BROADSTAIRS RAID.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11685, 29 April 1916, Page 5

BROADSTAIRS RAID.

A GIRLS'' SCHOOL BOMBED. A PTPIi/S .MOSCIUP-TKJN. The loiter, given below was written by ii sehoolgirl in lu.-T mother at Ilichnioiul, imui'diately after 'tin? air raid on Broadstairs, in the course of which the school at which she is n pupil was bombed. The a.s follows:- - .My Dearest .Mother. I daresay you are anxious to know all about the air raid. I will describe ii as well as I can. Yesterday atternoon, at the biggt;r girls were all in the dining-room singing, when two explosions were hoard outside. I thought Cor a minute we wore being bombarded from the sea, as another bomb fell just near the other two. Some of I lie girls made I'ov the door, and others followed. Just as the door was opened, another bomb fell. •but (his one fell on the roof of the common room, which is nest door to the chapel. The little ones were in the ct.iiimiin room, drawing, when the bomb fell: the room was tilled with .smoke and dust, lint -everyone, escaped with nothing but dusty heads.i Great crashing* of glass'wore heard, nearly every window at the back of the house being broken. .Mean win Jo., the bigger girls downstairs were conducted into the pantry until everything was safe, thou we wore ait gathered together in the cloak-room to see that everything was all right, and that no one had been hurt. M about ihoo we were all outside looking for bits of bomb. A soldier gave me. a small piece, which you will see in the holidays, if it is .still in my possession. The only serious casualty was the death of a neighbouring chicken. i One of the "maids was a little, cut. I and one. of the little ones was slightly i cut by some glass. Otherwise we are ! all well and happy. The mistresses were simply splendid. Bv bod-time n.ll the passages were cleared of glass and dirt. All the broken windows in the dorms, were nailed over with sacking and stuff, and we went to bed quite peacefully. There Was no panic, and when 1 beard the first bombs .1 just thought 1 was at ;i kinema. or an exciting play !or something of the sort. It seemed j just a new and exciting experience, and there was no time to bo afraid, of anything. It was over so ■soon, and after it was all over, one could hardly believe, it had happened, unless one looked at the school windows and roof. All last night a soldier and policeman patrolled the school, and' we felt quite

safe. To-dav the school has been the centre J of great interest; foot-passengers, bath- j chaiYs. cabs, motor* and babies' prams have been parading up the drive to inspect the damage, and we have been gazed ui>on through the schoolroom uindows'by numerous people as ihough wo wore a now species of monkey (or something else). Our school was the only place they succeeded in hitting, and,' considering the cost of each bomb, very little- damage was done. (We are all proud that 'the bomb was on us.) 1 always said at Richmond that we were, out of evervthing -as regards air raids, but I must sav they, are not very pleasant things if one had than, continuallv. tit Knowing mv little mother as I do. 1 knew von"' would not be panic-stvickcm or hysterical or anything when you heard the news of an air raid. 1 expect, von are wild at not .having scon one. "mil I should not wish lor one at close quarters if i were you. I received the narccl quite saiely, and with thanks. 1 heard from Catherine the other day : she seems much happier than last term, owing to the line weather partly. I think. 1 met Uncle George the other day. He sends his kindest regards- to you. I think I am going «nt with them on j Saturday. "Did you know „Mcrvyu I (Cornish) was home on leave, so I shall Ibe seeing him on Saturday (D.\ .)• j Please, thank daddy tor his telephone ; message. . . Please, thank daddy lor his ripping letter, iust received. With much love and tons ol kisses.1 remain, vour loviuff daughter, MAIUORIE. Hroadsi.-iir??, Kent. February P>. _ I' S I'rele Jack s Inivglar was until in e 'compared to this- "•" ",- Ken won ; Ibe best phased that I should nave had the pleasure and not Inn, I The •'■' Iv-i " referred to was certainly !m,l "l>(. !> b'plonsrfl,i : but wrote eomj plaining that "«s »^ ;l1 s!u ' hll 'l ;ill I the luck."'