DANGER UXB Bomb Disposal by Jon Mills

The 1940s Society

For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

Issue 60 March / April 2010 £2.50

SECRET Underground London

The Goudhurst Liberator

Churchill’s Secret Army

PLUS Events, reviews and much more!

The 1940’s Society, 90 Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX Tel: 01732 452505 Web: www.1940.co.uk Email: [email protected] 1 RE Bomb Disposal in West London - 17 September 1940 Welcome to the March/April Issue The 1940s Society A special welcome to any new members that have joined for 2010 For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain its great to have you with us and I hope you enjoy each issue, get a chance to visit the website or even come along to one of the Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks meetings in Sevenoaks. A visit to Sevenoaks isn’t possible for Friday 26th March 2010 - 8pm many I know. We have a very wide membership with members all over the country and a growing number abroad. Its wonderful that there is such a growing interest in the 1940s and your support of the society and the magazine is very much appreciated.

The growing interest in the 1940s can be seen particularly in the SECRET huge number of events that seem to be taking place this year. Hardly a weekend goes by without a dance, museum event, Underground London railway event, or other 1940s activity taking place. Unfortunately, Presented by Amanda Pickard many taking place on the same day giving us all the difficulty of deciding on where to visit when you really would like to attend London is rumoured to have a labyrinth them all! of tunnels, factories, headquarters and secret passageways beneath its I do hope that with all of these activities taking place, attendees pavements. Much of it dating from the don’t just treat them as some kind of fancy dress party but take Second World War. the time to think of the events, sacrifices and tragedies that took place in the war years. I’m not suggesting that we should dwell Amanda Pickard will on the more unpleasant sides of the 1940s but its human nature be telling and showing to try and put aside the sorrows and heartaches and look back us some of the stories with rose tinted spectacles. Lets remember those whose lives were cut short or who suffered great family losses and take the behind these secret time to look more closely at the history and activities of those constructions (at least the people and organisations that helped bring the war to a close. ones she’s allowed to) in a presentation that is normally only given at the Many thanks to those that have sent items for the magazine (your Imperial War Museums Cabinet War T-shirts will be in the post) and please do keep contributing, Rooms. weather it be a book review, museum review, or personal account. Amanda, also known as ‘Edna’ from Home front friends is a museum curator and freelance speaker who has worked for the Many thanks once again for your continued support of the society Imperial War Museum, The National Trust and many other Ian organisations around the UK. Specialising in Britains Home Front during the Second World War this is sure to be a If you have any comments, articles or information of interest we would be pleased to consider it for future use. Please contact us at: The fascinating evening. 1940’s Society, 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2UX or email us at: [email protected] . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part and in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior permission of the editor. Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s. Whilst every care is taken with material submitted to ‘The 1940s Society”, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the 1940s Society. Meetings start at 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall, Nr. Sevenoaks.

Whilst every effort has been made to contact all copyright holders, the sources of some pictures that may be used are obscure. The Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 or publishers will be glad to make good in future editions any error or omissions brought to their attention. The publication of any quotes or visit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk illustrations on which clearance has not been given is unintentional.

Designed and produced by Ian Bayley. . © Ian Bayley 2010 2 3 Subterranean Secrets of Wartime London

Amanda Pickard or as perhaps many of us pictures of the Cabinet War know her ‘Edna’ from Homefront friends Rooms before and after they were will be speaking to us at our March meeting opened to the public. which sees a talk that is normally given by In 1942 it was assumed that the the Cabinet War rooms, being given special next war would begin with aerial permission to have its first public outing bombardment and that London outside of the museum. would be hit first and continuously to make it uninhabitable. Whitehall was considered to be ‘Edna’ will be talking on the first target as the heart of Subterranean London and the government. Trafalgar Square, secrets it still holds beneath the St. Paul’s and Tower Bridge all pavements. We will also take expected to be hit hard. The RAF a peak at the level beneath the was the newest branch of the Cabinet War rooms known as armed forces and they anticipated ‘The Dock’, sadly now used as a 24hour bombing, with 2000 killed/ service area and so is not open to injured everyday. So plans had to the public and view some archive be drawn up.

