Mr H.G. Milstead

Whilst working for the Standard Bank in Mombasa, Mr H.G. Milstead became the South Africa correspondent for the Bromley & District Times. Mr H.G. Milstead was the only son of Mr & Mrs H.H. Milstead of Hawes Road Bromley. He married Miss Doris May Bagnall, 2nd daughter of Mr & Mrs Bagnall of Cape Town, at St Mark’s Church, Parklands. Before going to South Africa he held a post in the London City & Midland Bank. After passing the examinations in April 1912, he was sent to Johannesburg.   After being promoted…

Food Facts, September 1940

Handy Tips from the Ministry of Food, 1940 This regular feature from the Ministry of Food appeared in the Bromley & District Times on20th September 1940 (page 6).  This follows on from the advice given in the August 1940 food facts. This Week’s Food Facts Most of us are going through a rather tough time.  Now, more than ever, proper food is vital to our health.  Don’t think that odd snacks during the day will sustain you.  One full meal will do you twice as much good.  Eat fresh food. See that your…

Private Ernest W. Brigden

Private Ernest W. Brigden was serving with the Worcestershire Regiment when he was killed action in November 1914, aged 22. His family had lived in the Crays (Bromley) for some years and then Swanley for 6 years.   Information sourced from the Bromley & District Times 1914-1920 Researched using the FREE database at www.militaryancestors.co.uk

Harry Ludlow, Seaman

Harry Ludlow was one of three brother serving in the First World War.  He served for the Royal Navy onboard HMS Duncan (c.1914) and then HMS Landrail. He was also an old Boy of Raglan Road School, Bromley Information sourced from the Bromley & District Times 1914-1920 Researched using the FREE database at www.militaryancestors.co.uk

Air Raid Damage: SE London and Kent

Some pictures of the damaged caused by bombing one weekend in SE London and Kent. Most people were in their shelters, and in one case five people escaped injury when their house collapsed on top of them.  They were under the stairs. Workmen were soon at work in another area filling up a huge bomb crater in the road.  Several Council houses were damaged in a village, but the Anderson shelters once more proved their value, and there were no causalities. Reported in the Bromley & District Times, September 1940

The Hardest Day – WW2 Air Battle

The Bromley & District Times published this photograph of a German plane which had been brought down close to Biggin Hill airfield during a fierce air battle between the German Luftwaffe and British Royal Air Force (RAF) on Sunday 18th August 1940. The Luftwaffe had chosen this particular day to make an all-out effort to destroy RAF Fighter Command. The air battles that took place on the 18th August were amongst the largest aerial engagements in history to that time, with both sides suffering heavy losses. In the air, the British shot…

Guardsman James Williams

James Williams was the son of Mr & Mrs Frank Williams of 4 Lily Cottages Swanley, Kent, and brother to Mr W Williams who was assistant steward of Swanley Junction Working Men’s Club and Institute. His father had served 21 years in the British Army, for some years with the Grenadier Guards and served through the Egyptian campaign in 1882. As an Army Reservist he went to Canada between 1910-11.  He married Miss Emma Brittain (formally Williams), of Swanley in 1912 in Canada, where they moved to Ontario. James had…