4 Jesus Lane

History of 4 Jesus Lane

A wrought-iron gate that existed between nos. 4 and 5 in the shape of a scrolled wheel was made by one Audley.

1823

John Jones the dentist started practising at this address where he lived until 1834.  He was dentist to Joseph Romilly. He later, by 1838, moved to 63 Trumpington Street.

1861

Arthur W Thurnall, 50, surgeon, b Duxford

1913

Edward Hall, college servant

Rev. Pellew Arthur, formerly chaplain Trinity College

1942

On the night of 27th July 1942  an HE bomb hit the parapet on no.3 Jesus Lane, ricocheting on to the opposite wall before exploding in the basement of no.4 Jesus Lane. Scars caused by the fragmentation from these incidents may still be found on the wall opposite. (See Michael Bowyer Air Raid! pub. 1986)

Official ARP report:

COPY No.1 Main Post, Market Yard, Cambridge

AIR RAID INCIDENTS – AREAS 6: 8: 9.

01.40 “Stand by” was received at Main Post, followed by ‘Red’ from Control Centre at 01.42 hours.

At 02.48 Hostile ‘plane flying very low made a circuit of centre of town. On its return flight still flying very low it passed over Jesus Green and dropped H.E [high explosive] and I.Bs [incendiary bombs] in Areas 6; 8; and 9.

AREA NO. 6.

Two 50 kilo bombs and incendiaries were dropped. One 50 kilo bomb dropped outside King and Harper’s, corner of bridge Street and Jesus Lane, doing structural damage, etc. The other bomb entered the basement of No.4 Jesus Lane where it exploded. The I.Bs caused fire at Nos. 3 and 4 Jesus Lane which were reported to N.F.S. by Wardens. The fire at No. 3 was practically put out by the occupants. I arrived on the scene, followed by the N.F.S. at 03.08 hours.

A ladder had been placed against the wall and the occupants in rooms above helped down. The I.Bs had been put out by Wardens and helpers – those on the road – with sandbags. Messengers Bilton and Naylor dealt with some of the I.Bs; they think about six. No reports of any unexploded ones have been received.

The same time is given in all incident as the raid was a matter of seconds.

I was informed that a person was under the wreckage of No. 4, down the basement, and as no Rescue Party had arrived I decided to enter myself, and was accompanied by an Officer of Civil Defence. We removed a rafter and bedding and found a lady, who was partly on her legs, trapped by wreckage. I put my arms around her and the Officer held her head, and called for the assistance of a doctor who was present outside.The doctor managed to get in and after an examination pronounced life extinct. As nothing further could be done, until the Rescue Party arrived. I gently released her and we got out.

The N.F.S. very soon got the fire under control.

Fire Services arrived at 03.08 and 03.15 and left at 03.32 and 03.58.

Ambulance arrived at 03.32 and left at 0345.

The people concerned behaved very well and there was no signs of panic.

Ten Wardens on duty from sectors 6 & 7 on ‘Red’.

1962 not listed