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Tuesday
04  February

“I’ve lived a charmed life” says survivor of Germany’s final deadly V2 raid

 
04/02/2025 @ 09:47

 

A survivor, who lives in Berriew, of one of the last deadly German V2 rocket attacks on the UK during the Second World War is appealing to residents of Stanmore, Middlesex, to join him for an 80th anniversary event on March 23.

Peter Webber, who will be 90 later this year, is organising a remembrance event and plans to clean the memorial stone to the 19 people killed when the rocket landed on Uppingham Avenue, Stanmore, on March 23,1945.

He would like people who lived in Stanmore at the time and still remember the horrific explosion to join him at the event. Peter can be contacted by email through peterjwebber@icloud.com.

A retired successful business entrepreneur, Peter was just nine at the time of the attack and he and his immediate family narrowly avoided death just six weeks before Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on May 8.

However, four members of his extended family lost their lives. Among those killed in the explosion were Peter’s uncle, Walter, aunt, Florence and cousins, Ronnie and Primrose Webber. His cousin Maisie, who was 18 at the time, was the only survivor in her family.

Peter’s family house was the only one of five semi-detached houses in the road that survived without a loss of life.

“I was nine at the time and remember being carried down a ladder to waiting members of the Salvation Army,” he said.

“It was one of the last acts of vengeance by the Germans considering it was so close to the end of the war in Europe. The Germans fired 3,500 rockets at Britain during the war.

“I remember collecting shrapnel on the way to school. My father ran the tool inspection department at de Havilland Aircraft Company at Burnt Oak, having been seconded to industry from the RAF.”

Peter’s family - father William, mother Dorothy and sisters Pauline and Pearl - lived at 262 Uppingham Avenue, Stanmore whilst his aunt, uncle and cousins lived at 266. Ten houses were destroyed in the rocket attack, which left Peter and his family needing to be rehoused.

The Webber family and other local civilians killed during the Second World War are remembered in a civilian war memorial garden in Harrow Weald Cemetery.

“I would like people who recall the attack to join me in remembering those who died in that deadly rocket attack,” said Peter. “Because it was 80 years ago, I appreciate that many people may no longer be alive, but I feel we should not let this anniversary pass unrecognised.”

After spending three months living with an aunt in Kent, Peter and Pauline returned to their temporary family home. Pearl stayed with her parents as she was just one year old at the time.

Earlier in the war, the children had been evacuated to Pontllanfraith in South Wales, where they lived with their grandparents.

Peter admits he has lived a “charmed life”. He went on to qualify as a chartered engineer and become a serial entrepreneur. He formed CellPath, a cancer diagnostics equipment company based in Newtown, and continues to develop new business ideas in retirement.

He did his National Service with the RAF at Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Blackpool and Waterbeach, Cambridge between 1957-’59 and has twice been a winner at the Welsh Veterans Awards.

PICTURES:

Peter Webber with one of his Welsh Veterans Awards.

The rocket-damaged 262 Uppingham Avenue, Stanmore (right) where Peter and his family fortunately survived the explosion.

Peter, as a six-year-old with his parents, William and Dorothy and sister, Pauline.