During the evening of 31st. January 1916, Loughborough was attacked by a Zeppelin.
No attacks had been thought possible as far inland as the Midlands and the town and in particular the Herbert Morris engineering works were ablaze with light.
Bombs started to fall on the factory and with great presence of mind two employees, Ernest Stubley and Beatrice Smith, returned to, to turn off the lights.
For their bravery they were both awarded the OBE. Houses in the nearby streets were hit as were properties in The Rushes. Plaques can be seen in the town to commemorate the raid and victims.
