Buses, Bullets & Bombs - Douglas H. Smith

This is the story of the 157 men and women from the Birmingham Transport Department who died in the Second World War and who are commemorated on the memorial in Wheelers Lane. These were the men and women who ensured that countless Brummies got to work on time. They were the drivers, the conductors and conductoresses, the bus cleaners and the office staff. Their stories encompass virtually every aspect of the war and represent all three Armed Forces. The soldiers fought in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Burma and died fighting for their country. One was killed as a result of a war crime, whilst others died due to illnesses contracted in prisoner-of-war camps. The sailors often died together as their ships were torpedoed. The airmen died fighting in the Battle of Britain, in bombing raids on Germany or just due to accidents. Finally, unlike those killed in the First World War, a number were civilians and include men and women. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.