Council to commemorate Greenock Blitz 85th anniversary

Council to commemorate Greenock Blitz 85th anniversary

A COMMEMORATION marking the 85^th anniversary of the Greenock Blitz will take place in 2026.

It will be organised to mark the anniversary of the tragic events of 6 and 7 May 1941 when the Luftwaffe bombs rained down on the town during World War Two.

During the attack on Inverclyde, 346 people died, over 10,000 individuals were injured, and there was destruction or damage to thousands of homes.

A motion put forward by Councillor Graeme Brooks and seconded by Councillor Francesca Brennan calling for a commemoration was unanimously agreed by councillors at a full council meeting on Thursday 4 December 2025.

Councillor Brooks, who is also depute provost and the council's armed forces champion, said:

"As time goes on and we lose the people and places most affected by the Greenock Blitz, these anniversaries become more significant and it's vital that we do all we can to remember those who have died, were injured, or whose lives were impacted by these attacks on our towns and villages.

"While the bombings were largely concentrated on Greenock, other parts of Inverclyde were also affected either directly or indirectly so the commemoration is very much for people from across Inverclyde to take part in the commemoration."

It was also agreed at full council that up to £10,000 will be made available towards supporting an appropriate event to mark the anniversary.

Councillor Brennan, who backed the motion, said:

Councillor Brennan, who backed the motion, said: "The Greenock Blitz was a significant moment in our local and national history and had a profound impact on people right across Inverclyde so we must ensure that we take time to reflect on the horrific events of May 1941 and ensure that we never see the likes again.

"A commemoration will allow the people of Greenock and across Inverclyde to pay their respects to relatives who died or were injured and, as people did in 1941 and at tough times ever since, harness our wonderful Inverclyde community spirit to unite against the causes and devastation of war."

The full text of the motion is as follows:

Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Greenock Blitz

1. Council notes that May 2026 will mark the 85th anniversary of the Greenock Blitz, a significant and tragic event in the history of one of our Greenock, Port Glasgow and Gourock. During World War II, on the nights of the 6th and 7th of May 1941, our towns were subjected to intensive bombing raids by the Nazi German Luftwaffe, resulting in the deaths of 346 people, injuries to over 10,000 individuals, and the destruction or damage of thousands of homes.
2. Council recognises the profound impact these events had on the people of Greenock and the wider Inverclyde area, during a period in which Inverclyde stood alongside Britain and its allies in fighting Hitler and the Nazis. The impact of the Greenock Blitz and the enduring legacy of resilience, community spirit, and remembrance continues to this day.
3. On the basis that the Freedom of Inverclyde event is anticipated to be delivered below the allocated budget, that up to £10k of this is repurposed to support events to commemorate the Blitz in May 2026. This money will be used to support the Inverclyde Veterans network to provide activities for a day of commemoration on either the 6 or 7 May 2026, where practicable, or some other appropriate date.

Proposed by: Councillor Graeme Brooks

Seconded by: Councillor Francesca Brennan

The report that went to full council is available on the Inverclyde Council website at https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3802 and a recording of the meeting is on the council's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ktgYSZGJoM.

Page last updated: 8 December 2025