These fascinating photos take you back to Wortley in the 1940s as the reality of the Second World War hit home. The main photo shows the aftermath of an air-raid which severely damaged a historic church in the heart of LS12. Other photo memories feature the air raid warden's post on Driver Street and the bridge on Golden Lane over Wortley Beck. The images are published courtesy of photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: Memories of lost Leeds pubs in Armley, Wortley and Farnley LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Wortley in the 1940s
Crown Furniture Mart store at the junction of Wellington Road and Rhodes Terrace. Photo shows part of shop window - sign on side of building reads Big Stock of new and used furniture, complete homes bought and sold. Pictured in November 1940. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net- Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
8. Wortley in the 1940s
Factories and business premises off Whitehall Road in October 1942. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
9. Wortley in the 1940s
Arched, stone bridge over Wortley beck as it flows under Whitehall Road. The beck has a stone retaining wall on the right, and a grassy bank on the left, where three men are standing. Behind the bridge are houses on Whitehall Road. Pictured in November 1946. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
10. Wortley in the 1940s
The bridge on Golden Lane over Wortley Beck. On the left is a low, derelict, brick and stone building with a corrugated iron roof. The bridge is arched. The lane has wooden fences on each side and a gas streetlamp on it. In the distance are the houses of Golden Terrace. Pictured in November 1948. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
11. Wortley in the 1940s
A view of Atkinson Place static water supply basin during construction. Road behind is Wellington Road. Leeds Corporation Gas Department can be seen on right. Pictured in December 1941. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net
12. Wortley in the 1940s
This view from December 1945 looks north-west at the Air Raid Warden's post on Driver Street. Over the road, at number 82 Wellington Road, is Gallons Ltd, gowns (on the corner with Wallace Street). To the left is a building with a poster advertising Bile beans. | Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net