Sidney V. Langton Sidney V. Bateman was a despatch rider for the Royal Field Artillery during World War 1. He wrote about his experiences at the Front in letters sent to the Bromley & District Times in August 1915. One such story was when his motor-bike was out of action, he drove a motor ambulance. While waiting, he went up a hill to view the trenches, he turned round to find a revolver pointed at him and a company of rifles pointing his way. It appeared some German spies were…
Category: Letters
TRIBUTE TO CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES
To the Editor Sir,- I should much like to express through the medium of your paper, our deep appreciation of the great work being done by all the Civil Defence Services. The tireless devotion to duty and the splendid courage of the men and women in all branches of the Home Defence organisations can never be adequately expressed in words, and this fine spirit is an inspiration to all who have the honour to know them and benefit by their splendid and gallant efforts in the cause of humanity. God…
Heinz Ketchup boss contributes £20K to War effort
After opening its first overseas office in London in 1896, the company opened its first UK factory in Peckham, south London in 1905, followed by a factory at Harlesden, north-west London in 1919. Because of its major contribution to wartime food production, its Harlesden factory was bombed at least twice during World War Two, however production carried on regardless as Heinz was so vital to maintaining food resources. On the 4th October 1940, this article was published in the Bromley & District Times giving details of a large contribution given…
Tea-Time Gossip
As written in the Bromley & District News on 27th September, 1940 (page 2) Under the Bed A near-by A.A. gun of terrific calibre has brought down a large piece out of one of our ceilings. Someone said to me, “I do think they ought to warn us” I replied, “Don’t be such a fool. Do you expect them to knock on the door and say ‘Please we are about to let off a gun,’ as if they just wanted to turn off the water?” However, one piece of ceiling…
A Trench View of Air Raids & Reprisals
20th July 1917, page 5 A TRENCH VIEW OF AIR RAIDS AND REPRISALS Sergeant J Gutteridge, of Bromley, was never a pessimist, as our readers have had a number of occasions to know – the men give a lead in cheerfulness and solid confidence which could well be followed by a great many at home – and his view on the subject of air raids and reprisals which is occupying so much civilian attention is worth reading. We are sorry he is wounded, and glad it is only slightly. We…
I came to think of him as a ‘friend’ – Letters of Gutteridge
From the beginning of 1917, letters from John Gutteridge rarely appear in the paper. Whether this was because there were more pressing matters report such as problems on the Home Front, as food prices and availability became more difficult and there was a growing number of regulations regarding food production and distribution (although rationing was not introduced, though frequently threatened, until 1918) and there was a lack of space. Or whether John Gutteridge was just not having the time or inclination to write, we shall never know. In 1917, there was…
The boys did justice to the food provided by the Colonel
26th January 1918, page 2 STILL CHEERY AND BRIGHT Sergeant Gutteridge, of the West Kents, writes home another of his cheerful letters , in which he says they are all merry and bright. “Had a great time yesterday. The company had a dinner and concert. The boys did justice to the food provided by the Colonel of the regiment, and the concert was a great success, the chief item being an original chorus by the sergeants of ‘B’ Company, entitled, ‘ The Nine Point Two,’ which caused some fun. Today…
Another Christmas out here, but we live in hopes of Frits giving in before long
20th October 1916, page 3 SERGEANT GUTTERIDGE STILL GOING STRONG ON CHEERFULNESS Look like having another Christmas out here, but we live in hopes of Frits giving in before long. Dear Sir, _ Still we live, and no complaints. More work than worry at present. We have been having a fairly good time these last (few) weeks, football, boxing &c., being our chief items with the regiment. We have now turned our attention to the more serious part of the programme, and are now leaving Frits with a decent few…
Update from the Front Line
28th August 1916, page 6 Often the Bromley & District Times published short updates on the Gutteridge to inform readers of his current status on the Front. We are glad to receive a card from our cheerful friend, Sergeant J Gutteridge, advising us that he is well notwithstanding all the strenuous demands on time and energy there is at the Front
We Expected the D.C.M. for Our Good Work
28th June 1916, page 10 Another letter from Sergeant Gutteridge of Bromley explaining the fun the ‘boy’ had trying to keep the soldiers awake! Of course we expected the D.C.M. for our good work in keeping the men awake “We had some fun a few nights ago. We had to “stand to” and the boys were allowed to lay down their equipment and helmets on, but not to go to sleep. We found it difficult to keep them awake, so a few gathered round and told them the methods used…