177 Jubilee Stores High Street

Three of Lowestoft's Our Fallen lived here... Augustus Brown, William Utting and Beatrice Utting

At 2100 hours on 12 May 1943 a force of 25 FW 190 fighter bombers swept in over Lowestoft Lighthouse at rooftop height (50 ft) and delivered the most destructive raid Lowestoft suffered in WW 2 

The worst single incident was at the Jubilee Stores PH where local legend has it that a 21st birthday party for one of the sailors at HMS Europa was underway. The bomb allegedly glanced off the roof of Arnold house before entering the pub and exploding inside. 16 people were killed The same bomb caused serious damage to property in Camden street and Osborne Street. It also triggered a serious fire at nearby Watson's  Garage, which was gutted by fire and several army vehicles parked there were burnt out CREDIT: Bob Collis 

The Jubilee Stores started out its life as the Grenwick Gardens. In 1865 it was listed at 174 High Street and after 1897 with the High Street being widened it was rebuilt and became 177 High Street. The pub carried on trading till May1943 when it was destroyed in an air raid on Lowestoft which claimed 33 lives. This raid on the town was regarded as the "Focke Wolf Raid" of the 12th May 1943. In the above picture taken in 1899, the landlady Mrs Harriet Brown can be seen. By 1932 the landlord was William George Utting. The picture on the right shows the aftermath of the raid. As you can see, there is nothing much left of the pub as people look on at the destruction. CREDIT:Crispin Hook

Plaque reads “ This memorial marks the site of the Jubilee Stores public house. It was destroyed by a 500kg bomb in an air raid At 9 pm on 12th May 1943 killing 16 people. including sailors attending a birthday party. 24 FW 190 fighter bombers made it the biggest raid of the war on Lowestoft. 32 people died. 51 were injured. 31 buildings were demolished and over 1000 damaged. Erected by the Jack Rose Old Lowesleft Society to mark the 75th anniversary of the raid 12th May 2018”