A deck boy on a ship on a convoy to Russia What is the Merchant Navy? The merchant navy is a term used to refer to the commercial sector of the maritime industry. The merchant navy has no involvement in military service, but rather the shipping of cargo and people across sea routes aboard cargo ships, tankers, and cruise liners. Merchant seamen crewed the ships of the British Merchant Navy which kept the United Kingdom supplied with raw materials, arms, ammunition, fuel, food and all of the necessities of a nation at war…
Tag: WW2
King Decorates A.P.R. Supervisor
Mr Leslie Harding, Green Street Green Just as the nation were reading the first official account of the rout of the German “invincible” air amada in the Battle of Britain – the greatest air fight in history – last August and September, the King, at Buckingham Palace, on Saturday decorated Mr Leslie Harding, of Bryrdale, Old Hill, Green Street Green, with the medal of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) in recognition of bravery and courage displayed during the battle in civil defence ground work. Mr Harding is…
Private John Bertram Ecott
Private John Bertam Ecott was the son of John Roland and Edith Miriam Ecott, of Bromley, Kent. He volunteered in February 1940 and was called up almost immediately. The Commonweath War Grave Commisson reported his death as being sometime between 07/06/1940 and 18/07/1940. This report of his death was reported in local newspaper in April 1940. He is buried at Pornic War Cemetery in Loire-Atlantique, France. Private J.B. Ecott We regret to record the death of Private John Bertram Ecott, R.A.S.C. He had been posted as missing more than eight…
Boxalls Family
Notable Golden Wedding Year Mr and Mrs E.J. Boxall of 28 Nichol Lane, Bromley, who were married exactly 50 years ago last Sunday, March 20, will have cause to remember their golden wedding year since it coincides not only with a year of British victories, but is marked by the fact that no fewer than eight members of their family and their son’ families are serving with the Forces. Mrs Boxall, who was Miss Charlotte Annie Friend, has lived in Bromley all of her life, but Mr Boxall came from…
Leslie Ralph Eden
Leslie Ralph Eden was a sergeant in the 83 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He lived in Bromley wth his aunt and cousins, but was educated and worked in Camberwell. He was interred into the family grave in Camberwell New Cemetery , Grave 2094 Sergeant L.R. Eden, R.A.F. We have to record the death on active service of Sergeant Leslie Ralph Eden, R.A.F. He was the only child of the late Mr J. Eden and of Mrs Eden, who lives with her sister, Mrs Frances Jordan, 104…
Many people caught out with Gas Tests in Bromley
Gas attack tests were conducted during WW2 to prepare civilians for such attacks from the enemy. This article was published in the local Bromley newspaper explaining, and possibly also warning, its readers to be vigilant and remember to take their gas masks with them everywhere. Gas Tests in Bromley Many people caught in Main Street THEY CAME OUT WITHOUT THEIR MASKS A mother with her baby set a fine example during the first gas test in Bromley; they both had their respirators. On the other hand, some Service men were…
House of Perrings
This featured appeared in the Bromley & District Times in 1941, giving a lovely introduction to the family firm Perring. A furniture company based on value and honesty. It was in 1892 that a new name came to the furniture trade of London when William Perring, a young man from the West Country, opened a small shop in Paddington. There was an ideal behind this venture – an ideal of service and value. It was an ideal which found a ready response. To-day you will find the name of Perring…
Caretaker needed for Smallpox Hospital – Job Advert, 1941
Looking for a job? Here’s a good one for a couple – but the remunerations is somewhat uneven but they do get accommodation (no children) and rations and washing. So maybe for the right couple it would be a good opportunity. West Kent Joint Hospital Board Caretakers of Smallpox Hospital Applications are invited from parried couples for this joint appointment determinable by one calendar months notice given by or to the Board. Salaries – Husband £110 per annum and wife £56 per annum, together with residence (no accommodation for children),…
Sending Parcels to the Front Line
Right from the outset of the second world war, British railways were the mainstay of the internal transport system. They were used extensively for transporting goods and war equipment, as well as troops and evacuated children. Railways had proved harder to bomb and much easier to repair than alternative modes of transport. War saw a major reorganisation of the railway industry in Britain. which resulted in the control of the railways being passed to the Railway Executive Committee. They took responsibility for running the network and giving information on urgent…
Highest Scout Honour Given, 1941
The Silver Wolf scouting award is the highest award given out by The Scout Association. It is an unrestricted gift of the Chief Scout and awarded “for services of the most exceptional character.” The award itself consists of a Silver Wolf suspended from a dark green and yellow neck ribbon. During the early years of the Scout Movement throughout the world, it was the practice of the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell, to give the Silver Wolf to Scouters in any country who had done outstandingly valuable work for the Movement. It’s recipients…