AN author who has penned a book capturing life in the Blitz says he has been amazed by the fortitude of Hull people.
Stephen Wade's book Air Raid Shelters Of The Second World War coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Blitz.
The book gives a snapshot of daily life and tales of heroism on the Home Front during the harrowing Second World War.
Hull is featured heavily, along with other cities, such as London and Coventry, that also suffered at the hands of the Luftwaffe.
Mr Wade said: "Without doubt, the best response for personal accounts came from Hull.
"I received in the region of 150 letters and e-mails and more than 50 phone calls, some from people in their 90s.
"It is remarkable how these people coped. Their stories did not come across as heroic, just that it was a case of 'This has to be done, so let's just get on and do it.'"
Chapters cover the nature and locations of the raids, the diversity of shelters and the culture and nostalgia of shelter life.
Mr Wade spoke to David Peat, whose father, Raymond, was a cyclist messenger during the Blitz.
He said: "Raymond, who was a teenager, kept a list of the most memorable things he had witnessed.
"One of the things he included on that list was, 'The bundle in my brother's arms. The remains of a child."
Mr Wade also spoke to one man who recalled being on holiday in Scarborough.
Locals stood on Oliver's Mount in the resort could see Hull burning.
During the war, Hull was only ever referred to as a "North East town" in newspapers and on the radio.
In a futile bid to prevent the Germans knowing the full scale of the damage it was inflicting, the press could not name Hull.
Mr Wade said: "People would assume that it was Tyneside that was being spoken of. But Hull was pounded."
Aid Raid Shelters Of The Second World War is dedicated to Mr Wade's parents Joyce and Albert.
The hardback book, published by Pen & Sword Books Limited, costs �19.99.
A special supplement, free inside the Mail, will be published on Friday, May 6, to mark the worst two nights of the Hull Blitz.
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