A German aeroplane which was brought down in South East England on Sunday 28th July 1940 [source: Bromley & District Times, 3rd August 1940, page 5]
Category: WW2
German pilots buried in Cudham
This story appeared in the Bromley & District Times newspaper in July 1940, recording the funeral of two German airmen who were shot down by Hurricanes of 32 squadron from RAF Biggin Hill (flown by Pilot Officer Peter Gardner, Sergeant William Burley Higgins and Sergeant Edward Alan Bayley). The plane crashed at Baybrooks, Horsmonden after attacking Kenley aerodrome The two pilots were Erich Hoffman (a Flight Engineer) aged 26 years old (grave number NN30) and Waldema Theilig (a Wireless Operator) aged 25 years (grave number NN31) and both were buried…
Signaller Peter Robert Marchant
Reported in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on the 19th July 1940 Missing Signaller Peter Robert Marchant of Bromley Mr and Mrs Robert Whittingham Marchant, of Brookmeade, Hayes ROad, Bromley have been officially notified that their eldest son, Signaller Peter Robert Marchant, is missing. He was on the staff of the engineering section of the G.P.O. and joined the Royal Corps of Signals when he was 19, being one of the first to embark for France last September. From colleagues who have come back safely it is understood that…
Private Harry Robert Eldridge of St Mary Cray
Private Harry Robert Eldridge was reported as missing in the Bromley & District Times on 19th July 1940, however a search of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission doesn’t list him in their war dead. Private Harry Robert Eldridge of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, third son of Mr and Mrs E. Eldridge of 23 Albert Road St Mary Cray, is reported as missing. Private Eldridge, who is 20 years of age, was fighting in France during the early weeks of June. He began school at Wellington Road Junior…
Private Patrick Joseph Reynolds, Bickley
Private Patrick Joseph Reynolds of the Royal West Kent Regiment, was reported as missing in the Bromley & District Times newspaper in 19th July 1940. After this report it transpires that he became as prisoner of war and was reported as having died 14 months later in October 1941. Private P. J. Reynolds Private Patrick J. Reynolds of the Royal West Kent Regiment, second son of Mr & Mrs J.P. Reynolds of Bickley Crescent, Bickley, has been officially reported missing since May 20th by the War Office. He first joined…
Private Frederick William Turrell , of St Marys Cray
Missing in Action Private W. Turrell, of St Mary Cray Mrs Turrell, of 42 Bridge Road, St Mary Cray, has been informed by the War Office that her husband, Private Frederick William Turrell, of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, has been reported missing. In February, when Mrs Turrell was ill in hospital, her husband was granted special leave to visit her, and that was the last time she saw him. Before joining the West Kents over three years ago, Private Turrell was employed at the Marlborough Bakeries, Petts…
Local Kent Medal Winners after Dunkirk, WW2
The London Gazette featured lists of officers and men who received awards for their bravery and service to the country during World War 2. This list appeared in the 19th July 1940 edition of the Bromley & Districts Times newspaper after the battle of Dunkirk, taking the names of several officer and men of the Kent regiments – The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Awards given included the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished…
Daring attacks over German and Italian territories, 1940
This report featured in the 19th July 1940 edition of the Bromley & District Times, giving readers an update on the R.A.F. attacks conducted over enemy territory. It also warned readers that an ‘established Defence Area’ on the South Coast was being barred to holiday-makers. Raids over German and Italian Territory. Many Enemy Planes Brought Down The R.A.F. are continuing their successful operations over a wide area, carrying out daring attacks on German and Italian territory. German raids on this country have been vigorously resisted by R.A.F. fighters and anti-aircraft defences,…
Purchasing Furniture in 1940
Anyone for new furniture in the sale? A three-piece suite for under £24 Remember: Gns are guineas A guinea was worth 1 pound and 1 shilling (21 shillings) 18 guineas was £18 18s. 22 Gns was £23 2s (ie 20 shillings = £1) ½ Gn was 10s 6d (10/6) So 18 ½ Gns = £18 8s 6d Wolfe and Hollander Wolfe and Hollander was established at 220 Tottenham Court Road in 1903. The Bromley branch was located at 46-52 High Street, Bromley. The image below is taken from the Francis…
Getting an Air Raid Shelter at Low Cost during the Battle of Britain
This advert for a concrete air raid shelter appeared in the Bromley & District Times at the start of the Battle of Britain, in July 1940. Effective Shelter at Low Cost Concrete offers the maximum protection from blast and splinters at lowest cost. We manufacture a practical Domestic Shelter for six persons for easy erection by one man at £9’15’0. the Complete set of units (ex works). Trade terms to builders. Complete schemes for industrialists speedily carried out at a love all-in cost. Six standard types will accommodation up to 50…