Notable Golden Wedding Year Mr and Mrs E.J. Boxall of 28 Nichol Lane, Bromley, who were married exactly 50 years ago last Sunday, March 20, will have cause to remember their golden wedding year since it coincides not only with a year of British victories, but is marked by the fact that no fewer than eight members of their family and their son’ families are serving with the Forces. Mrs Boxall, who was Miss Charlotte Annie Friend, has lived in Bromley all of her life, but Mr Boxall came from…
Category: People
Leslie Ralph Eden
Leslie Ralph Eden was a sergeant in the 83 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He lived in Bromley wth his aunt and cousins, but was educated and worked in Camberwell. He was interred into the family grave in Camberwell New Cemetery , Grave 2094 Sergeant L.R. Eden, R.A.F. We have to record the death on active service of Sergeant Leslie Ralph Eden, R.A.F. He was the only child of the late Mr J. Eden and of Mrs Eden, who lives with her sister, Mrs Frances Jordan, 104…
Death of Sub-Lieutenant Stafford-Clark, 1940
Sub Lieutenant (A) John Stafford-Clark was the son of former Mayor of Bromley Francis Stafford-Clark (1929-1930). This notice of his death was published in the local newspaper in March 1941. He was part of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, H.M.S. Heron., based in Yoevilton in Somerset. He died on the 26th February 1941. Sub-Lieutenant (A) J. Stafford Clark, R.N.V.R. Sub-Lieutenant John Stafford Clark, of the Fleet Air Arm, younger son of Alderman F. Stafford Clark, L.L.D., J.P., and Mrs Stafford Clark, and brother of Flight-Lieutenant David Stafford Clark, M.B., B.S.,…
Sergeant-Pilot Harold Ian Maxwell
We have with regret to record the death on active service of Sergeant-Pilot Harold Ian Maxwell, R.A.F., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Maxwell, formerly of Firgarth, Edward Road, Bromley, and now of Newlands, Plaistow Lane. Friends and neighbours unite in offering heartfelt sympathy to them. Mr. Harold Maxwell was born at The Avenue, Grove Park and educated at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate. In business he was first of Sweet and Maxwell, law publishers, Chancery Lane, London. During the Munich crisis of 1938 he joined the R.A.F. as…
King Commends Hayes Man, 1941
This article, which featured in the Bromley & District Times in late February 1941, actually followed directly on from my previous extract story regarding Mr W. T. Field of Bromley, and mentions the George Medal that he received. Whether his award was given to him for this same rescue, it does not say, but it obvious that the two men knew each other. Honourable Mention for Resourceful Hayes Man The King has commended Mr D. H. Cartill, of 26 Hilldown Road,Hayes, for his gallantry and devotion to duty. Mr Cartill, who is…
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…
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…
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…
Flight-Sergeant Charles Sydney
KILLED IN ACTION Flight-Sergeant C. Sydney. St Mary Cray. Flight-Sergeant Charles Sydney, aged 25 years, third son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Sydney, of Derry Downs, St. Mary Cray, was killed during a combat with the Germans on September 27. When a boy, Flight Sergeant Sydney went to St Mary Cray Council School, and at the age of 11 years won a scholarship which admitted him to Bromley County School, where he stayed until 15 years of age. He was then accepted in the Royal Air Force for training at…
The Crisp Brothers
One family from Bromley, Kent saw three of their five sons on active services during World War 2. This short article, printed in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on the 8th November 1940 (page 5), gives readers an update on their whereabouts. Articles like this are very useful to find when searching family history, as they can give further information about the person such as military regiments, schools attended and where they were employed prior to signing up. As well as names of other family members. Our Service Families…