The Blue Door, a World War II Air Raid Shelter

Today, Remembrance Day 2023, I share this picture of the entrance to a WWII air raid shelter. 

In 1941, this was the site of Parnall's Aircraft Factory, (Yate, UK), which manufactured and tested Lancaster bomber gun turrets. Today it's the Whirlpool factory, thank you to them for the tour. 

My father was working at Parnall's on February 27, 1941, when the factory was bombed by a single Heinkel He III bomber, in an unusual daylight raid. My father survived by diving under his lathe, there was no time to run to the shelters since the sirens blew almost at the instant the bombs dropped.

He was 15 years old; 53 coworkers died in the raid. Sadly timely and universal, this blue door reminds me that no child should experience war, or fight, or die, in one.

UPDATE: THE WAR LANTERN, a book for middle-grade readers based on the Parnall's bombing, will be published Oct. 2026. More here. 

 Photo: Author taking notes at the factory site. (Hair braided for safety). Photo courtesy Rich McDonough.

Introducing THE WAR LANTERN, historical fiction for middle grade readers ...

 

The War Lantern is coming October 2026 from my publisher, DCB Young Readers. Consider this amazing cover revealed!

Here's more about the book: 

"On February 27, 1941, bombs fall, families vanish, and the war lantern burns …

In England, fifteen-year-old schoolboy Marcus isn’t supposed to tell anyone about his work at Parnall’s Aircraft Factory, not even his mother, for fear of Hitler’s spies. 

In Germany, fourteen-year-old Gisele’s baby brother is about to be taken away by Nazi officials, who deem him “life not worthy of life.” 

Overhead, Tail End Charlie, an underage Royal Air Force rear gunner, flies for a German steel factory behind a squadron of bombers.

Each lead seemingly separate lives, struggling to survive amid World War II, until the roar of bombs — and the silence in the aftermath — connects them all.

Inspired by her family history, Governor General’s Literary Award–winning author Philippa Dowding delivers a carefully researched and powerfully moving wartime story for young readers about family, connections, and resilience."

The author's father,
England, 1941

PRE-ORDER! I'm delighted to also announce that Indigo, the national bookseller, has just selected The War Lantern as a Most Anticipated Book for Fall 2026 in the children's category! (You can pre-order your copy now, and pre-orders =  book 💕!)

I'm just delighted to have this book ready for the world; it's been a 7-year project but really a lifetime in the making. My thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous Research and Creation grant, as well the Ontario Arts Council for their support. Most of all, thanks to my wonderful publisher for making it happen and to my father for sharing his wartime survival story. 

In the coming months, I'll be posting about the journey of writing historical fiction for children, some of the most challenging writing I've ever done. I'm grateful for all the help I've had along the way.

A little more about Murray, Marcus, and Philippa Dowding in the Yate and Sodbury Voice ...

 

 

"Septimus Murrells Dowding (aka Murray Dowding, 1881-1966) was one of the most renowned figures in the modern history of Chipping Sodbury ... he was a notable civic figure and local historian ... Dowding was also a colourful character, eccentric, and well-read ..."

Really lovely to see my grandfather Murray Dowding, my father Marcus Dowding, and me (yes, Philippa Dowding), all connected in this article by David Hardill, in the Yate and Sodbury Voice. Thank you, David!

Here is the full article: Yate's Dowding Connection, October 4, 2023, by David Hardill

I recently returned from a fascinating research trip to England, in which I was visiting archives to read about WWII and the day my father survived the main bombing of Parnall's Aircraft Factory, in Yate. He was 15 years old on February 27, 1941, and although he survived the bombing, 53 of his coworkers and friends did not. I've always known about this story, but I've never researched it before, and I have to say that the experience was incredibly moving.

At the Gloucester Archive:
Holding one of
Murray's postcards.

There are so many ways to sidle up to our histories, yet sitting in an archive and reading or listening to first-hand accounts of your intimate family past ... no one can really prepare you for the impact that makes upon you. How it changes you. How past and present come face to face in a sudden jolt. It's a fascinating experience.

Thank you to the Canada Council Research and Creation Grant, for sending me on this fascinating journey. I'm still processing it, but I will be adding more and more information here in the weeks and months to come. This research will culminate in a young adult/late middle grade novel, more to come on that!

At right: "The open mouth of this hideous face was used as a peep-hole from the Lady's gallery into the banqueting hall at Little-Sodbury Manor House, Glos. A rare specimen. Dates from about 1500. Copyright, M.D."

More posts about Murray Dowding here.

Update: The War Lantern will be published October, 2026.