Commuting in 1942 Trains were by far the main mode of travel for any distance in Britain during World War Two, and even more so for commuters travelling into, and out of, London from the suburbs of Bromley and Kent. Between 1923 and 1947 the railways were run by the four largest railway companies in the United Kingdom, known as the “Big Four”. The name had been coined by The Railway Magazine in its issue: “The Big Four of the New Railway Era” (February 1923) The ‘Big Four’ consisted of:…
Month: March 2021
Prisoners of War: 1942
Prisoners of War Do you know anyone here?These are men of the Royal West Kent Regiment who are prisoners of war in Germany. Second from the right in the back row is a Farnborough boy, Private R.T. Clarkson, son of Mrs Clarkson, 81 Hugh Street, Farnborough. Source:Bromley & District Times, 23rd January 1942 (page 5) Also see:In a German Prison Camp: Oct 1941Officers of the Royal West Kent Regiment: 1940Is your Boy here? Oct 1941
Queen’s Message to Nurses: 1942
West Kent Hospital Board Lieut.-Colonel G.A. Fulcher, OBE presided at the meeting of the West Kent Joint Hospital Board, which was held at Barnfield, Blyth Road, Bromley on Friday afternoon. He was supported by the Vice-chairman, Mr A.L. Priest, J.P. Queen’s Message A copy of the message of the Queen to the nurses of Britain, signed Elizabeth R., sent to the board from the nurses of the West Kent Hospital was read by the secretary, Mr. Arthur B. Coomber. It was as follows: “My thoughts go out to the women,…
Paper Salvage Competition: 1942
Following on from Bromley’s waste salvage drive in September 1941, a competition was set up to encourage more salvage of paper from the people of Bromley and the surrounding areas. It appeal to both homes and workplaces, as well as clubs, schools, hospitals and shops to search everywhere, for what means of paper waste they could find. This advert appears in the Bromley Times in January 1942. First Prize £500 Will you help Bromley to win it? £500 will be given to National National and Local Charities, if, for the…
Training of Uncertificated Nurses
Orpington Institution and emergency Hospital, Orpington, Kent Training of Uncertificated Nurses The county Council invites applications from persons desirous of training as Assistant Nurses at the Orpington Institution. Previous nursing experience not essential, and successful candidates will undergo two years training in chronic nursing. Salary £50 a year first year, £55 second year, together with the usual residential emoluments. Candidates passing examination successfully at the end of the two years will be eligible for appointment in the county service as Assistant Nurses as salaries of £60 per year, rising by…
Lieutenant Kenneth J. Amos
Lieut. K.J. Amos Awarded MBE (Military Divsion) Lieutenant (temporary captain) Kenneth John Amos, Royal Corps of Signals, is among those whose names appear in the New Year Honours list with the award of M.B.E. (Military Division) for their sterling work. Lieut. Amos is the only son of Mr and Mrs J.H. Amos of 86 Tweedy Road, Bromley. He was educated at St. Olave’s Grammar School, London where he distinguished himself in the studies of languages. He also had an aptitude for technical and engineering subjects, and on leaving school he…
Bringing in the New Year: 1942
The White Hart Hotel, which once stood in the heart of Bromley High Street, was a large premises which hosted a number of events in its heyday. In 1941, the RAF (Bromley branch) hosted a New Years eve dance, which included two tableaux represent the old and new years. The Bromley Times reported on the event in early January 1942. New Year Tableaux The Bromley branch of the Comrades of the Royal Air Force held a very enjoyable dance on New Year’s Eve at the White Hart Hotel, Bromley. A…
The Foxwell Brothers
In this article we focus on the Foxwell family, who resided in the Keston area of Bromley during the second world war years. Their father, George Foxwell was well known in the area, having had connections with many local clubs including Keston Men’s Club, Keston Football Club and Keston Cricket Club. George had served in the first war world with the Motor Transport and the Tank Corps, and his three sons; Leslie, Edward and Kenneth, all followed suit and served with the RAF during World War Two. The article below…
Further Education Courses during 1942
The country may have been at war, but that didn’t stop Kent Education Committee from running Further Education courses in 1942. This advert appeared in the Bromley & District Times in January 1942 advertising to the districts of Bromley, Beckenham and Penge. The courses and classes they ran comprised of Building, Engineering and Commercial subjects in preparation for National Certificates Courses for Air Training Corps, for both Bromley (no. 228) and Beckenham (no. 386) Recreative Classes in Physical Training and Dancing, Music and drama etc. Art and Craft Classes Source:…
Lance Corporal Ernest A. Palin
Family Memories of a war hero After the war Ernest returned to his family and he went to work on the chicken farm at Biggins Hill delivering eggs. He then went to Southlands coaches in Bromley as a coach driver. His youngest son was born in 1947. He stayed at Southlands for a number of years. When the firm closed he went to work for the MOD as a security guard at a weapons testing centre at Pole Hill. Once he left here he formed his own business called ‘Palins…