The late James Holland, then aged 13, was the sole survivor of the bomb explosion which destroyed the Kennington Park Air Raid Shelter on 15th October 1940. See Kennington Park Shelter Deaths, 1940.
His parents died in the explosion, and James reported that he was in hospital for some time. He was not able to attend the funeral of his parents, and in his later years was concerned to find the location of the grave.
In April 2002 his daughter Kay Coster wrote her Plea to help find graves letter to the South London Press. This began a search which was eventually successful.
In an email dated 28 May 2002, Kay reports:
"Great news for my Family. We have today discovered that my Grandparents are buried in Streatham Park Cemetery, Mitcham. This explains why Lambeth, Wandsworth, and Southwark couldn't find them in their records. So near, and yet so far!!!!
Thank you so very much for your interest in this project, I know my Dad has been very heartened by all the kind comments."
James lived in Southampton until his death on 21st August 2003.
10 Sep 2003