Sheffield woman describes what it was like to lose both her hero fireman father and her home during the Blitz

The bombings on December 12-13, 1940 was intense, with over 300 aircraft sent to the city and nearly 700 killed over the two nights.

Jacqueline Daniels, 81, daughter of Margaret and Stanley Slack, was just 15-months-old at the time of the fateful attacks.

Her father was an auxiliary fireman, meaning he did not work in the role full-time.

Away from the fire service, he worked for Jf Brindley on River Lane in Pond Hill

During the Sheffield Blitz, which was given the codename ‘Operation Crucible,’ by the Germans, 80,000 homes in the city were damaged or destroyed.

Tens of thousands of tons of explosives were dropped on the city, wreaking devastation.

On the evening of Thursday, December 12, 1940, Stanley along with fellow fireman Frederick Parkes Spencer entered the Empire theatre, situated on the corner of Charles Street and Union Street, to check for casualties and clear the building.

While carrying out their duties, the building took a direct hit, and tragically, they both lost their lives.

Jacqueline has spoken of her father’s heroism and the tragic set of circumstances surrounding his untimely death.

“My father was an auxiliary fireman, on the night of the Blitz.

“On that night my mother had begged him not to go out on duty that night, but he said it was his duty to go out.

"He would not neglect his duty and duly lost his life.

“We lived in Hermitage Street and on that fateful night we not only lost my father but also our house which was completely demolished.

“Leaving us with only the clothes we were wearing on the night.

“My mother walked up The Moor, carrying me, up to The Gaumont Cinema in Barkers Pool, where my grandfather was the commissionaire, and we stayed there until it was safe to leave.

“Unknowingly my mother had passed close by The Empire Theatre, unaware that her husband had been killed there.

“The only thing to survive the demolition of our house was a tin money box in which my mother and father saved their spare loose cash. The money box was found in the debris of our house and I still have this box today.

"It is remarkable that the box is fully intact but all the coins which were in the box have melted together.”

The Moor and Devonshire Green were hit badly during the bombing.

The Marples Hotel in Fitzalan Square endured the greatest single loss of life recorded in Sheffield.

An estimated 77 people lost their lives that night, as they sheltered in its wine cellars.

Tony Garratty, Stanley’s nephew, has also spoken of his uncle’s amazing heroism.

He said: "My great uncle Stan Slack was with Frederick Parkes Spencer at the time.

"He and Frederick died together putting out fires on top of the Empire Theatre.

“Both got blown up.

"Margaret came out of the shelter next morning, her house was blown up. She was left with no husband and a young daughter to bring up.

“My great, great grandad Jorganal and my grandad, Big Jim Garratty, spent hours looking for him.

“They found him in the Peace Gardens.

“My Grandad said he had no marks on him other then his face was black he looked asleep apparently.

"My aunt Margaret remarried and her husband insisted they put flowers on uncle Stan’s grave every Sunday.”

Stanley’s heroism was subsequently commemorated with a memorial plaque.

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