'The Report' by Jessica Francis Kane
March 2025 - 'The Report' by Jessica Francis Kane
Kane’s novel is a reimagining of the Bethnal Green subway disaster of 1943 which focuses on the creation of the official report into the tragedy. It is a complex, layered novel which generated strong feelings amongst our readers and led to some lengthy debate.
A multiplicity of narratives
Kane chooses to use the facts of the actual event, including real people, but stresses that the aftermath of the event as she presents it is entirely fictional. The incident itself, in which 173 people (including 62 children) died in a crush at the entrance to the shelter, is presented carefully. Kane shows us the event from different perspectives, her portrayal is measured and controlled. A multiplicity of narratives underlines the lack of a single cause.
Historical moments
Despite this care, some readers still felt uneasy at the fictionalisation of such an event. Some felt that the intermingling of fact and fiction is risky, undermining the reality of the event and of the narrative. Others questioned who had the right to tell such a story. We had a fascinating conversation about the ethics of historical fiction – why were readers uncomfortable about this narrative? Was it because it was within living memory? Or was it to do with the way the event was covered up at the time? Are some historical moments more appropriate to fictionalise than others?
Imaginative sympathy
Other readers felt that the lack of knowledge about the incident, information about which was supressed at the time, meant that Kane’s approach was particularly effective. She offers us imaginative sympathy with characters who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, bringing the incident to life in a way that a non-fiction narrative would struggle to do.
We particularly enjoyed the perceptive details of wartime that Kane evokes. In 1943 Londoners had been at war for a long time, and Kane shows us the threadbare nature of people’s homes and lives and the exhaustion they felt. She also effectively portrays the particular grief of families who were devastated by an event that took place during this time, but not because of the war and the complexities.
Archival sources and silences
It was a challenge to find archival material in our collections relating to this incident, and we explored some of the reasons why this was the case and how far fiction can fill gaps in the archival narrative.
There was no reference to the incident in the service register of St John Bethnal Green or in the minutes of the Parochial Church Council. We do not hold any parish magazines or parish administrative records that could give details. In addition, surprisingly there was no reference to it in the main minutes of the London County Council or in the Civil Defence and General Purposes Committee.
There was some coverage in the 'Illustrated London News' periodical (March 13, 1943) 67.0 ILN.
Also, within the Hull Daily News Collection (LMA/4547/01/001) are photographs of the Bethnal Green shelter. The shelter at Bethnal Green station was formed of the tunnels and stations of the Central line which hadn't yet been completed this far east. It included bunks for people in the shelter, a branch library (relocated from the bombed Bethnal Green library), a café, medical facilities and could accommodate 5000 people.
Later, there was a memorial service at St John, Bethnal Green in 1993 and we hold an order of service (P72/MTW/321).
Where would additional material be held?
The National Archives hold information relating to the Tube Shelter Inquiry and there would potentially be some other documentation within Home Office, Cabinet Office or War Office material held there.
Tower Hamlets Local Studies and Archives Centre hold records for the borough, including the records of the borough engineer and the local Air Raid Precautions Services.
A useful resource that discusses the incident, its cover up, the aftermath and the attempts to have a memorial installed is available to read on the Stairway to Heaven Memorial website.
Stairway to Heaven website