Gunner Harry Garcia

Old Bromley Scouter Broadcasts An exciting story Harry Garcia, a gunner of a Coastal Command Lockheed Hudson, whose home is at 239 Southlands Road, Bromley, told an exciting story on the radio recently. The pilot of the aircraft also gave an account of the incident when the plane, flying over the sea near the Norwegian coast, encountered three enemy ships.  They dropped their bombs but their plane was damaged by anti-aircraft fire.  After nearly crashing they set a course for home, but Garcia reported that the wireless operator was wounded. …

Scrap Metal

Ever Wondered What Happened to the Metal Collected during World War Two? Scrap Metal What happens to the scrap metal you have collected in your effort to assist the nation-wide drive?  the latest Ministry of Information film, “Arms from Scrap,” answers this question.  And a very dramatic answer it is. The film begins with some remarkable scenes of air raid damage and shows you how large quantities of metal from wrecked buildings are being carefully collected.  This metal will be made into guns and tanks and bombs.  The dump is…

Wedding of Dr. Doobie & Miss Schooling

Dr David N. Dobbie and Miss H.E.M. Schooling Interest was aroused in Bromley on Saturday by the Wedding at St Mary’s Church, College Road, of Dr. David Noble Dobbie, of this town (now Captain, R.A.M.C.), son of Mr and Mrs David Dobbie, of Edinburgh, to Miss Hazel Eva Margaret Schooling, daughter of Councillor and Mrs Lionel Schooling, of Rosewood, Bromley, and granddaughter of the later Mr and Mrs F. Schooling of Holly Dene, Beckenham Lane. The bride’s parents are among the best known residents of Bromley, and she herself is…

Wedding Anniversary: Gunton

Former Mayor and Mayoress of Bromley Celebrate golden Wedding Anniversary Mr and Mrs C.H. Gunton Honoured residents of Bromley who were Mayor and Mayoress in 1934-35, Mr and Mrs Charles H. Gunton, of Kingsbury, London Lane, are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on Tuesday. Source: Bromley & District Times, 13th February 1942 (page 5)

Sunlight Flakes: Advert

Happy Thoughts of Sunlight What fun it was! The cheerful buzz of holiday folk enjoying themselves.  The surf breaking gently on the sand.  And the lovely ripe banana you bought for  a penny!  Yes, and there’ll be more good times in the sunlight when these days of war are past. So when you find it difficult to get Sunlight Flakes, remember that war conditions are the cause.  It can’t be helped, although we regret that you have to go without Sunlight Flakes sometimes,  But they’re worth looking and waiting for.…

A/F/L Gillian Lorne Campbell

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Acting Flight Lieutenant Gillian Lorne Campbell, R.A.F.V.T. Acting Flight Lieutenant Gillian Lorne Campbell, R.A.F.V.T., 272 Squadron, son of Sir Edward Campbell, M.P. and Lady Campbell, of Ambleside,  Westmoreland Road, Bromley has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flight Lieutenant Campbell has completed many hours operational flying, involving patrols over Norway, France, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.  He has destroyed at least two hostile aircraft and probably destroyed others on the ground, in low level attacks on enemy bases. Throughout Lieutenant Campbell has set an…

Beckenham’s Own War Ship

Make this Beckenham’s Own Destroyer Sikh’s Glorious Record Beckenham’s Warship Week starts on Saturday February 21st [1942].  This aim is to raise £350,000 in gifts and savings,  by hitting this target Beckenham will raise the money to adopt a Tribal Class Destroyer, and will be permitted to adopt H.M.S. Sikh.  Other towns of like size have shown that the money can be raised. It is up to every man, woman and child in Beckenham to make this week of February 21028 a resounding success, the symbol of which will be…

Rector of West Wickham Leaving: 1942

Rev. Charles A. S. Page was the Rector of West Wickham for nearly 12 years, before he moved onto Hawkinge near Folkstone.  When he moved had been recently widowed, and his only son Squadron Leader Harry Charles Shaw Page, had been reported as missing (this report was mentioned earlier in the same newspaper, page 5) Rector Leaving Rev. C.A.S. Page Coing to Hawkinge Speech at Church Meeting The Rev. C.A.S. Page, D.S.O., M.C., Rector of West Wickham for nearly 12 years, has accepted the offer of the living of Hawkinge,…

Squadron Leader Henry Charles Shaw Page

Henry Charles Shaw Page (known as Harry) was the only son of West Wickham Rector Charles Alexander Shaw Page and Beatrice Ellen Page, ; and husband to Nancy Mary Heather Page, of Retford, Nottinghamshire. Having served in the Middlesex Regiment, he later joined Squadron 61 of the RAF. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1941 for his part in numerous raids over Germany and was promoted to Squadron Leader that same year. Sadly after being reported as missing, he was later found to have died on 31st January 1942,…