A memorial for the victims of the Sandhurst Road School bombing could be restored after a former resident was “dismayed” at its condition.

Lynne Pugh-Thomas, 65, grew up on the Bellingham Estate with her three older siblings and her parents. Now living in Kent with her husband Graham, she regularly visits Hither Green Cemetery where some of her family members have been buried.

When visiting, she always takes time to see the memorial to the 32 victims of the attack during the Second World War (including 31 children) who were buried in the cemetery.

But on her most recent visit, she was saddened at the "neglected" state of the memorial garden.

When the lone German bomber struck the school on January 20, 1943, Mrs Pugh-Thomas’s then three-year-old brother, John Pugh, was at nursery nearby while her mother Doris was walking along Hazelbank Road.

News Shopper:

Mrs Pugh raced down to her son's nursery after the bomb hit the school

“My mother was at the top of the hill where Sandhurst was and it was around lunchtime. She saw the bomber come over and she knew there was something going on,” Mrs Thomas told News Shopper.

Fearing for her young son’s life, Mrs Thomas’s mother raced down to the nursery to make sure he was safe.

“She didn’t realise he was a lone bomber and she thought it was an air raid.

“She ran all the way down Bellingham Hill to the nursery on Southend Lane. People around were calling her all sorts of names and telling her to take shelter but she wouldn’t,” she explained.

Although no more bombs were dropped, the attack killed 38 children and six teachers at Sandhurst Road School and left a further 60 people injured.

On her most recent visit to the cemetery, Mrs Pugh-Thomas met a man from Brockley whose sister was killed in the bombing.

“He told me that two of his sisters had gone off to school that day. One had come home and one hadn’t.”

She said said the man, who was in his 80s, was also disappointed at the state of the memorial garden.

“I just thought it was so sad. It’s an important part of our history and it’s so neglected."

News Shopper:

Mrs Pugh-Thomas is determined to see the memorial restored

In a bid to restore the memorial, Mrs Pugh-Thomas contacted Sandhurst Primary School to ask if a fundraiser could be set up to re-do the inscriptions of the victims, which are now starting to fade. Sadly, she did not hear back from them.

“I think we are letting down these children and teachers,” she said.

News Shopper has contacted the school for comment.

A spokesman for Lewisham council told News Shopper a staff member had been sent to the cemetery to look at the memorial and suggested a restoration could be on the cards.

He said: “The Sandhurst School bombing during the Second World War was one of the most tragic events in the history of the borough. The memorial dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the tragedy is located in Hither Green Cemetery and we regularly maintain it.

“This includes keeping it clean and tidy, periodical jet washing and planting out the surrounding flowerbeds.

“Over time, the names on the memorial have become harder to read. We will be seeking quotes for them to be re-cut before making a decision about scheduling any potential work.”