Silvertown Ammunition Explosion
I was in my sitting room one evening about seven when the whole of the large bay window crashed into the room, a terrific noise came simultaneously and the river appeared as a sheet of crimson flame. I was stunned for the a time by the shock. I heard afterwards there was not a window left unbroken in Poplar. It was the night of the explosion of the munitions factory in Silvertown. A time of bad nights through air-raids, no proper food and finally the shock of this explosion brought a very severe attack of neuritis…
But I could not stay by the river on pain of a return of the neuritis and it was therefore necessary to seek a new home. I went to Sussex where I had spent so many happy hours at our Holiday Home and began what I call an Interlude. It was such a change from the Isle of Dogs and the strenuous life of war days.
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