Blackouts proved one of the more unpleasant aspects of the war, as they often disrupted many civilian activities and caused widespread grumbling and lower morale amongst the population. Blackout regulations were imposed on 1 September 1939, before the declaration of war. The regulations required that all windows and doors should be covered at night with suitable material such as heavy curtains, cardboard or paint, to prevent the escape of any glimmer of light that might help enemy aircraft spot a target. Shops, factories and churches had particular problems with black…
Category: Extracts
Gunner Alfred Haffenden
Alfred Haffenden was the son of George Haffenden, of Eastbourne, and husband to Mrs E. A. Haffenden, of 10 Albert Road, Bromley with which he had one son (born 1904). Haffenden had left the Army, but had re-joined on 7th September 1914 serving with the 4th Depot, Royal Field Artillery. He was wounded whilst serving in France and died of his wounds on 22nd October 1914. He was commemorated at a memorial service at Bromley Parish Church in July 1915, and his name appears on the Bromley War Memorial. Source:Bromley…
Downham Gunner Shoots Down Raider
Decorated for Cool Bravery For his action in staying at his battery post when it was attacked by enemy air craft, and for shooting down one of the raiders, Gunner Stanley Alfred Joseph Martin, whose home is at Glenbow Road, Downham, has been awarded the Military Medal. Aged 19, Gunner Martin was born at Southwark, and came to Downham with his parents 14 years ago. Before the war he was employed on the office staff of the “Illustrated London News,” and was also a member of the Territorial Army. He…
Bromley’s Post Bag 35% below normal during Christmas 1940
We had a comfortable Christmas, everything worked smoothly and well” said Mr H.J. Sibley, head postmaster of Bromley to a Kentish Times representative. People had been asked to post earlier than in peace-time and earlier in the day. In their readiness to comply with this request, it was a tremendous help to all departments of the postal service. “We did not get the violent peaks as in former years, The Christmas rush was spread over a longer period” said Mr Sibley. The busiest day on the postage side (mail going…
Getting a Good Night’s Rest in the Public Shelter
During early 1941 Britain was still in the midst of the Blitz, with no idea how long it was going to last. The Ministry of Home Security issue a number of adverts in local and national newspapers to help prepare people, and provide useful advice like how to get a “Good Night’s rest in a Public Shelter” during an air raid. Before, During and After the Raid A Good Night’s Rest in the Public Shelter – and the help that is ready for you if your home is hit In public shelters…
Invitation to the Dance
Cadets of the HMS Worcester at their evacuation home, invited girls of the A.T.S. to their dance at end of term The HMS Worcester (1860), was formerly HMS Frederick William, and served between 1876 and 1948, and was an 86-gun screw-propelled first-rate ship of the line in the Royal Navy. On 19 October 1876 she was renamed as Worcester, to take on a new role as a training ship at Greenhithe for the Thames Nautical Training College. She fulfilled this role until her sale in July 1948. She foundered in the River Thames on 30 August 1948,…
The realities of life during a WW2 air raid
Reports in local newspaper gave a harrowing account of what life was like during the height of the air raids attacks by the German during the Battle of Britain. Whilst it became the norm to take shelter whilst a battle took place high in the sky above, imagine what it must of felt like not knowing what horrors lie outside. Stories of both immense tragedy and sheer heroism filled the newspapers. This example was published in the local newspaper in October 1940. Four Killed in Shelter Woman Buried, but Rescued…
Billy Brown’s Own Highway Code
Billy Brown of London Town was a cartoon character, drawn by English cartoonist David Langdon OBE, who featured on the London Transport posters and in local newspapers during World War 2. Brown’s appearance was that of a City of London businessman of the time, wearing a bowler hat and pinstripe suit, and carrying an umbrella. This example featured in the Bromley & District Times on 20th December 1940. Billy Brown of London Town Billy Brown’s own Highway Code For blackouts is ‘Stay off the Road’. He’ll never step out and begin To meet…
The Lock Brothers
Here the Bromley & District Times celebrated another band of brothers who served on the Front Line during WW2. Their mother, already a widow, must have been beside herself with worry that she may lose them all to this awful war! Three members of the Lock family, late of Bickey, are now of 36 Saxon Road, Bromley, are serving in H.M. Forces. They are sons of Mrs. and the late Mr. Lock William Lock, aged 26, is serving with the Queen’s Royal Regiment. He formerly worked for ten years as a…
Decorated Soldier marries Sweetheart, 1940
It’s always exciting to read about military personnel who were awarded honours for the services in the war. Here I found Pilot-Officer Frank Henderson Denton who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.). The D.F.C. is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers of the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for “an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy” DFCDistinguished Flying CrossDFCDistinguished Flying Cross Wedding After Decoration Pilot-Officer’s D.F.C.…