Fire Watchers

Jack Newton and William Swift both worked for the General Post Office and were on duty on the night of the Leeds raid. Both men were based at the Post Office Building in City Square (now the Restaurant Bar and Grill) and clocked on for their shift without knowing what the evening would include.

William Swift was born in 1903 and lived on Hartley Avenue in Woodhouse with his parents. His bravery during the Leeds raid would lead to him being called a hero, although his story has mostly been forgotten. At 11.40pm, roof spotters saw advancing planes and issued a ‘danger imminent’ signal. Most post office staff went to an underground air raid shelter, but the firewatchers climbed onto the roof of the Post Office building. The building was struck by an incendiary bomb at 12.15pm and the fire was quickly put out. Swift co-ordinated the immediate response and was commended for the ‘energy and determination’ he displayed (‘Air Raid Night of 14-15 March 1941’).

Around an hour later, Swift and John Newton attempted to reach the clock tower at the top of the building to gain a better view of the bombing. The ladder was not securely fastened and fell, throwing the two men onto a flat roof behind the building. Post office staff rescued the men – ‘with difficulty’ – and took them by post van to the Leeds General Infirmary.

Unfortunately, Swift died because of the injuries he sustained from his fall. He was one of many fire watchers who acted heroically, putting their lives on the line to save others. We think his story deserves to be better known.

Harry Lee’s story is better known than his companions at the Post Office. Lee was a member of the Home Guard and was awarded a George Medal for his bravery while fire watching at the Leeds City Gas Works. Harry Lee lived in a back-to-back terrace in Lower Wortley, just minutes from his job at the Gas Works. He had served in the British Army from 1912 to 1919 and remained in the Army Reserve until 1932 (World War One Pension Records, 2018). However, it was at the Gas Works where he earned his status as a hero.

After reporting for duty on the night of 14 March, Lee was stationed at the top of a 40 foot tower, shouting directions to the works fire fighting squads. The Gas Works came under sustained attack during the Leeds raid, being hit by five high explosive bombs and numerous incendiaries. Despite being given permission to 'descend to a place of safety', Lee remain at his exposed post while bombs and shell splinters fell all around (Civil Defence Emergency Committee, 19 May 1941).

As well as helping to tackle fires at the Gas Works, Lee relayed information about bombs that had dropped in the adjoining streets, providing a useful aid to the emergency services (Civil Defence Emergency Committee, 19 May 1941).

Lee’s determination to protect his work and his neighbours can be seen through his acts of selflessness on the night of the Blitz. As a result of his actions, Harry Lee became the first person from Leeds to earn the George Medal, showing exceptional bravery and gallantry away from the field of battle. Despite being recognised as a hero, his response to the award was humbling, telling reporters that ‘every man at the works worked very hard on that occasion’ (Yorkshire Post, 1941).