The Military Cross has been awarded to Lieutenant Arthur Gerard Tapp, R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery), for gallantry in the field. Lieutenant Tapp is the son of Mr and Mrs Arthur Tapp, who lived for many years in Highland Road, Bromley, before taking up their abode at Horley, Surrey, and a grandson of the late Mr A M Tapp, who for 40 years resided at Shortlands up to the time of his decease last year. Lieutenant Tapp received his commission in the R.F.A. in April, 1915, when he was only 18…
Category: WW1
Advert for LSD? Surely not in the Bromley Times!
Like the large letters L.S.D? No, drugs had not been legalised. This refers to pounds (L) shillings (S) and pence (D). This advert was posted in the Bromley & District Times, 1st January 1917 [page 2] to promote the Mutual Loan Society. Might make people look twice when reading today!
Fritz the Ship’s Mascot
Two sailors , on board one of the American naval units in British waters, with “Fritz,” their ship’s mascot. The War Illustrated, 1st June 1918 pg 282
Who Said War Prices?
Taken from the Bromley & District Times on 5th January 1917 [page 2], this advert is promoting World’s Stores on East Street, Bromley and High Street, Orpington, who say they “Have enough for everybody”. It certainly would not be pre-packed. A customer would ask for what they wanted to buy. The butcher would get some, weigh it and wrap it up in paper (no plastic bags in those days) and work out the cost – usually in his head. The mental maths of shop-keepers, particularly greengrocers, was phenomenal. …
Lieutenant Thomas Edward Coney Fisher
Lieutenant Thomas Edward Coney Fisher of the East Lancashire Regiment was a gallant young officer, who fell while leading his men into action on the first day of the great British offensive last year (the Battle of the Somme). Lieutenant Fisher was the elder son of Captain E Fisher, Royal Jersey Militia, and Military Representative to the Shoreditch Tribunal, of Jutland Bank, Vale Road, Bickley. He was for some months reported “missing” after the operations on July 1st, but on November 20th last he was reported as having been killed…
Salt a Good Cleanser
Household hints were often printed in the local newspapers. The following account was printed in the Bromley & District Time in 1917: Every housewife should realise the possibilities of salt as a cleanser. Indeed, salt and paraffin should be in the cleansing outfit of every householder, for together they form a combination which eradicates almost any dirt. For polishing mirrors nothing can exceed the merit of salt. When applying it the glass must be wet with clear water, then the salt rubbed on with a damp newspaper. The final rubbing…
Phosferine #2
Another advert for Phosferine in the Bromley & District Times from 1917, and again another genuine soldier is using it, it seems. I was at Givenchy, Festubert, Neuve Chapelle, Arras and Loos before I got the would which necessitated the amputation of my left arm. The Hospital I was in was bombed every second day for two whole months. A comrade advised me to take Phosferine, but I did not feel anything would put me fight, for I was suffering from rheumatism through sleeping on damp and wet ground. I gave…
Gordon Ewart Thatcher
Obituary for Gordon Ewart Thatcher, a Petty Officer on the Destroyer “Cherwell” was reported in the Bromley & District Times, 30th October 1914, [pg 4] His pre-war military service included serving on the “Encounter” when Lord Kitchener visited New Zealand. During the war he was in the Red Sea expecting an engagement with the German Cruiser “Emdon”. His parents were Mr & Rs J Thatcher of Great Elms Road, Bromley. Gordon was one of five brothers.
Poisoned Sores
Another advert for Zam-Buk as featured in the local Bromley & District Times in 1917. Remember this was a time before Penicillin was discovered (in 1928). POISONED SORES Started with Blackheads Terrible Disfigurement Rapidly Cured by Zam-Buk In an interview with a London Pressman, Mrs F.E. Sharp, whose residence is St Arthingworth Street, West Ham Lane, Stanford, E., said:- “some months ago a little blackhead appeared at the side of my nose. I pinched it out with a watch key, which evidently was rusty. The result of this…
Wearing Furs
Fur Coats, Fur Trimmed Coats, Cloth Coats, Furs and Millnery. In October 1917, the shops were advertising winter wear. Fur, real fur in those days, was very popular with the affluent.