Being a Conscientious Objector during WW2 The National Service (Armed Forces) Act 1939 was enacted by UK Parliament on 3rd September 1939, the day the United Kingdom declared war on Germany at the start of the Second World War. It replaced the Military Training Act 1939 (which has been passed in May of that year) and enforced full conscription on all males between 18 and 41 who were UK residents. With a few exceptions, including Conscientious Objectors. When the Second World War broke out, there were nearly 60,000 registered Conscientious…
Category: News
Sergeant-Pilot Harold Ian Maxwell
We have with regret to record the death on active service of Sergeant-Pilot Harold Ian Maxwell, R.A.F., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Maxwell, formerly of Firgarth, Edward Road, Bromley, and now of Newlands, Plaistow Lane. Friends and neighbours unite in offering heartfelt sympathy to them. Mr. Harold Maxwell was born at The Avenue, Grove Park and educated at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate. In business he was first of Sweet and Maxwell, law publishers, Chancery Lane, London. During the Munich crisis of 1938 he joined the R.A.F. as…
Schools prepared for Air Raids
Air Raid Shelters Keston School Prepared When the scholars at Keston Church Schools return from their Easter vacation on April 1, the new air raid shelter built on the Common opposite the school will be ready for use. The shelter is a workmanlike job with accomodation for upwards of 100 senior scholars. There are emergency exits at the end of each passage, and entrance is made by a flight of steps which decend to thejunction of two passageways. In addition to seats and necessary air-lock and gas preventative…
New Hitler Proclamation!
This article is not what you think. It appeared in the Bromley & Kentish Times newspaper in March 1941 NEW HITLER PROCLAMATION News comes from Germany that Hitler is about to proclaim himself King of England. If this claim is to be accepted seriously, some apology is due to unfortunates who have been from time to time proclaimed themselves Henry the Eighth, Nero – or a Poached Egg – and have been placed under restraint when their tendencies have been towards violence. The Hitler clique will “Heil” the proclamation…
Biggin Hill helps support Orpington’s War Weapons Week
War Weapons Week Biggin Hill is making a strenuous effort to support Orpington War Weapons Week, March 22 – 29. The local War Savings Committee, under the direction of Mr F. W. Buck, the secretary, have taken a shop on the Main Road, which will be open during the week for the sale of Saving Stamps and Certificates. It is hoped that all will – Help to foot the Nation’s Bill By putting something in the till. A special effort, under the direction of Mrs Osgood, is being made to…
Orpington Passes their £100,000 War Weapons Week aim
Great Enthusiasm in town and villages Crowds watch mile-long parade of military and civil bodies Orpington District War Weapons Week, which was inaugurated on Saturday, and will be closed tomorrow (Saturday) evening has exceeded all expectations. The total amount invested up to Wednesday evening in Savings certificates, bonds, stamps, and deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank was £104,000 The aim of the organisers was to raise £100,000. Residents in the villages and in Central Orpington have showed their patriotism by the magnificent response. Village post-offices received amounts ranging from…
Who was Sir Tiffy Cate?
In 1941 a strange figure (or figures) were roaming around towns and cities across the country under the guise of “Sir Tiffy Cate”, but who was this mystery man? In fact the answer is not sinister in the least, though perhaps less likely to happen in these modern days, but it was a sort of games set up as part of the country’s War Weapon weeks, where towns and districts raise vital funds for the war effort through National saving Certificates and Stamps. One such event organised was for a…
Orpington’s War Weapons Week – 1941
March 22-29 £100,000 is the Aim Attractive Programme being arranged The majority of the committees which will be responsible for organising the Orpington District War Weapons Week have now been formed and are busily engaged in their preparations. The aim is to raise £100,000, and every village and organisation in the urban district will be invited to help in the effort. In Central Orpington there will be large indicators which will record the investments each day. Smaller indicators will be erected in the villages. All will be adorned by a…
War Weapons Week Rivalry – 1941
On the first day of Bromley’s War Weapons week, the borough had raised an impressive £202,434 towards the fund, and by the following Saturday they had doubled their figure. However, not wanting to be outdone, their close neighbours, Beckenham, managed to surpass this figure mid-week! These figures appeared in the Kentish Times on Friday 28th 1941. The final score for the weeks were Beckenham £460,968 15s and Bromley £440,730. Making that a total for the Constituency of £1,944,698 in just two weeks! Orpington was aiming for £100,000 when they held…
War Weapons Rivalry – Who will win?
Will Beckenham Beat Bromley? The friendly rivalry between the neighbouring towns of Bromley and Beckenham will be seen in a new light during the coming weeks when Beckenham will endeavour to emulate Bromley’s fine War Weapons Week total. An attractive programme of events has been prepared for the week and below we give a summary. Saturday: Processions will converge on the Town Hall for a ___ parade at 1:45 pm, and the Mayor of Beckenham (Councillor W.J. Sampson) will declare the week open at 2 pm. At 2:15 pm the…