When France collapsed, it was anticipated that Britain would be next. However, as the Bromley & District Times reported in August 1940, both the R.A.F. and anti-aircraft gunners, although less in numbers, were vastly superior and stronger, managing to keep enemy at bay. German planes not brought down were sent reeling home, damaged and diminished. The Battle of Britain had begun… It’s On… The Battle of Britain is on. It has not begun in the way many people expected. When France collapsed so tragically, through the weakness and treachery of her new…
Category: WW2
Homekeeping in Wartime
This article featured in the Bromley & District Times in August 1940, providing advice to housewives to help the with the organisation of the kitchen and larder to cope with any eventuality in this current conflict. The wise housewife will already have laid in her emergency larder. Inspect the Home Larder and Kitchen Front The Kitchen Front will play an ever-increasing part in the present conflict, and the housewife has now an excellent chance to prove her organising ability and foresight in planning her home larder and kitchen front…
The King Visits Kent, 1940
When the local Home Guard received a surprise visit from Royalty in August 1940, the local newspaper reported the excitement of the villagers in West Wickham, and the surprise of the men themselves. The Home Guard put on the largest display in the history of the movement on that day. Record parade of Home Guard at West Wickham Inspection of Anti-Aircraft units The deep interest which the King takes in the military ad civil defence of this country was evident at two visits which he has made to Kent within…
Food Facts, August 1940
A regular feature in the local newspaper in the 1940’s, here is another list of useful ‘Food Facts’ for readers to help encourage them to ‘never waste anything’. The Ministry of Food was almost before its time, by offering more advise on the Wireless each morning – almost like a modern podcast! Every Time you cook you help or hinder Hitler! This advert appeared in the Bromley & District Times, 16th August 1940 (page 3) This Week’s Food Facts Please make full use of the fruit and vegetables now…
Buy National War Bonds, Advert 1940
War Bonds – Britain’s Broadsides! Britain’s vast war effort calls for weapons of every calibre. National War Bonds are the heavy guns of our war finance. They provide the means by which private individuals, the Directors of business concerns, Executors and Trustees can help the Nation to victory. If you have £100 or more, buy National War Bonds. If you are a Director or Trustee, use your influence to sustain and increase the flow of investment. Buy National War Bonds Source: Bomley & District Times, 9th August 1940…
Lifebuoy Soap – Advert, 1940
Lifebuoy was introduced in England by Lever Brothers in 1895, and marketed as a soap that could be used in every part of the house, from the bathroom to the kitchen. It was originally, and for much of its history, a carbolic soap, containing phenol (carbolic acid, a compound extracted from coal tar), but in later versions the phenol was removed Lifebuoy’s popularity reached its peak between 1932 and 1948. After World War Two, when more materials were available and rationing was over, other more appealing soaps began to take hold of…
Coney Hall Fete, August 1940
This article, which featured in the Bromley & District Times on 9th August 1940, shows the carefree nature of life in Britain during World War Two. Less than a month later the London area was targetted by the Germans and the Blitz began. Throughout the year that followed (October 1940 – June 1941) 133 bombs and 1 parachute mine dropped in the Hayes and Coney hall area alone. Two Days’ Merriment at Sparrows Den The Mayor (Alderman R.W. Jeffs) was willing, but the donkey jibbed, Mr Keenor, chief organiser, uses…
Prime Minister’s Message: August 1940
On Saturday 4th August 1940 the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, issued a statement via 10 Downing Street wishing it to be known that the ‘possibility of German attempts at invasion has been no means passed away” This report appeared in the local newspaper the following week. Possibility of Attempts at Invasion CONSTANT VIGILANCE ENJOINED Our growing strength and preparedness The following statement was issued from 10, Downing Street, on Saturday: – “The Prime Minister wishes it to be known that the possibility of German attempts at invasion has by…
Private Walter Waters
Another of the men of the Royal West Kent Regiment reported missing is Prvate Walter Waters the son of Mr and Mrs J. Waters, 54 Victoria Road, Bromley Common, and husband of Mrs Waters, 26 Mosul Way. He was educated at Raglan Road School and later joined the Territorials. He was a lorry driver in the employment of the Corporation. He went to France in the Spring of this year (1940), and the last letter received from him was on May 10. Private and Mrs W. Waters have three young…
Troop Entertainers wanted
The Bromley T.W.E.R.P.S. Concert Party was an amatuer group set up for the purpose of entertaining service personnel and giving public concerts to raise money for various wartime needs. The group performed at various locations including airfields, gun sites, the Woolwich Garrison Theatre and to the cadets at HMS Worcester – a training college for the Merchant Navy. This article featured in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on 9th August 1940. T.W.E.R.P.S. want recruits Bromley T.W.E.R.P.S. Concert Party have shortened their name somewhat to T.W.E.R.P.S. Varieties as being more representative of…