FUSILIERS ASSOCIATION LONDON CORPS OF DRUMS

The Corps is looking to recruit musicians to join our ranks. We play because we love music and have been taken on under the wing of RRF HQ HM TOWER LONDON, who supply our kit. Many of our members come from civilian and military background and mix well.

The Corps is also available for hire. Contact us for further details: Fusiliers House, 213 Balham High Books, Music, Posters, Clothing, Road, LondonSW17 7BQ Accessories, and Much More Administrator: Mr C Ashton Tel: 07903 497 393 www.1940.co.uk The Cabinet War Rooms map room. 4 5 The Warren Fisher committee However much more was made was set up to investigate of the underground stations. and develop a plan. The first Already by 1929, most trains were meeting was held in 1936, and non-stopping at Brompton Road, in 1937 it recommended that the so the War Office rented it and it Government should move out of was used by the 1st anti aircraft London to ensure their safety. division for their HQ. Interestingly there is no street access to In 1937 the Deputy Chiefs of Staff this station today. Down Street decided that a nerve centre was (Piccadilly Line)became the HQ needed where all the Chiefs of Dollis Hill, code name the ‘Paddock’. HQ national railway executive committee. of the National Railway Executive Staff and the war planners could Committee. Again at Down meet safely. It should Dollis Hill code name – the As bombs grew larger, it was Street a munitions factory was include a map room for daily use ‘Paddock’, was built to a similar realised that CWR could not established under the houses of and the facility to send out orders. plan as the Cabinet War Rooms withstand a 1000lb bomb. Two Parliament. Aldwych was the only A new war room was planned, (CWR), but it was 40ft underground ‘rotundas’ were built on a piece station in central London where but would take four years to build. whereas the CWR are only 10ft. of waste ground, each five the power could be switched off, As such, a temporary site was Dollis Hill also had a concrete apron storeys (two under ground, as it was a dead-end. Thus people needed. over the top. It was constructed one intermediate and two slept on the track as well. in secret, the soil being removed above) Despite being rejected The ‘New Public Offices’ were the in bakers’ delivery vans. It had by Churchill, they were used This is just a short introduction to newest and most well built building a hidden entrance and had 30 throughout the Cold War up until the Society meeting on 26 March. in central London with a large rooms. It was generally disliked, the 1970s. Do come along if you can to what basement and so a temporary war and Churchill, who visited it once, is sure to be a fascinating and little room was set up. Not all staff were rejected it as it was a 25-minute discussed area of interest. as well provided for as the Prime drive from Westminster, although Minister and his wife, some Junior the accommodation was staff had to ‘hot bunk’ down in the generally better. ‘Dock’ and share with the Rats and the damp!

