It is amazing how history can repeat itself. This article asking for knitters to help create woollen clothing for the Winter season in 1941 especially resonated with me as it reminded me of the recent plea for sewers across the country to help put together hospital scrubs for medical staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. It seems we have always been a nation willing to help his fellow man in times of national need. This small article appeared in the local Bromley & District newspaper. I wonder what the take up…
Category: WW2
Henry Euler and Miss Jane Bowl
It is such a wonderful moment in family history research when you stumble upon an article, such as a marriage or obituary, where it can either help fill in a missing puzzle piece in a family tree, or provide further information about the family and help lead you down another avenue of research. Whilst creating my Military Ancestors database, I also recorded all the weddings that appeared. One such wedding was of a Lieutenant Henry Leonard Euler, who was in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to Miss Jane Elizabeth Bowl…
Flying Officer Peter E.A. Loat
The Battle of Cape Matapan was a Second War engagement between British Imperial and Axis forces, fought from 27–29 March 1941. The cape is on the south-west coast of the Peloponnesian peninsula of Greece. Following the interception of Italian signals by the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS) at Bletchley Park ships of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy, under the command of the Royal Navy’s Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, intercepted and sank or severely damaged several ships of the Italian Regia Marina under Squadron-Vice-Admiral Angelo Iachino. The opening…
Matron Marion Edith Bolton
Mottingham George Medallist Mrs Marion Edith Bolton, matron of the Sir Robert Jeffery’s Homes, Mottingham, received from the King, as a recent investiture at Buckingham Palace, the George Medal which she was awarded for her bravery in rescuing two aged women from a fire at the Homes caused by enemy action. Mrs Bolton was accompanied by her father and sister. Her son is serving in the Middle East with the R.A.F. Source: Bromley & District Times, 8th August, 1941 (pg 6)
Lieutenant Gerald E. Combe
Lieutenant Gerald Edward Combe was the son of Herbert Walter and Mildred Eleanor Combe, of Bromley, Kent. He was killed in action on the 27th May 1940, aged just 23 years, and is commemorated at Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery in Morbecque, France. Killed in Action Lieutenant G. E. CombeLieutenant Gerald E. Combe, of The Queen’s Own, Royal West Kent Regiment, previously missing, is now officially reported killed in action in Belgium in May, 1940. He was the younger son of Mr and Mrs H.W. Combe, of Elmbank Hotel, Sundridge…
Flying Officer Eric Charles Whitehead
Flying Officer Eric Charles Whitehead was the son of William and Selina Whitehead of Bromley, Kent, and the husband of Cynthia Eva Beatrice Whitehead, of Chislehurst, Kent. He died on the 17th July 1941 and is commemorated at Escoublac-la-Baule war cemetery in France. Information has just been received by his relatives in Bromley from the Air Ministry that Flying-Officer Eric Charles Whitehead has been reported as missing after being out on operations with his squadron a few days ago. here is a possibility, however, that news of him may yet…
Lord Woolton Pie: The Official Recipe
Originally called Lord Woolton pie, and later as simply Woolton Pie, this pastry dish of vegetables was widely served in Britain during World War Two when rationing and shortages made other dishes hard to prepare. It was first created at the Savoy Hotel in London by its then Maitre Chef de Cuisine, Francis Latry. It was one of a number of recipes commended to the British public by the Ministry of Food during the Second World War to enable a nutritious diet to be maintained despite shortages and rationing of…
You Can’t be too Careful: Propaganda Campaign, 1943
“Over 1,000 fires a day are helping Hitler.. so stub it out!” One of the propaganda campaigns which ran nationally during World War 2, was to warn people of the dangers of cigarettes and matches, causing fires and lighting the way for the enemy to find towns and cities. The main campaign, which appeared in posters across London, showed a glowing cigarette end, with a burning factory in the background. The posters were designed by Austin Cooper (1890–1964,) a Canadian–British illustrator and commercial artist. This advert, showing a similar image…
Travel Advice: Don’t Travel at Whitsun, 1943
Advice from the Railway Executive Committee advising customers not to travel on Whitsun 1943 (which fell on Sunday 13th June), due to the trains being used to transport urgent supplies to the battlefront. Whitsun Trains are going to the front! We are on the eve of great events. Now – more than ever – every available train is needed for the massing of war materials for the battlefronts. Victory – and the lives of our men – depend on these supplies. DON’T TRAVEL AT WHITSUN Railway Executive Committee Source: Bromley…
Dainty Wear for Tiny Tots
Loving the names of the children’s clothing from this advert in the Bromley & District Times from May 1940. The Infant’s Art Spun Smock Art Crepe Romper Infant’s Dayella Gown Boy’s Cotton Buster Suit Girl’s Cotton Frock and Knicker Set All Wool Matinee Coat This shop also sold the classic Muslin Squares (still very much bought and used today) and of course Terry Squares – the forerunner to the modern day disposable nappy. Source: Bromley & District Times, 28th May 1943 (page 3)