THE poignant memories of a man who witnessed a wartime raid on Bournemouth, which may have claimed more than 200 lives, have been captured on film.

Post Office engineer Jack Hopkins, who lived in Lower Parkstone, assisted in the rescue operation after German bombs rained down on the resort on Sunday, May 23, 1943.

The Post Office engineer helped dig out the injured, the dead and the dying after the Metropole and Central Hotels lay in ruins, Beales was ablaze and the Punshon Church wrecked.

Jack’s vivid wartime recollections were recorded by his son Roger Hopkins, 66, who is determined his father’s legacy will live on.

Now the television presenter from Talbot Woods has made a YouTube video, graphically illustrated by Daily Echo images, in memory of his father and those who lost their lives that fateful day.

No-one knows how many died – probably around 131, possibly as many as 208.

Roger said: “Initially, like so many people who had witnessed those terrible scenes, my father was reluctant to talk about that day.

“I have always been interested in local history and, even as a child, I was mesmerised when my parents reminisced on their wartime experiences.

“I made various recordings. This one was recorded at their home in the 1980s on a wet, windy night which seemed to create the right mood.

“Dad took photographs on a freelance basis for the Echo and would have made a brilliant presenter. Sadly he died several years ago but I think he would have been tickled pink to watch this video.”

Roger and his wife Helga, who works as a chiropractor, don’t have any children.

He told the Echo: “We have a big family circle and are determined to keep dad’s memories alive, for future generations.

“I also plan to give a big box of his old photographs to Bournemouth Library for posterity.”