Minnie Victoria Pitkin – A Welsh Civilian Lost in the London Blitz

Early Life and Education

Minnie Victoria Pitkin, born in 1910, was the daughter of Mr. W. Pitkin and Mrs. E. Pitkin of Kelvin Road, Clydach, Glamorgan. She received her early schooling locally and attended Pontardawe Secondary School, where she was fondly remembered by teachers and classmates for her warm personality and dedication to her studies.

Move to London and War Service

As a young woman, Minnie relocated to London, where she began work with the Inland Revenue Office. There, she served as part of the civil service during the increasingly difficult years leading up to and during the Second World War.
She was living and working in the capital throughout the London Blitz—the sustained bombing campaign carried out by the German Luftwaffe between September 1940 and May 1941.

The Night of 10^th–11^th May 1941

During the catastrophic air raids of 10^th–11^th May 1941, Minnie suffered severe injuries. This night is recorded as the deadliest of the entire Blitz, when London was subjected to hundreds of tons of high‑explosive bombs and tens of thousands of incendiaries.
Despite efforts to save her, Minnie succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward.

Return Home and Funeral

Minnie's body was returned to Wales, where her funeral took place at St John’s Church, Clydach. She was laid to rest in Coedgwilym Cemetery.
The service was led by the Rev. T. Harries Williams, assisted by the Rev. Beddoe Rees, with Miss Anita Davies at the organ.

Commemoration and Legacy

She was mourned deeply by her mother, sisters, extended family, neighbours, and by many friends from both Clydach and London. Numerous wreaths were sent in her memory, showing the profound affection in which she was held.

Minnie stands among the many Welsh civilians who lost their lives during the London Blitz, a young woman whose life was cut tragically short while serving her country in its hour of greatest need.

Note on CWGC Records

Minnie's name also appears in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records for Paddington Old Cemetery, as her death was officially registered in the Paddington district following the Blitz. This is an administrative entry only; contemporary reports confirm that her body was returned to Wales, where she was buried at Coedgwilym Cemetery, Clydach