bomb dump explosion

The Main LNER railway line was closed and it was left until 9.00hrs the following day before the area was assessed from the air. Wing Commander John Rowlands MBE was a bomb disposal expert and had been at the airfield near Snaith when he saw the explosion. The Following day he took up a Tiger Moth to inspect the bomb dump from the air and reported seeing a number of dead in the area, but it was deemed that the area was still not safe to enter on the ground.

It was not until June 26th 1943 that it was felt safe enough to venture into the bomb dump and the ten bodies were removed; nine of which were identified and one which was not possible to identify. The bodies of a further eight were never found such was the devastation. The funeral for the ten victims found was held in Selby Abbey on the 30th Jume 1943 with all being buried in the Selby Cemetery. Wing Commander Rowlands and Squadron Leader Herbert Apted led the operation to make the area safe, their team then started to clear the area and a large number of bombs were dealt with over a number of days.