Missing in Action Private W. Turrell, of St Mary Cray Mrs Turrell, of 42 Bridge Road, St Mary Cray, has been informed by the War Office that her husband, Private Frederick William Turrell, of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, has been reported missing. In February, when Mrs Turrell was ill in hospital, her husband was granted special leave to visit her, and that was the last time she saw him. Before joining the West Kents over three years ago, Private Turrell was employed at the Marlborough Bakeries, Petts…
Category: Extracts
Local Kent Medal Winners after Dunkirk, WW2
The London Gazette featured lists of officers and men who received awards for their bravery and service to the country during World War 2. This list appeared in the 19th July 1940 edition of the Bromley & Districts Times newspaper after the battle of Dunkirk, taking the names of several officer and men of the Kent regiments – The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Awards given included the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished…
Daring attacks over German and Italian territories, 1940
This report featured in the 19th July 1940 edition of the Bromley & District Times, giving readers an update on the R.A.F. attacks conducted over enemy territory. It also warned readers that an ‘established Defence Area’ on the South Coast was being barred to holiday-makers. Raids over German and Italian Territory. Many Enemy Planes Brought Down The R.A.F. are continuing their successful operations over a wide area, carrying out daring attacks on German and Italian territory. German raids on this country have been vigorously resisted by R.A.F. fighters and anti-aircraft defences,…
Purchasing Furniture in 1940
Anyone for new furniture in the sale? A three-piece suite for under £24 Remember: Gns are guineas A guinea was worth 1 pound and 1 shilling (21 shillings) 18 guineas was £18 18s. 22 Gns was £23 2s (ie 20 shillings = £1) ½ Gn was 10s 6d (10/6) So 18 ½ Gns = £18 8s 6d Wolfe and Hollander Wolfe and Hollander was established at 220 Tottenham Court Road in 1903. The Bromley branch was located at 46-52 High Street, Bromley. The image below is taken from the Francis…
Getting an Air Raid Shelter at Low Cost during the Battle of Britain
This advert for a concrete air raid shelter appeared in the Bromley & District Times at the start of the Battle of Britain, in July 1940. Effective Shelter at Low Cost Concrete offers the maximum protection from blast and splinters at lowest cost. We manufacture a practical Domestic Shelter for six persons for easy erection by one man at £9’15’0. the Complete set of units (ex works). Trade terms to builders. Complete schemes for industrialists speedily carried out at a love all-in cost. Six standard types will accommodation up to 50…
Keston’s Home industry: Fruit Preserving in War-Time
There are few more interesting branches of war service than the homely fruit preserving work which is being undertaken by the eight Women’s Institutes forming the Bromley District. The headquarters of the movement at Little Orchard, Keston, have been rented from the proprietors of Heathfield School, and consists of nearly all the ground floor, which in addition to several large rooms has a number of pantries, cupboards, and storerooms admirably suited to the purpose. A visit was paid by a representative of the Kentish Times, who was amazed at the…
New Maternity Wing Opens at Farnborough Hospital in 1940
Remember a time when we were allowed flowers in the wards? At the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939, the Farnborough Hospital joined the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and became known as the Farnborough Emergency Hospital under the control of Guy’s Hospital in London. In anticipation for air-raid casualties, a number of marquees were erected to temporarily provide extra accommodation while a dozen wooden hut wards were being built in the gardens and orchards. During this time the Hospital had around 1,200 beds, which were ready to receive casualties from Dunkirk and…
Air Fight over the Channel – July 1940
War news which featured in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on 19th July 1940 (page 5) Five Bombers and One Fighter Shot Down Enemy aircraft which were attacking shipping in the Straits of Dover early on Monday evening were interrupted and five, one fighter and four bombers were shot down into the sea by our fighters. In addition an enemy bomber was shot down by anti aircraft fire.One of our fighters was lost. The Air Military also announced in a later communique that three British fighters in all were…
Italian Recipes for Meatless Days – Risotto in Bianco
Another recipe that appeared in the Bromley & District Times in January 1917, was this simple Risotto in Bianco, which helped give ideas to housewives looking to provide an interesting and delicious meal to their family, even though meat was in short supply. Risotto in Bianco 1/2 pound Rice, washed and dried 2 pints of Broth 2oz of Butter (or less if preferred) 2 tbsp Grated cheese Bring the broth to boil, then throw in the rice Boil until the broth is absorbed (about twenty minutes) Remove from the fire and…
Italian Recipes for Meatless Days – Gnocchi alla Romana
By 1917, certain foods were in short supply, especially meat, wheat for bread, butter and sugar. Here is a recipe that appeared in the Bromley & District Times newspaper in January 1917. I liked the elegant suggestions about serving the Gnocchi alla Romana. Definitely for the middle-class housewife who maybe has lost her live-in cook! Gnocchi alla Romana 3/4 pint Water 3/4 pint Milk 1/2 pound Semolina Butter Grated cheese Salt. Boil the semolina in the milk-and-water, with salt to taste for fifteen or twenty minutes, stirring well occasionally…