War Bonds – Britain’s Broadsides! Britain’s vast war effort calls for weapons of every calibre. National War Bonds are the heavy guns of our war finance. They provide the means by which private individuals, the Directors of business concerns, Executors and Trustees can help the Nation to victory. If you have £100 or more, buy National War Bonds. If you are a Director or Trustee, use your influence to sustain and increase the flow of investment. Buy National War Bonds Source: Bomley & District Times, 9th August 1940…
Category: News
Coney Hall Fete, August 1940
This article, which featured in the Bromley & District Times on 9th August 1940, shows the carefree nature of life in Britain during World War Two. Less than a month later the London area was targetted by the Germans and the Blitz began. Throughout the year that followed (October 1940 – June 1941) 133 bombs and 1 parachute mine dropped in the Hayes and Coney hall area alone. Two Days’ Merriment at Sparrows Den The Mayor (Alderman R.W. Jeffs) was willing, but the donkey jibbed, Mr Keenor, chief organiser, uses…
Prime Minister’s Message: August 1940
On Saturday 4th August 1940 the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, issued a statement via 10 Downing Street wishing it to be known that the ‘possibility of German attempts at invasion has been no means passed away” This report appeared in the local newspaper the following week. Possibility of Attempts at Invasion CONSTANT VIGILANCE ENJOINED Our growing strength and preparedness The following statement was issued from 10, Downing Street, on Saturday: – “The Prime Minister wishes it to be known that the possibility of German attempts at invasion has by…
Troop Entertainers wanted
The Bromley T.W.E.R.P.S. Concert Party was an amatuer group set up for the purpose of entertaining service personnel and giving public concerts to raise money for various wartime needs. The group performed at various locations including airfields, gun sites, the Woolwich Garrison Theatre and to the cadets at HMS Worcester – a training college for the Merchant Navy. This article featured in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on 9th August 1940. T.W.E.R.P.S. want recruits Bromley T.W.E.R.P.S. Concert Party have shortened their name somewhat to T.W.E.R.P.S. Varieties as being more representative of…
Recycling at its best
Recycling and re-using was a huge part of life during World War II, we could certainly learn a lot from back them. One particular drive the government pushed through was the salvaging of metals, especially aluminium, which could be used for their potential in the aircraft industry. This is a typical sacrifice that many people are making in town In some towns around the country you may even notice where old iron railings once stood. These were removed for the same purpose. This article featured in the Bromley & District…
Typical Local News Reports from WW2
Here we show a typical page from a local newspaper which, like so many others, had several reports of men missing or killed or prisoners of war. The page from the Bromley & District Times reports on an Air Attack on Dover Harbour, a gift from the Deputy Commissioner of Kent of a mobile canteen for those whose homes are destroyed, the Roll of Honour for the Queen’s Own West Kent Regiment and an obituary for a soldier from Bromley (in this case Pilot Officer John Allen). Source: Bromley &…
Hero Honoured with Award from King
We watch Dad’s Army and see the Chief ARP Warden Hodges bickering with Captain Mainwaring. We can still enjoy the light-hearted humour of the shows. The characters are just figures of fun. Let’s put the record straight: this story is one of many when we learn what the A.R.P. Wardens really did to win their honours, with incredible bravery and disregard for their own safety; just their sense of duty and care to those trapped in their homes during the blitz. Kent A.R.P Warden Honoured Remained Four Hours in Collasping House The King…
Our Service Families
Wartime was be a huge sacrifice to families with sons going off to war; wives left without husbands; fearing they will never return. The Blade family from Bromley, was no exception and they were very proud of the fact. They had 2 sons on active service, with their youngest awaiting his call up with the Royal Navy. they also had two son-in-laws on active services, both of whom has recently married into the family. Reported in the Bromley & Kentish Times on 26th July 1940 (page 5) Our Service Families The…
Saving for the War Campaign
The National Savings Movement was a mass savings movement that operated in Britain between 1916 and 1978. It was used to finance the deficit of government spending over tax revenues. The movement provided an easy and safe way for ordinary people to save small sums of money, and was particularly active during wartime, when government spending was at its highest. During World War II it was instrumental in raising funds to support the war effort – a War Savings Campaign was set up by the War Office to support the war…
Ramble with a Thrill
Ramble with a Thrill “Bomber Came Out of the Clouds” A lady who was walking with a friend in a park towards a village in Kent described her experiences to the Kentish Times. “A German bomber came out of the clouds. Immediately after anti-aircraft guns went into action, and we walked under the trees until we got to the main road. We decided to make for the village public-house, and order our lunch of shandy and bread and cheese – shandy is better than shrapnel and beer better than bombs! While we were seated…