Some excitement was caused on Saturday afternoon last, when a Naval balloon with one occupant made a descent in a field at Woollett Hall Farm, North Cray. The pilot found many willing hands, and the balloon was soon packed up and taken to Bexley Station. Unfortunately this little item does not describe the balloon. However, this rounded British observation balloon from 1908, was typical of pre-WWI observation balloons. Extract from the Bromley & District Times, 21st September 1917, pg 5 A different type of air balloon…
Year: 2017
Sainsbury’s Fashion, 1917
Yes, it is Sainsbury’s. When I started reading these newspapers I was surprised to see that at that time, Sainsbury’s was not a food store but sold clothes and linen and other such items. If you read the Sainsbury’s website, it seems that Sainsbury’s was founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury and his wife Mary Ann, who set up a small store selling milk with scrupulous care of hygiene and quality of food. The link below is quite interesting. Sainsburys Humble Beginnings 1869-1900 Perhaps there was more than…
‘It is nice, Mother!’
That is what the children say when their Cuts, Scrapes and Bruises are dressed with Zam-Buk. They have that soon-get-better feeling at once, because Zam-Buk banishes pain and stops the broken flesh from getting inflames. Mother, too, knows she is doing the right thing in using Zam Buk. Zam-Buk is so pure and refined and so completely medicinal that it cannot fail to be beneficial. A mother’s worry is ended when she rubs Zam-Buk over her child’s grazed knee because Zam-Buk make sure that the would will not take bad…
Care of candles and lamps
To the country resident the problem of lighting the house is always more or less a vexed one. Candles for general use are artistic, while lamps for sewing, reading, and cooking are absolutely necessary. There are ways of economising in burning candles. Long candles are more economical than short ones, as the small piece that goes into the stick is only wasted once. A truly economical woman can make candles from small the pieces that are left by melting the tallow or wax, picking out the pieces of wick, and…
Safety First
At first I thought this was an overcrowded escalator, but you can see it is an open-topped bus. It seems strange that the public needed to be informed of the safest way to ride on the buses. Passengers should keep their arms inside the rail or passing objects may strike them, as the lady above will know to her cost. Advert taken from the Bromley & District Times in July 1918.
Corporal C. Smart
Served with the Honourable Artillery Company. He was the son of Frederick Smart of Thornhayes, London Lane, Bromley. His brother Geoffrey Smart also served in the Honourable Artillery Company Before taking up service, Claude was an artist by profession and studied at the Carlton Studios. He had won two King’s prizes in one year. The Honourable Artillery Company was sent to France at the end of Sept after review by the King on 25th Sept. He was on night duty taking a dispatch to a village 4 miles from…
Fashions of January 1917
Winter Fashions from 1917 Medhurst’s Winter Sale At no other sale in the kingdom can you buy Royal Worcester Kidfitting Corsets at Lower Prices than at Medhurst’s Winter Sale Aren’t you glad you do not have to wear garments such as these today? But you get a good idea of why ladies of the time tended to have a fairly gentle sedentary life. No jogging or marathons possible in these clothes! Source:Bromley & District Times, 5th January 1917, pg 5
Robert Edward Mockridge
Robert Edward Mockridge was the son of Thomas Edward and Elizabeth Mockridge of Shortlands, and married Grace Kezia Mockridge of Waldo Road, Bromley. At the time of the 1911 Census, Robert Mockridge (aged 31) was listed as a milk roundsman, and was living with Grace (the aged 24) and their 3 year old son Robert. Clearly more children followed prior to the first world war starting. Robert was killed in action in September 1918 and was buried at Gomiecourt South Cemetery, Gomiecourt, Department du Pas-de-Calais. The following report of his…
“Dominion Day” at Orpington
Ontario Military Hospital Carnival It was “Dominion Day” at Orpington on the 1st inst., and a successful and largely attended sports carnival was held at the Ontario Military Hospital. There were probably more than 3, 000 persons present on the charming sports field above the hospital, situated in the very centre of a delightfully wooded and hilly country. While monoplanes and biplanes droned overhead, the sports programme was carried through with every evidence of pleasure to the many patients and other spectators who thronged the ground. It was a touching…
Italian Recipes for Meatless Days
By 1917, certain foods were in short supply, especially meat, wheat for bread, butter and sugar. Here is a recipe that appeared in January. I liked the elegant suggestions about serving the Gnocchi alla Romana. Definitely for the middle-class housewife who maybe has lost her live-in cook! Risotto in Bianco Half a pound of rice, washed and dried; two pints of broth; two ounces of butter (or less if preferred); two tablespoons of grated cheese. Bring the broth to boil, then throw in the rice; boil until the broth is…