TODAY we are continuing our series of articles on the bombing which devastated the Chapelhay area of Weymouth in the Second World War.

So many of you have got in touch to recall the horrors of that day and its aftermath and we are going to be sharing all of these memories in Looking Back.

Thanks to Christine Rashleighberry who got in touch to tell us she was at school when the area was under attack by the Germans.

She said: "I was in the Holy Trinity School when Chapelhay was bombed and I always thought I was at Sunday School so the time of 9 pm doesn't tie up with my memory of it.

"I remember the teacher looking very frightened so I told her that we were quite safe because I was wearing my bracelet.

"My mother gave me this identity bracelet with my name and address on it and told me I would be safe with that on.

"In my child's mind I presumed it had some magical powers to keep me safe.

"After it was all over a man carried me to my house which was opposite the school next to the co-op which had a direct hit.

"There was also a sweet shop that had a direct hit.

"When I got indoors one of my brothers asked me if I would like a piece of fruit, pointing to the fruit in the bowl, which was studded with broken glass.

"We moved to Buxton Road because the house was not safe."

This week we are also hearing from Harry Dowell.

August 11 1940 was the second raid on Weymouth, when bombs were dropped on the Devenish and Groves breweries in Hope Square, Newberry Gardens, Franchise Street and St Leonards Road, but the really major air raid was on December 17 1940 when a mine landed by parachute between Franchise Street and Chapelhay Street overlooking North Quay.

A report states that 879 houses were damaged, 12 people being killed and 40 wounded.

Another parachute mine landed in Bincleaves Road that night.

The bomb that fell on Franchise Street murdered many residents in their homes in the street.

The dead were as follows: Roger Beck, aged 18 of 129 Franchise Street; Joan Boniface, aged 13 of 52 Franchise Street; Gladys Bullen, aged 45 (a school teacher) of 46 Franchise Street; Effie Butler, aged 37 of 46 Franchise Street; Henry Johns, aged 64 of 44 Franchise Street; Francis Johns, aged 42 of 44 Franchise Street; William Rodgers, aged 61 of 50 Franchise Street; Elizabeth Rodgers, aged 70 of 50 Franchise Street; Ada White, aged 54 (a school teacher) of 46 Franchise Street; Albert Young, aged 44 of 48 Franchise Street; Olwyn Young, aged 40 of 48 Franchise Street; Albert Young, aged 12 of 48 Franchise Street and his little brother Gareth Young, aged six, also of 48 Franchise Street.

This information was taken from the book Weymouth and Portland in World War Two, compiled by Edward M. McBride.

On May 6 1941 St Leonard's Road in Chapelhay was hit, while on May 9 Oakley Place took the brunt of two bombs, destroying three houses.

May 11 saw St Leonard's Road revisited, two being killed.

On May 12, Oakley Place, Spring Gardens and Franchise Street received hits, causing severe damage.

Harry Dowell was born in 1932 and was also a pupil at Holy Trinity School.

He said: "The school was at the top of the Chapelhay Steps and was badly damaged by the mine explosion.

"We were transferred to the old arts centre in Commercial Roads and also shared the premises of the Melcombe Regis School formerly at the end of Westham Bridge."

*WE'LL be looking at some more recollections from Harry next week and hearing from some other Looking Back readers about the horror of the Chapelhay bombings.

If you have any photos and memories of this terrible time to share, get in touch with Looking Back on 01305 830973 or email joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk