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CARRY ON REGARDLESS

Colourised photos bring World War II’s famous Blitz spirit to life… from Christmas in a bomb shelter to a quiet cuppa in the rubble

The historic black and white photos have been brought to life with vivid retouching

JAW-DROPPING snaps of the UK during the Blitz have been brought to life through vivid colourisation.

The stunning images bring Britain’s famous World War II spirit to life as the nation rallied in the face of terror.

December 25, 1940: Young children are among those celebrating Christmas in an underground bomb shelter. Many spent the Christian festival in the bunkers after the city was bombed for 57 consecutive nights between September and November
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December 25, 1940: Young children are among those celebrating Christmas in an underground bomb shelter. Many spent the Christian festival in the bunkers after the city was bombed for 57 consecutive nights between September and NovemberCredit: Media Drum World

From a milkman continuing his round despite the trail of destruction, to a woman sipping on a cuppa amidst the carnage, the photographs encapsulate British strength.

Others show families celebrating Christmas in a festively-decorated underground shelter and survivors huddling together.

The snaps also highlight the extent of the damage caused by the air raids, including one of men looking into the wreckage on Elephant and Castle road in London.

1940: A woman sips a cup of tea after her street is struck by a German bombing raid. The Blitz killed around 43,000 civilians during the war
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1940: A woman sips a cup of tea after her street is struck by a German bombing raid. The Blitz killed around 43,000 civilians during the warCredit: Media Drum World
November 15, 1940: Coventry was repeatedly bombed by the German Air Force during the Second World War. The night before this snap was taken, more than 4,300 homes in the city were obliterated.
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November 15, 1940: Coventry was repeatedly bombed by the German Air Force during the Second World War. The night before this snap was taken, more than 4,300 homes in the city were obliterated.Credit: Media Drum World
1940: A young boy, called Leslie, plants a Union flag among the rubble and debris after an air raid destroys his London home
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1940: A young boy, called Leslie, plants a Union flag among the rubble and debris after an air raid destroys his London homeCredit: Media Drum World

The Blitz lasted for eight months from September 1940 to May 1941.

Tragically, the raids by Nazi Germany killed 43,000 civilians.

Royston Leonard, from Cardiff, Wales, is the man who brought these incredible photos to life.

September 7, 1940: Men assess the damage following a night raid on Elephant & Castle. Civilians sheltered in the underground station as German bombs were dropped.
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September 7, 1940: Men assess the damage following a night raid on Elephant & Castle. Civilians sheltered in the underground station as German bombs were dropped.Credit: Media Drum World
1940: Men gather together in Aldwych air raid shelter. The tube station was used as a bunker during the Blitz and kept thousands of Brits safe.
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1940: Men gather together in Aldwych air raid shelter. The tube station was used as a bunker during the Blitz and kept thousands of Brits safe.Credit: Media Drum World

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The 54-year-old electrician explained what inspired him to take on the exciting project.

He said: “The Blitz was a very hard time when life still carried on around the country.

“The pictures show that community is all that matters, not buildings or material things.

“Their message is that the more people try to destroy us, the more we will smile and carry on.”

A milkman continues to do his morning round after a London street is devastated by German bombing. Fireman work to dampen down the ruins behind him.
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A milkman continues to do his morning round after a London street is devastated by German bombing. Fireman work to dampen down the ruins behind him.Credit: Media Drum World
Two million houses (60 per cent of these in London) were destroyed during the devastating Blitz bombings.
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Two million houses (60 per cent of these in London) were destroyed during the devastating Blitz bombings.Credit: Media Drum World

Since taking on the editing projects, Royston believes the work has helped improve his own photography skills.

He revealed:  “I learned colourisation by trying out ideas by myself.

“I have learned so much from colourising, I feel it has helped my photography along the way.”

September 9, 1940: Firemen attend the rubble-covered site of London Bridge and spray water on burning buildings. The area was struck by a series of air raids the previous weekend.
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September 9, 1940: Firemen attend the rubble-covered site of London Bridge and spray water on burning buildings. The area was struck by a series of air raids the previous weekend.Credit: Media Drum World
1940: Readers take a look at the books at the bomb-struck library of Holland House, London. Today, only the east wing and ruins of the historic building's ground floor still remain.
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1940: Readers take a look at the books at the bomb-struck library of Holland House, London. Today, only the east wing and ruins of the historic building's ground floor still remain.Credit: Media Drum World
1940: St Pancras station was hit by air strikes during the Blitz. The junction was relaid in 1947 following the wreckage of war.
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1940: St Pancras station was hit by air strikes during the Blitz. The junction was relaid in 1947 following the wreckage of war.Credit: Media Drum World

He added: “The message is already there for all to see in the pictures themselves, but I do feel that colourisation helps the younger generation to understand that what happened was real.

“I love giving more life to the pictures and I think that colour improves the story that the photographs tell.”

Royston isn’t the first to bring colour to historic black-and-white photos.

Artist Frederic Duirez brought trench warfare in World War One to life in vivid colour.

And stunning retouched postcards from 1890 captured life in the seaside towns and ruined castles of Scotland in the Victorian age.

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