowed to go onto the beach to enjoy the sunshine!
Postings to RAF Newton, near Nottingham and RAF Sipson near Peterborough followed with plenty of vehicles for her to drive. She very proudly showed us her WAAF service medal.
The audience of Woolstonites included two former Southampton Mayors, Carol Cunio and Sue Blatchford, who told us that her father was another Spitfire Maker.
Guests listened as Chair, Alan Matlock, spoke about the Spitfire – Woolston’s massive contribution to the eventual VE Day, and the Library would like to bring us back to tell the story more fully.
Alan read out the words of local MP, Darren Paffey, who has given his support to our project: “I’d like to commend the work of the Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust and offer my support to their efforts to create a fitting and lasting tribute to the men and women who helped design (and) build … the Spitfire – and in doing so cemented the city’s place in this heroic chapter of our country’s history.”
As we pause at noon today, it is good to remember that VE Day was not only achieved by “The Few” but, as Churchill said himself; “The front line runs through the factories. The workers are soldiers with the same courage but different weapons.”
Photos courtesy of Robert and David Stidworthy, The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust
Posted on Facebook by Alan Matlock – 9th May 2025
Video of my VE Day talk at Woolston Library
With thanks to the member of the audience who filmed it and shared it on the Friends of Woolston Library page. To view, please click on this link…
It misses a bit of my intro and starts off with me sideways (!), but if you stick with it, it levels out after 5 minutes
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It’s around 25 minutes long and I cover some of the history of the Spitfire in Woolston and the bombing of the factories, with several first-person accounts of what happened.
You’ll hear how the spiral staircase was involved and the tragic events that unfolded at the pedestrian tunnel under the railway line on Hazel Road.
I also share Spitfire Makers’ plans to commemorate it all with blue plaques, an information board and a Trail Map.
Comments welcome
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(Still photos – David Stidworthy)
The Spitfire Makers Charitable Trust 