Peter Griffiths

Peter Griffiths – Swansea‑Born Civilian Killed at Send, Surrey

Peter Griffiths, born in 1923, was the son of David and Kate Griffiths of The Ladies’ Realm, Gorseinon, Swansea, Glamorgan. He grew up within the close‑knit Gorseinon community, where his family and their business were well known.

Life During the Later War Years

By 1944, Peter was living in Surrey, one of several southern counties that continued to experience sporadic but deadly enemy attacks during the final phase of the Second World War. Although the main Blitz had ended years earlier, Britain was now facing a new threat: the V‑1 flying bomb, or doodlebug. These pilotless missiles were launched toward London, but many fell short of their intended target and crashed across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey.

Death at Barnes Lane, Send – 12^th August 1944

On 12^th August 1944, Peter Griffiths was killed at Barnes Lane, Send, as a result of enemy bombing. This date falls within a period of intense V‑1 activity over Surrey. The missiles were notoriously inaccurate, and their unpredictable flight paths meant that rural villages and suburban areas were struck without warning.

Send and the neighbouring village of Ripley were among the communities hit during the summer of 1944. Local historical accounts confirm that V‑1 flying bombs fell across the area, causing structural damage, fires, and civilian casualties. The wider region experienced multiple impacts throughout July, August, and September, including a documented strike behind St Anne’s Church in Bagshot during the same period. Peter’s death is consistent with this pattern of late‑war V‑1 attacks.

Return to Swansea and Burial

Peter Griffiths
Gorseinon Congregational Chapelyard, Gorseinon
credit - findagrave

Following his death, Peter’s body was brought home to Swansea. He was laid to rest in the Gorseinon Congregational Chapelyard, ensuring he was buried among family, friends, and the community in which he had been raised