Sheffield Blitz: Secrets uncovered - books and talk launch 85th anniversary plans

Like many of her generation, Dorothy Glover never spoke about her experiences during the war.

But the chance discovery of an unpublished memoir following her death in 2009, at the age of 93, triggered a chain reaction that culminated in her grandson, Neil Anderson, dedicating 15 years of his life to uncovering what actually happened in Sheffield 85 years ago.

Now, after a decade and a half of painstaking research, Neil’s work has resulted in the launch of Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection — a groundbreaking four-book set that reveals the untold war secrets Sheffield families believed had gone to the grave.

BUY NOW: Sheffield Blitz – The Definitive Collection is available now at dirtystopouts.com - click here.

"I started this journey with one question: What really happened to my family during the Sheffield Blitz?" said Neil.

"Like so many people, my grandparents lived through the bombings but never spoke about them. I had to find the answers for myself — and for everyone else still wondering."

The Sheffield Blitz wasn’t just two nights of bombing in December 1940 — it was the devastating culmination of years of fear, resilience, and survival.

Neil’s research included interviews with hundreds of survivors, weeks spent in archives in both the UK and Germany, and collaboration with the Imperial War Museum. The result is a vivid and unprecedented insight into the city’s wartime trauma.

To officially launch the collection, Neil will give a talk at a special free event at Sheffield Central Library, in the The Carpenter Room,, Surrey Street, Sheffield, on Wednesday, June 11,at 6pm. Doors open 5.30pm.

The talk will also outline plans to mark the 85th anniversary by Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, which is recording the memories of the last living generation affected by the 1940 Sheffield bombings—those who were children during World War Two. Additionally, the project will enhance the Sheffield Blitz exhibition at the National Emergency Services Museum, introduce a book of 'blitz kids' stories, and launch educational activities, ensuring the Blitz's legacy is preserved for future generations, with help from a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. For more visit sheffieldblitz.co.uk.

Neil’s June 11 talk is a free event - but to register and find out more - click here.

At the talk, he will share the inside story of his 15-year quest — from why Sheffield had one of the lowest evacuation rates in the country, to why bombs were still falling four years after the Blitz, including a V1 rocket strike on Christmas Eve 1944.

Among the collection’s most remarkable discoveries is a set of original German bombing maps, smuggled out of Germany after the war. They reveal that the Luftwaffe's objectives extended far beyond industry — with schools, hospitals, and densely populated suburbs clearly marked as primary targets in a campaign of psychological warfare.

Neil added: "This isn’t just history. It’s a time machine into your family’s hidden past — and a record to ensure their stories are never forgotten."

The limited-edition collection includes:

• Four large-format, first edition coffee table books, all signed by the author

• Hundreds of rare and unseen photographs

• Copies of three original German bombing maps of Sheffield

• Full lists of every civilian casualty in WWII

• A detailed bomb map showing where every device landed

• Access to the Sheffield Blitz Walk App and Guided Memorial Walk

• A certificate of authenticity and luxury gift box

The Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust is calling on the public to help bring history to life by loaning treasured artefacts, family heirlooms, and memorabilia related to the Sheffield Blitz.

As part of the Blitz Kids Project — funded by a £91,280 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund — the permanent exhibition dedicated to the attacks at the National Emergency Services Museum is set to double in size in the coming months.

To ensure the expanded display tells the most powerful and personal story possible, the museum is asking the people of Sheffield if they have something they think might suit the exhibition.Items previously displayed have included coins pulled from the wreckage of the Marples Hotel, which was flattened during the Luftwaffe attacks of December 1940.

The coins had fused together from the extreme heat, serving as a poignant reminder of the tragic loss of life inside the building. There’s also a bible – the only item that survived a direct hit on a Sheffield home.

These deeply personal objects help illustrate the devastating impact of the blitz, making the history tangible for future generations.

Neil, of the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, said: “We know there are treasured objects hidden away in drawers and attics that could help tell the story of Sheffield’s darkest hours. Whether it’s photographs, letters, medals, shrapnel, or household items that survived the bombing, the museum is particularly keen to find new objects that tell a personal story.

”Thousands of visitors a year already visit the Sheffield Blitz exhibition at the city’s National Emergency Services Museum.

“A new book featuring the stories of 'blitz kids'—the last generation to have lived through the attacks – is presently in production.

“The funding is also supporting a series of educational and community engagement activities, including training for volunteers in interview recording, web design, and research.”

If you have an item with a connection to the Sheffield Blitz and would consider loaning or donating, please get in touch with the Sheffield Emergency Services Museum on 0114 249 1999 or email [email protected]