Some time since we reported that no news had been received since Christmas, 1914, of Lance-Corporal Albert Bailey, son of Mr Bailey of Pound Place, Eltham. Although from his long silence the worst was feared, hope was not entirely given up, and his brother in Roper Street, Eltham, addressed inquiries to the German authorities, in the hope that he was a prisoner. the only reply has now come back that nothing is known of him in Germany, and it is not to be concluded that he was killed. Lance-Corporal Bailey,…
Year: 2022
Tune in to hear Pam Preedy on BBC Radio Kent
Pam Preedy joined BBC Radio Kent to talk about her new book and the inspiration behind it. Pam gave listeners an insight into how her Military Ancestors project, which lists over 50,000 references to soldiers who featured in the Bromley & District Times newspaper during the war years (1914 – 1945) inspired her to write her book, ‘Living Through the Great War at Home’. Follow link below to listen to Pam (fast forward to 1:39:00) Broadcast live on Monday 7th February at 7.40pm to BBC Radio Kent (96.7 FM).
Nash Paper Mill Strike
The Nash Paper Mill Strike Written by Pam Preedy. The decade leading up to the First World War was a time of labour unrest, often referred to as ‘The Great Unrest.’ 1914 was a particular bad year with increasing industrial action and Orpington was not exempt from trouble. In 1914, the workers of the Nash Paper Mill at At Paul’s Cray went on strike over pay and union membership. Pay in the Nash works was low for everyone: the highest paid was Robert Marsden, Head Papermaker and actual Manager of…
Exploring Canada Corner
Exploring Canada Corner Written by Pam Preedy. “If I should die, think only this of me That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is Forever England Rupert Brooke “The Soldier”, 1914 If you take a walk up Church Street to All Saints Church and its graveyard, you’ll find Canada Corner which adjoins the church and is also on the opposite side of the road. In 1912, the old graveyard was becoming too small and an extension was needed. A field, the last field suitable for such a purpose,…
Calling all Murrays!
Are you a descendant of Lesley Cairns Murray? Calling all Murrays! Biggin Hill Memorial Museum is launching a new project to encourage girls to take science and technology courses and is aiming to track down any descendants of a lady called Lesley Cairns Murray (1917-1945). Lesley was educated in Bromley and the Sorbonne in France and, in the early years of the war, she drove ambulances in the Compiegne region of France, dodging the bombs. When the ambulances were evacuated back to England, she joined the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA).…
A Look Back at Orpington Hospital
A Look Back at Orpington Hospital Written by Pam Preedy. The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 saw men from all over Britain and the Commonwealth rush to the fight; some ‘on reserve’ re-joined their old regiments and battalions, other joined queues to volunteer, anxious not to miss out as it would ‘be over by Christmas.’ They came from far and wide, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Many, having served their time in the regular army, had migrated to try their hand at farming – looking for…