Tag: WW2

Bromley Rescue Squad Members Honoured , 1941

Pam Preedy

A.R.P. Awards Members of Champion Rescue Squad Honoured Two members of a Bromley Rescue squad, Leader Cecil Edward Wright and Mr Albert Purless Harman, have been awarded the British Empire Medal for their part in extricating a man from a bombed house, the house received a direct hit from a high explosive bomb, and it was discovered that a man was buried beneath the wreckage.  Mr Wright an Mr Harman had great difficulty in reaching him, and tunnelled for three houses during the night while the raid was still on,…

Pet Food Adverts, 1941

Pam Preedy

In the Summer of 1939, before the outbreak of war, the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed. This committee produced a pamphlet giving advice to pet owners stating: “If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency.” It concluded by saying: “If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed.” This advice was printed in almost every local newspapers across the country, and was confirmed in a BBC broadcast…

Billy Brown’s Guide to London Transport

Pam Preedy

Here is another fine example of the Billy Brown character, invented by cartoonist David Langdon OBE, giving advice on using public transport in London. Published in the Bromley & District Times, 27th December 1940 Billy Brown of London Town The safest travelling in town Is not too good for Billy Brown. He’s much too sensible and knowing To jump down off a bus that’s going. Especially in blackout house Or when the kerb is wet with showers On these occasions Billy B Goes by the slogan ‘Wait and See’. Printed…

Bombed Railway Line fixed within Hours!

Pam Preedy

During WW2 the railway system in Britain was used heavily, and so it was of vital importance to keep the lines running effectively.  The four main railway companies’ managements joined together, effectively becoming one company; London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS), Great Western Railway (GWR), London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Southern Railway (SR). The railways system suffered greatly from the bombing by German Luftwaffe, especially around cities such as London and Coventry. These ‘before’ and ‘after’ images show the efficiency of the British railway companies in fixing lines that…

Bromley’s Post Bag 35% below normal during Christmas 1940

Pam Preedy

We had a comfortable Christmas, everything worked smoothly and well” said Mr H.J. Sibley, head postmaster of Bromley to a Kentish Times representative. People had been asked to post earlier than in peace-time and earlier in the day. In their readiness to comply with this request, it was a tremendous help to all departments of the postal service. “We did not get the violent peaks as in former years, The Christmas rush was spread over a longer period” said Mr Sibley. The busiest day on the postage side (mail going…

The Lock Brothers

Pam Preedy

Here the Bromley & District Times celebrated another band of brothers who served on the Front Line during WW2.  Their mother, already a widow, must have been beside herself with worry that she may lose them all to this awful war!   Three members of the Lock family, late of Bickey, are now of 36 Saxon Road, Bromley, are serving in H.M. Forces.  They are sons of Mrs. and the late Mr. Lock William Lock, aged 26, is serving with the Queen’s Royal Regiment.  He formerly worked for ten years as a…

What to Do Before Going into Your Shelter

Pam Preedy

Before, during and after the raid What to do before going into your Shelter – and the help that is ready if your home is hit. Before you leave the house, turn off all gas taps, including pilot jets, and turn off the gas at the main.  Leave buckets or cans of water and sand or earth on the front-door step, or just inside the door.  Put your stirrup pump, if you have one, where it can easily be seen,  Draw back curtains and raise blinds in upper rooms so…