Council Sets up Battlefield Scene to Help Raise Funds for the War

FEEDING THE GUN ON BROMLEY’S BATTLEFIELD “No Man’s Land” from the Trenches £70,000 raised: How the Money Came in In an effort to raise money to pay for the war, the Government sold War Bonds. Bromley supported this in great patriotic spirit. In 1917, a tank – ‘Tank Drake’ had toured the country and came to Bromley to the Market Square. When members of the public bought war bonds they could have their bonds and certificates stamped at the tank. There were displays of aircraft dropping leaflets and the band…

War Naturally Affected the Birth-Rate in a Most Alarming Manner

On 4th October 1918, there was a report in the Bromley & District Times on a CHILD WELFARE EXHIBITION ‘An important feature of Bromley Baby Week, which was opened at the Public Library on Wednesday afternoon of last week by the Hon Mrs Eustace Hills, with Mayoress (Mrs Fillet) in the chair. The exhibition was prepared and conducted under the Child and Welfare and Health Committee of the National Union of Women Workers, and was a most interesting and instructive character, the exhibits being arranged under such headings as “Guidance for the Expectant…

Lieutenant J L Miller-Hallett

2nd Lieutenant J L Miller-Hallett (possibly John Lionel) was the youngest son of Mr & Mrs A Miller-Hallett of Goddington near Chelsfield, Orpington. He was a member of the Indian Army attached to the 3rd Fusilliers, and passed into the Indian Army at outbreak of war from Sandhurst College.  His brother, 2nd-Lieutenant J A Miller-Haller had obtained his commission in the 11th Battalion South Wales Borderers and was stationed at Colwyn Bay. J L Miller-Hallett was twice wounded in action on the Western Front. First in June 1915, when it was reported in the Bromley &…

Private Herbert Venters

Herbert Venters was the son of Mr & Mrs W Venters of Wharton Road, Bromley.  He had attended Wharton Road Council School. He was mentioned in the Bromley  & District Times on the 25th September 1914 as having joined up in the February and had volunteered for foreign service.  He became a member of the 5th Royal West Kent Regiment. He was reported as still serving in July 1917. [source: www.militaryancestors.co.uk]

2nd-Lieutenant Cecil Henry Viney

Cecil Henry Viney was the son of Mr & Mrs C T Viney of Dartmouth, Durham Avenue, Bromley, who had been residents at South Hill Park for many years. His father was a Church warden at St Mark’s church, Bromley. Cecil was educated at South Lodge, Enfield Chase & Winchester. When war broke out he was a student at R.A. School of Painting. He was granted a commission in Aug 1914. Trained at Weymouth and attached to the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. On the 9th May 1915 he was in charge of 31…