FEEDING THE GUN ON BROMLEY’S BATTLEFIELD “No Man’s Land” from the Trenches £70,000 raised: How the Money Came in In an effort to raise money to pay for the war, the Government sold War Bonds. Bromley supported this in great patriotic spirit. In 1917, a tank – ‘Tank Drake’ had toured the country and came to Bromley to the Market Square. When members of the public bought war bonds they could have their bonds and certificates stamped at the tank. There were displays of aircraft dropping leaflets and the band…
Tag: Bromley
Private Frank Offin
Private Frank Offin was one of 3 brothers who served in the First World War. His father, Mr F Offin, lived in Vale Cottages, Mason’s Hill, Bromley. He was a member of the 6th (Service) Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, stationed at Purfleet. [source: www.militaryancestors.co.uk]
Private Herbert Venters
Herbert Venters was the son of Mr & Mrs W Venters of Wharton Road, Bromley. He had attended Wharton Road Council School. He was mentioned in the Bromley & District Times on the 25th September 1914 as having joined up in the February and had volunteered for foreign service. He became a member of the 5th Royal West Kent Regiment. He was reported as still serving in July 1917. [source: www.militaryancestors.co.uk]
Stanley William Reuben Friend
Stanley William Reuben Friend was the son of Mr Alfred Friend and a member of the Royal Field Artillery. Mentioned in the Bromley & District Times newspaper on the 2nd October 1914
Private William Conway
A member of the Army Service Corps, who lived in Wharton Road, Bromley. He was reported on in the Bromley & District Times on the 16th October 1914. [source: www.militaryancestors.co.uk]
2nd-Lieutenant Cecil Henry Viney
Cecil Henry Viney was the son of Mr & Mrs C T Viney of Dartmouth, Durham Avenue, Bromley, who had been residents at South Hill Park for many years. His father was a Church warden at St Mark’s church, Bromley. Cecil was educated at South Lodge, Enfield Chase & Winchester. When war broke out he was a student at R.A. School of Painting. He was granted a commission in Aug 1914. Trained at Weymouth and attached to the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. On the 9th May 1915 he was in charge of 31…
Lieutenant Oswald Payne
Lieutenant (John) Oswald Payne was the son of Mr & Mrs Frederick Payne of New Farm, Bromley. Prior to the war, he was a junior partner in the firm of Baxter, Payne, and Lepper, (Bromley and Beckenham), and a Fellow of the Surveyors’ Institution and secretary of the Kent Branch of the Land Union. Payne joined the Artists’ Rifles immediately on the outbreak of war and was later granted a Lieutenant’s commission to the 4th Royal Warwickshires and later to the 1st Battalion. He was killed in action in April…
Children to be paid to pick Blackberries
Blackberries – Children to get 3d. A lb for picking A discussion took place on the subject of blackberries for jam. The Kent Agricultural Committee wrote asking the Food Control Committee to appoint an organising agent for the borough to arrange and superintend the picking of blackberries by children and their conveyances to recognised jam manufacturers. Children would be paid 3d per lb. (pound) for all they picked, and the organising agent would be paid £3 per ton (imperial) for his services. Tuppence for transport would be provided. In the…
Great Demonstration on the 4th Anniversary of the War, 1918
With the entry of the American troops, fresh and ready for the fight, in April, 1918 and the failure of the German Spring Offensive, the mood of the country becomes more optimistic for an end to the fighting. There was a celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the war on Martin’s Hall. These three men, The Mayor, Frederick Gillett; the Right Honourable H.W. Forster M.P.; and Sir Leonard Powell, all gave rousing speeches at the demonstration. It still needed three months until the Armistice was finally signed and the fighting…
Don’t run any risk with Allotment cuts & brusies – Use Zam-Buk
The popularity of allotments at this time meant many could be liable to small scratches and cuts, which could quickly become infected and lead to severe consequences – after all- no antibiotics in 1918. An advert for Zam-Buk featured in the Bromley & District Times newspaper. Always carry Zam-Buk the antiseptic healer Work on the allotment produces a big crop of Cuts, Scratches and Blistered Hands, with the risk of dirt and dangerous disease germs infecting the broken skin and setting up blood poisoning. This applies sepecially to the tens…