A WAR veteran has been remembering how Altrincham was devastated by the Blitz, on a visit back to the town he made his home.

Bill Redman, who now lives in Australia, is back in the area visiting family and has noticed how much the town has changed.

But thanks to an original newspaper report from the time, he can always remind the younger members of the family how much damage was caused by the bombing raids.

Bill told SAM: "In just over 13 months, Altrincham and the surrounding area suffered untold damage from German bombing raids including 20 deaths and 137 casualties.

"I can remember what it was like at the time, as a 19 year old who had only been in England for a year after travelling from my home in Malta.

"It affected everybody in some way, shape or form and I am lucky enough to have a copy of the Guardian newspaper which chronicles each incident and helps me relay what it was like to my young relatives."

The paper which dates back to the forties refers to the first raid on the night of August 28, 1940 as 'the petrol tank blaze' and Bill says that he remembers first hand how there were many similar nights over the next year.

He went on: "I remember one incident in particular when I was with my girlfriend the night before Christmas Eve.

"A high explosive bomb directly hit a house on the corner of Oakfield Street and Moss Lane - which was not far away from my girlfriend's home.

"The noise was deafening and I am sure that many others will remember the feeling of hearing the air raid sirens sounding and wondering if their home would be next."

Now 79, Bill says that it was a last minute decision for him to come to Altrincham but one that he has never regretted.

He said: "It was a traumatic time for everyone, but I made Altrincham my home and after the war married my girlfriend and settled here for a while.

"Even now, I still enjoy visiting the town and recalling how it used to be, especially during that 13 months of constant raids."

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