Portsmouth residents are invited to commemorate the 85th Anniversary January 1941 Portsmouth Blitz through special memorial services on 10-11 January. The events honour victims of the city’s deadliest Second World War air raid, which killed over 150 people.
Between July 1940 and July 1944, Portsmouth endured relentless aerial bombardment during the Blitz. The raid on the night of 10-11 January 1941 remains the city’s most catastrophic attack, resulting in more than 150 fatalities whilst leaving hundreds injured and displaced. The bombing severely damaged iconic structures such as the Guildhall and Royal Garrison Church.
A public commemorative service will take place on Saturday 10 January from 10:15am to 10:45am at the Second World War Memorial in Guildhall Square. The Venerable Bob White will lead the ceremony, which includes readings and a two-minute silence honouring all those affected by the January 1941 raids.
The service features readings, poetry, and the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Jean Louth, who spent 27 years campaigning for the memorial. The monument ensures Portsmouth residents who perished in the attacks are permanently remembered. All community members are welcome to attend and pay tribute.
English Heritage and The Pompey Pals Charity are partnering to host commemorative events at the Royal Garrison Church on Penny Street. The venue opens from 11am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, offering extensive remembrance and military heritage activities.
The weekend programme includes a Remembrance Service at 11:45am on Saturday, followed by a two-minute silence at noon. Visitors can explore historical displays documenting Portsmouth’s military history from the First World War to contemporary times.
Re-enactors representing Victorian through Second World War periods will provide living history demonstrations. The Pompey Pals charity will present exhibitions covering Portsmouth’s bombing history, the 85th anniversary of HMS Hood’s sinking, and materials from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Musical performances by The Fine Voice Chorus and The Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band will feature period-appropriate songs. Veterans Outreach Support and Veterans Service Hub representatives will provide information about local support services for the veteran community.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council Leader, stated: “Marking the 85th Anniversary January 1941 Portsmouth Blitz allows us to honour our city’s resilience during its darkest hour. These commemorations ensure younger generations understand the sacrifices made whilst bringing our community together in remembrance.”
The weekend provides an opportunity for all ages to reflect on Portsmouth’s wartime endurance, remember the fallen, and discover more about the city’s Second World War heritage.