6 7 Members Letters Churchill’s Secret Army James Plunket discovers a Home Guard Auxiliary Unit hide in Kent. Dear Ian Many individuals and collections Just a note to say how much I enjoy the 1940s magazine. Am sending of service personnel have been my renewal fee separately by post. I found the Jennings piece proclaimed as the unsung heroes particularly informative, and I enjoyed the piece on the Black Out. In of the Second World War. Surely which latter connection, readers may be interested to know that you none are more deserving of this could be fined up to a staggering £100 for a domestic chimney fire.You title than the men and women of were to blame for not keeping the chimney properly swept. £100 ! One the British Resistance Movement. could build a new chimney stack for less. Until fairly recently only those involved have known of their There were numerous deaths and injuries due to the Black Out besides existence. those on the roads. Local examples from south east London included a man who fell into Surrey Docks and drowned, a man killed when he Set up on the instructions of fell into an open trench shelter, a 19 year old youth electrocuted on live line at Bromley South station after stepping off wrong side of the train, Winston Churchill they numbered a man died after alighting from the wrong side of the train at Shortlands some 3500 and were chosen, in station and falling 20 feet into the street...Just a few among many the main, for their detailed local numerous cases. All before a single air raid casualty occurred. knowledge. Formed into what were known as Auxiliary Units, Well might a contemporary account remark, In the first three months of they were given training in “silent the war, civilians killed on the roads: 3,000; civilians killed in air raids: killing” and sabotage, and taught one Scotch rabbit. The rabbit was killed in the Shetlands in November in detail how to use explosives 1939 during an attack on naval vessels at Sullom Voe. The song Run, and special weapons. Uniform Rabbit, Run was widely and incorrectly attributed to this well-publicised was very similar to that of the event. Home Guard, and indeed many of them played a part in their Regards, local Home Guard Units. In the Gordon Dennington event of a German invasion of Britain they would have taken to underground operational bases (OBs), to emerge after the enemy had passed by. They would then 1940s Society Members Classifieds have created as much havoc and destruction to the enemy’s Whether your looking for something or trying to make space, here is the supply lines and personnel as opportunity to advertise to your fellow members. possible. In addition, they would have fed detailed information on the logistics of the German No members advertisements have been received for this issue but do contact war machine back to the British me if you have something for the next magazine. Command.

Churchill soon realised that the Auxiliary Units were composed Classified adverts will be included subject to space and are free of charge to members of people of exceptional courage placing private advertisements. Please email or post your advertisements for the who would be vital if a German next issue by 30th April 2010 and include clear contact details in case of queries. No invasion was to be defeated. He responsibility will be accepted for advertisements placed or errors in copy. made a quite exceptional and

8 9 extraordinary agreement with archaeologists trowel (a builders and approximate age of this stool the American Government to pointing trowel) to reveal the it is conceivable that this was a supply special weapons, arms, pipes and cables. The layout of full-grown chestnut tree in the explosives and radio equipment the cables is shown in Diagram 1940s. This coaxial type of cable to the Auxiliary Units. We have 2. One of the cables was coaxial is of the type used to connect an all heard how poorly armed the in nature and went to a chestnut aerial to a radio set. It is probable Home Guard Units were. This coppice stool. Judging by the size that this was a vital part of the certainly did not apply to the communications system of the members of the Auxiliary Units operational base and that the who in many instances were better aerial ran up a chestnut tree. equipped than the regular army. A second cable, this time of a All members of the Units had to heavy-duty two-core type travelled sign the Official Secrets Act, and only a short distance to a small although this now no longer binds square, brick lined hole. This them, many Unit members are still without doubt contained a battery. loath to divulge the details of their The most likely type of battery service. World War II historians for powering the radio would be are now racing against time a lead acid accumulator. Since trying to track down these special these were notorious for giving soldiers before their adventures Hatchway disguised with a coppice stool off hydrogen and acid fumes, it and stories are lost forever. is not surprising it was housed it, presumably to camouflage it some way from the hide itself. The My interest in the Auxiliary Units when it was in the closed position third cable (light two-core type started some years ago when I over the entrance. The hole similar to that used for telephones) discovered entirely by accident was equipped, as shown, with a disappeared off into the distance, one of their secret structures, an rung ladder (D) and three glazed and it took over a month of careful operational base (radio hide). earthenware pipes (E). The latter digging, weaving around tree I work for English Nature, and provided ventilation, and ducting stumps and crossing a footpath to while carrying out conservation for various cables which were still determine its eventual destination. work in Ham Street Woods (A in position. The bottom of the hole It led to another underground National Nature Reserve located was fitted with duckboards (G) on structure, this time buried near Romney Marsh in Kent) I which stood a table and seat (F), Hatchway with lock, bolt & hinges underneath a silver birch tree. came across this large concrete all neatly fitted to the curvature of This second structure consisted slab. With the help of a colleague, the hole. A hook was fixed to the of another concrete lined hole, I managed to lift the slab, to wall above the table, possibly for again fitted with a trap door. The discover underneath a concrete- a clock. Several names had been hole had been filled with bricks lined hole, which was full of water written on the wall, E C Bacon, P and other assorted rubble. After and debris. The slab I later found Myers, Newton Weedon, D Atkins, careful removal of the rubble a had been placed over the hole B Oates and Clay, and the date gravel layer was reached. What after the war ended. Pumping affixed was 1941. It is not known lies below this gravel layer is still out the water and removing the if these names were those of the under investigation. Auxiliary debris revealed that the hole was Auxiliary Unit members or of the Units are known to have occupied five feet in diameter and eight people who constructed the hide. very large underground facilities feet deep. Diagram 1 shows the in some parts of the country. It is hole (A) in cross-section. The Several weeks after my initial exciting to speculate that we may floor of the hole was of earth (B). discovery, I returned to the site have found one of these bigger In the hole was found the original in order to trace the route of bases. I hope to relate the story of entrance hatch (C). This was the cables. This required the that in the near future. made of wooden planks with an painstaking removal of the earth old hazel coppice stool nailed to outside of the hide, using an Inside the hide. Half of the platform has collapsed

