Adverts like this one from the Bromley & District Time (31st May 1918, page 6) appeared in local newspapers advertising for woman to join the British Army in roles such as cooks, waitresses and clerks. The supreme test of British Womanhood comes now The British Army Urgently requires 5000 Women clerks You will be trained FREE and paid during training – and you enrol for the duration of the war in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps
Category: WW1
Captain John Champion Faunthorpe, C.B.E., M.C.
Born in Battersea on 30th May, 1871, John Champion Faunthorpe was the son of the Reverend John Pincher Faunthorpe, who at the time of the award was living at Elmfield, Bromley Common, and was living in Bromley at least in 1881 and 1891. He was educated at Oxford and served in the Indian Civil Service, arriving in India in 1892. He gained a formidable reputation as a big game hunter, (bagging (among other things) more than three hundred tigers. He was posted to various locations in India). He married Amy Frances…
Women of Britain – We Need You…
An advert which appeared in the Bromley & District Times on the 24th May 1918 (page 6), advertising for the women of Britain to help with home service during the war. Women of Britain Will you come and cook for the men who are defending you and your home? 7,000 Cooks and waitresses are wanted now for home service only with the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Cooks and waitresses also required for service overseas. Fill in this form, then cut out the advert and send to Ministry of…
Second-Lieutenant John Potter, D.S.O.
Second-Lieutenant John Potter, D.S.O., was born about 1895, son of the late Mr William Manuel Potter and Mary Ann Potter, of “Clynder”, Gravel Road, Bromley Common. He was educated at Clifton College and on the outbreak of war joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with them until November 1915. He was present at the fighting in La Bassée, Neuve Chapelle, and Loos and then trained for a commission in January, 1916 with the South Staffordshires. The Citation read: On the 1st July, 1916, the first day of the…
Sergeant H E A Squelch, D.C.M.
Sergeant H E A Squelch served with the Wireless Section, Royal Engineers, and was the only son of Mr and Mrs Henry Squelch of Crown Lane, Bromley Common, formerly of Keston. He was on the postal staff at Chislehurst. He enlisted in the Royal West Kents in September, 1914, and was soon made a sergeant. His citation reads: 197871 Lance-Corporal H E A Squelch: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has at all times displayed conspicuous courage and marked ability in the performance of his duties, which involved…
Wartime Weddings
Sergeant G. N, Beazlie and Miss S. Mockford An attractive wedding took place at Widmore Road Baptist Church, Bromley on Saturday (19th May 1945) when Sergeant George N. Beazlie U.S.A.A.F., second son of Mr. and Mrs Robert H. Beazlie of Florida was married to Miss Shelia Mockford, only daughter of Mr and Mrs E. E. Mockford of 158 Palace View, Bromley. The bridegroom, who has been in the Service since 1941 was in the North African campaign with the 8th Air Force. The service was conducted by the Rev. Albert…
Throwing Stones and Cutting Property
Boys will be Boys The following matter was brought before Beckenham Council: ‘Among the matters dealt with was a letter from a resident, complaining of the conduct of youths in the Alexandra Pleasure Ground. A letter from a resident complaining of damage to his allotment in Hospital Meadow by children playing thereon were also submitted. The committee recommended the Council to prohibit the admission of children under 14 years of age to allotments except in company with their parents. Mr Dyke said the council wished top bring the conduct of…
No ration card required
In 1918, the British government set out new laws introducing the rationing of certain food; Sugar, meat, flour, butter, margarine and milk, as a way of sharing food equally. However, as this advert shows from World Stores (who had branches at 50 East Street, Bromley and 41 High Street, Orpington), from the Bromley & District Times on 17th May 1918 (page 6), certain foods did not require a ration card to be purchased. NO RATION CARD REQUIRED for any of the the following:- (equal to Meat in food value) Spaghetti (in tomato…
They came to Britain, looking for safety…
They came to Bromley, looking for Safety REPATRIATION OF BELGIAN REFUGEES During World War 1, it is estimated that Britain was home to almost 250,000 Belgian refugees, who had come to Britain seeking safety when the Germans invaded Belgium in 1914. Some were housed with British families across the country, while overs were sent to purpose-built villages where they had their own schools, shops, churches, hospitals and newspapers, as well as prisons and police force. These areas were considered Belgian territory and run by the Belgian government. They even used the Belgian…
Our Soldiers Want More – Zam-Buk
Zam-Buk was advertised throughout the war. Our Soldiers Want More – Zam-Buk To Heal their CUTS, BAD FEET & TRENCH SORES… Don’t let your soldier lad go with out Zam-Buk I was surprised to see a small tin of Zam Buk in my son’s kitchen. It is still being made today in 2018 As advertised in the Bromley & District Times, 10th May 1918 page 2