Toby Young Toby Young

Fraternity, solidarity and the spirit of 1945

When we’re under attack, the worst of humanity brings out the best in humanity

issue 27 May 2017

My father worked as a fire warden during the Blitz, trying to contain the damage done by the Luftwaffe, and he witnessed more death and devastation than most soldiers saw on the frontline. Over a million houses in London were destroyed and nearly 20,000 civilians killed. But the horrors of the night were made more endurable by the atmosphere in the capital as day broke.

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