In 1914-18 and in 1941 we were saving our country, in more ways then one. Today we are urged to recycle rubbish to save the planet, but even back then we were urged to do the same. Everything was saved – paper, tins, glass jars and even bones, to larger objects such as iron railing. This article, taken from the Bromley & District Times in February 1941, raises some interesting points, including encouraging Britain to salvage these materials and to use the ‘raw’ materials in this country to produce goods,…
Category: News
Police Constable killed in air raid, 1941
Police-Constable Whitehead Poilice-constable Edgar John Whitehead, who was killed in an air-raid while on duty in the City on January 11th (1941), was the elder son of Mr and Mrs. J. Whitehead , 13 Holybrook Way, Bromley. Police-constable Whitehead, who was only 23 years of age, was educated at Bromley Common School, and later won a scholarship to the local Central School. On completing his education he was apprenticed to Me. Wade, the electrician, of High Street, Bromley, and two years ago joined the City of London Police. A…
Residential Areas Suffer, 1941
Night Raiders bring tragedy to families Some places attacked second time Daylight Air Battles: Ten Enemy Machines Down in One Fight Continuing their nightly raids on this country, German raiders have again dropped bombs on towns and villages in South-East England. Residential areas, far from military objectives, have suffered badly, many houses and cottages bring wrecked. The bombers have brought tragedy to several homes in the area, but it is remarkable how few fatal casualties there have been in view of the extent of the material damage. In daylight raids…
Marriage of Surrey Cricketer, 1941
Surrey Country Cricketer Weds Bride daughter of Bromley Town Cricketer Corporal J. F. Parker and Miss Kathleen M. Miller A Surrey County Cricketer was married to the daughter of a member of Bromley Town C.C. at St Mary’s, Shortlands on Saturday morning. Considerable interest was aroused by the event both in Bromley and Catford. The bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs J.A. Miller live at 25 Beadon Road, Bromley. For many years Mr. Miller has been a member of the Bromley Town Cricket Club, even for a longer period he has…
The Brothers Lee, 1941
Three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Lee. of 98 Bromley Common (Hook Farm) are serving in the forces. Private Cyril Lee (22), Oxford and Bucks Regiment was educated at Raglan Road School and afterwards employed as a porter at Bickley station, His is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Sapper Arthur J. Lee, R.E. (28) , was educated at Raglan Road School, and was employed by the London County Council before joining up. Gunner William Lee (30), A.A. Battery, received his education at Raglan Road School, and was afterwards…
Bromley Rescue Squad Members Honoured , 1941
A.R.P. Awards Members of Champion Rescue Squad Honoured Two members of a Bromley Rescue squad, Leader Cecil Edward Wright and Mr Albert Purless Harman, have been awarded the British Empire Medal for their part in extricating a man from a bombed house, the house received a direct hit from a high explosive bomb, and it was discovered that a man was buried beneath the wreckage. Mr Wright an Mr Harman had great difficulty in reaching him, and tunnelled for three houses during the night while the raid was still on,…
Billy Brown’s Guide to London Transport
Here is another fine example of the Billy Brown character, invented by cartoonist David Langdon OBE, giving advice on using public transport in London. Published in the Bromley & District Times, 27th December 1940 Billy Brown of London Town The safest travelling in town Is not too good for Billy Brown. He’s much too sensible and knowing To jump down off a bus that’s going. Especially in blackout house Or when the kerb is wet with showers On these occasions Billy B Goes by the slogan ‘Wait and See’. Printed…
Wedding Bells in Bromley, 1941
Mr. R. C. Collyer and Miss Phyllis E. Mildred Hopkins The Wedding of Reginald Clarence Collyer (Tank Corps) second son of Mr and Mrs T. Collyer, 27 Pope Road, Bromley, to Miss Phyllis E. Mildred Hopkins, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Hopkins, 32 Nichol Lane, Bromley, took place at St Mary’s Church, Plaistow, on Saturday, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. W. R. Crichton. The bride, who was given away by her father Lance-Corporal G. Hopkins, Queen’s West Surrey Regiment, wore a dress of white figured taffeta,…
Bombed Railway Line fixed within Hours!
During WW2 the railway system in Britain was used heavily, and so it was of vital importance to keep the lines running effectively. The four main railway companies’ managements joined together, effectively becoming one company; London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), Great Western Railway (GWR), London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Southern Railway (SR). The railways system suffered greatly from the bombing by German Luftwaffe, especially around cities such as London and Coventry. These ‘before’ and ‘after’ images show the efficiency of the British railway companies in fixing lines that…
Soldiers as “Can-Can” Dancers
Gunners of the Royal Artillery in South-east England, where they are running their own troupe of “can can dancers”