Quisling – a traitor who collaborates with an enemy force occupying their country. The term ‘quisling’ originated in Norway in 1933. Vidkun Quisling was a Norwegian military officer and politician who nominally headed the government of Norway during the occupation of the country by Nazi Germany during World War 2. He was put on trial in Norway charged with embezzlement, murder and high treason against the Norwegian. He was sentenced to death and killed by firing squad on 24th October, 1945 Source:Article appeared in the Bromley & Kentish Times, March…
Category: News
What do I do? – Ministry of Information Advice
The Ministry of Information (MOI), was a central government department created briefly at the end of the first world war, and again on the 4th September 1939, the day after Britain’s declaration of war, with the first Minister sworn into Office on 5 September 1939. The Ministry’s function was “To promote the national case to the public at home and abroad in time of war” by issuing “National Propaganda” and controlling news and information Initially it was responsible for censorship, issuing official news, home publicity and overseas publicity in Allied and neutral…
The Wedding of Rodney Russell and Nancy Tapper
The second world war saw a sudden increase in weddings, mostly likely due to the uncertainty of what lay ahead and for those anxious to formalise their relationship. There was also, no doubt, a need for hope and joy, so these men and women overcame a variety of obstacles including bombs and rationing with ingenuity to make their way to the altar. The marriage of Sub-Lieutenant Russel and Miss Tapper took place in March 1941, and was described as a quiet wedding “befitting war-time.” More examples of wonderful War Time…
The Browns of Bromley
This edition of Service Families which was published in the Bromley & District Times during World War Two featured the Browns of Bromley – Three brothers; Charles Thomas, Leonard Frederick and Stanley George. Our Service Families Three sons of Mr C.H. Brown, 23 Bromley Crescent, Bromley, who served himself in the last war, are now serving with H.M. Forces. The eldest, Charles Thomas is a first class Aircraftman in the R.A.F. Aged 24, he attended Beckenham Junior Art School, and on leaving became a colour engraving apprentice at Grout and…
Women’s Land Army
Between June 1939 and November 1950, over 200,000 women were employed by the Women’s Land Army; an army of women, known as Land Girls, who replaced farm workers who had gone off to war. These women came from all walks of life, and despite having little to no experience of agriculture, they ploughed, drove tractors, grew produce, milked cows and much more, to help with the critical need to increase food production around the country. The Women’s Land Army started to publish a monthly magazine called ‘The Land Girl’, with…
Coincidence of the timely message carved on Pumpkin
Famous K.C. And Pumpkin Coincidence Both Broadcast Same Message The unusual hobby of Mr. Sheridan Wood, of The Mount, Farningham, of growing giant pumpkins, upon which he inscribes timely messages, has had an interesting sequel this year. On Sunday evening some few months ago, Mr Norman Birkett, K.C., concluded a broadcast appeal on behalf of the Lord Mayor of London’s fund for Londoners whose homes had been destroyed by bombs with the following words:- “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do,…
Travel Advert: Grey-Green Coach
Grey-Green was a bus and coach operator based in Stamford Hill and operated in London and the East of England. The company was trace its origins back over a century to the foundation of George Ewer’s horse carriage business in 1885. The business prospered, and summer-only services operated to many South Coast resorts. Before the end of the 1920s, East Anglia was well covered too. The first service to operate throughout the year was a London to Ipswich service that commenced in June 1928. The 1930s started with the introduction…
Shelters Under Water – Orpington Urban Council
Protection of civilians in the event of an enemy attack was an important issue to the Government during World War Two. In 1938 the Anderson Shelter, named after Sir John Anderson, Home Secretary during the Battle of Britain was designed. It was designed for use in the garden, and when covered with earth the shelter would give some protection from shell fragments and bomber splinters, although dampness was an ever present problem. These shelters was designed to accommodate up to six people, and were supplied by the government for free…
Police Sergeant David Lionel Grigg honoured
On the evening of the 9th November 1940 at 19:00hrs the sirens began to ring out over Bromley due to enemy aircraft having been spotted flying towards the area. Half an hour later disaster stuck. En route to Central London a Heinkel He 111 was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The damage was so severe that the bomber began to break up in the air, with one wing landing in the rear garden of 45 Cranmore Road in West Chislehurst. With his plane out of control, the pilot bailed out, shortly…
End of a Giant: Death of the North Tower
On the 30th November 1936 a catastrophic fire took hold at the World famous Crystal Palace. Within hours, the Palace was destroyed. All that was left standing after were the two water towers. Their final fate came at the beginning of World War 2 amidst fears that they would serve as landmarks for German bombers on their way to bomb Central London. The South Tower was taken down first; dismantled due to its close proximity to houses and shops, but the North Tower was demolished with explosions on the 16th…