This extract was taken from the local newspapers, I do believe this gentleman received the George Medal for bravery. If anyone has any details on this, then please do contact me with details. Mr Field, of 14 Greenway, Bromley familiarly known as “Sonny” is Deputy Superintendent under the Bromley Corporation, and leader of an A.R.P. rescue party. He has many friends, and is very popular in the town. Mr Field has had a distinguished career in many branches of sport. After serving for a number of years in the Navy,…
Category: Extracts
Hot Water! What’s the Idea?
Keeping the soldiers going! This advert for OXO featured in the Bromley & District Times in February 1941, to no doubt encourage families to send stocks to the soldiers on the front line. Read more about the history of OXO in my previous blog >> How OXO Helped Strengthen the Home Front Source: Bromley & District Times, 21st February 1941, page 3
Wedding – Mr F.R. Burr and Miss H.M. Rigby
The wedding took place at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Hayes, on Saturday, between Mr Frederick R. Burr, third son of Mrs Burr and the late Mr W. Burr of 19 Howard Road, Bromley and Miss H.M. (“Molly”) Rigby, only daughter of Mr and Mrs J. W. Rigby of 64 Hayes Street, Hayes The Rector of Hayes, and Rev. E.L.L. McClinstock, officiated, and the service was ____. The organist, Mr Cecil Lyes, played appropriate music, including the Bridal March from “Lohengrin” (Wagner) and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. …
Our History in Salvaging and Recycling
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,…
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,…
Pet Food Adverts, 1941
In the Summer of 1939, before the outbreak of war, the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed. This committee produced a pamphlet giving advice to pet owners stating: “If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency.” It concluded by saying: “If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed.” This advice was printed in almost every local newspapers across the country, and was confirmed in a BBC broadcast…