Lieutenant Richard Been Stannard was born at Blyth, Northumberland. His father, Captain George Stannard, was lost with the Mount Oswald, an Allen liner, which he commanded when he was making a trip from Baltimore to England in 1912. He had 2 brothers in the Merchant Service and his sister married Mr Douglas Jenkins. Stannard left school at 15 and joined the Port Line and was at sea in 1918. He transferred to the Orient Line after obtaining his master’s certificate and was 2nd officer of the liner Orford when the war…
Category: WW2
2nd Lieutenant John B. Bassett
72521 2nd-Lieutenant John Bond Bassett , aged 28, was a printer by trade, the third son of Mr & Mrs W R Bassett of Bromley. In July 1940 the local newspaper reported that his parents had received word from the War Office that he had been injured: “He was in the severe fighting following the German breakthrough and after the evacuation of Dunkirk it was believed that he had been brought back, though he was known to have been wounded. Nothing definite, however, could be ascertained and on June 17th his parents…
Soap Rationing
Advert from the Ministry of Food Soap Rationing From Monday, February 9th [1942], soap may be bought only against a coupon or buying permit. The oils and fats used in soap manufacture occupy much shipping space, and some of this must be saved for food. you will have 4 coupons in each 4-weekly period, and will be able to use these how and when you like within the period. There will be no registration, and you may buy from any shop stocking the kind you require. Each of the four…
Gunner Harry Garcia
Old Bromley Scouter Broadcasts An exciting story Harry Garcia, a gunner of a Coastal Command Lockheed Hudson, whose home is at 239 Southlands Road, Bromley, told an exciting story on the radio recently. The pilot of the aircraft also gave an account of the incident when the plane, flying over the sea near the Norwegian coast, encountered three enemy ships. They dropped their bombs but their plane was damaged by anti-aircraft fire. After nearly crashing they set a course for home, but Garcia reported that the wireless operator was wounded. …
Scrap Metal
Ever Wondered What Happened to the Metal Collected during World War Two? Scrap Metal What happens to the scrap metal you have collected in your effort to assist the nation-wide drive? the latest Ministry of Information film, “Arms from Scrap,” answers this question. And a very dramatic answer it is. The film begins with some remarkable scenes of air raid damage and shows you how large quantities of metal from wrecked buildings are being carefully collected. This metal will be made into guns and tanks and bombs. The dump is…
Wedding of Dr. Doobie & Miss Schooling
Dr David N. Dobbie and Miss H.E.M. Schooling Interest was aroused in Bromley on Saturday by the Wedding at St Mary’s Church, College Road, of Dr. David Noble Dobbie, of this town (now Captain, R.A.M.C.), son of Mr and Mrs David Dobbie, of Edinburgh, to Miss Hazel Eva Margaret Schooling, daughter of Councillor and Mrs Lionel Schooling, of Rosewood, Bromley, and granddaughter of the later Mr and Mrs F. Schooling of Holly Dene, Beckenham Lane. The bride’s parents are among the best known residents of Bromley, and she herself is…
Sunlight Flakes: Advert
Happy Thoughts of Sunlight What fun it was! The cheerful buzz of holiday folk enjoying themselves. The surf breaking gently on the sand. And the lovely ripe banana you bought for a penny! Yes, and there’ll be more good times in the sunlight when these days of war are past. So when you find it difficult to get Sunlight Flakes, remember that war conditions are the cause. It can’t be helped, although we regret that you have to go without Sunlight Flakes sometimes, But they’re worth looking and waiting for.…
A/F/L Gillian Lorne Campbell
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Acting Flight Lieutenant Gillian Lorne Campbell, R.A.F.V.T. Acting Flight Lieutenant Gillian Lorne Campbell, R.A.F.V.T., 272 Squadron, son of Sir Edward Campbell, M.P. and Lady Campbell, of Ambleside, Westmoreland Road, Bromley has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Flight Lieutenant Campbell has completed many hours operational flying, involving patrols over Norway, France, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. He has destroyed at least two hostile aircraft and probably destroyed others on the ground, in low level attacks on enemy bases. Throughout Lieutenant Campbell has set an…
Beckenham’s Own War Ship
Make this Beckenham’s Own Destroyer Sikh’s Glorious Record Beckenham’s Warship Week starts on Saturday February 21st [1942]. This aim is to raise £350,000 in gifts and savings, by hitting this target Beckenham will raise the money to adopt a Tribal Class Destroyer, and will be permitted to adopt H.M.S. Sikh. Other towns of like size have shown that the money can be raised. It is up to every man, woman and child in Beckenham to make this week of February 21028 a resounding success, the symbol of which will be…
A Home Guard Against Winter Chills
Another advert for OXO which was published in the Bromley & District Times newspaper during the 1940’s. Read more about the fascinating history of OXO here > Source: Bromley & District Times, 30th January 1942 (page 2)