10 11 DANGER UXB

With the problems of dealing with bombs in Afghanistan receiving much news coverage, Jon Mills looks at Britain’s early efforts to deal with the unexploded bomb of the Second World War.

The first bombs dropped from flying machines fell from Italian aircraft flying over Turks and Arabs in North Africa in 1911, a mere eight years after the invention of the first practical aeroplane. The first bombs to fall on England were dropped on the south coast in 1914 followed BD Sections) to undertake this two years later by the first bombs task were stationed around the on London. During the 1930s as country. No mention was made Britain’s new Air Raid Precautions of preventing damage from the services developed, experts explosion by removing the fuses asked who was to deal with any from the missiles, thus rendering bombs dropped that did not go off. them comparatively safe to be German bombers carried a variety picked up and carried away. of bombs from 1kg incendiaries in containers to the 2500kg - known By summer of 1940 the embryo to the British as the Max - most RE BD Sections – an officer being of 50 kg, 250 kg, or 500 kg. and fifteen soldiers, with picks, Each bomb contained an electrical shovels, ropes, block and tackle, fuse, which set off the larger sandbags and explosives - stood amounts of explosives within but ready to speed to an incident, the which was not armed until the red painted mudguards of their bomb left the aircraft.

After much discussion the job of disposing of unexploded bombs or UXBs was given to the army’s Royal Engineers (RE) on the assumption that most were likely to be found on the surface where they fell and could be surrounded with sand bags and blown up, sandbagging and the use of explosives for demolition work being established RE tasks. At the beginning of the war RE Bomb Disposal (BD) Parties (later

12 13 lorry making them more visible. notified of the bomb by the local much explosive it contained, the had it had been running before it The officers were volunteers authority the BD officer would take bomb was safe. had stopped - or whether in fact from existing RE units and not his section to deal with it. Bombs it had started at all. This problem all were young men - two being were categorised to regulate the The method for dealing with a was overcome by clamping a very over fifty when they started urgency of their disposal, the An fuse depended on its type which powerful electro-magnet to the their new duties. Of the first 16 most serious which disrupted vital enterprising was marked on the fuse head for outside of the bomb to stop the section commanders, five were war work, were put into Category RAF officer the convenience of the Luftwaffe clock which, although it stopped subsequently awarded the George A and were to be disposed of discovered armourer who fitted it to the bomb. the clock, did not render the Cross and three the George Medal immediately, the loss of life of the that a solution Correct identification was essential fuse inoperative. An enterprising for gallantry. With 3,759 UXBs BD personnel being an acceptable of sugar as the fuses were constantly RAF officer discovered that a awaiting disposal by September risk. All other bombs were to be injected into developed by the Germans to solution of sugar injected into the 1940, the number of sections was left for four days after they had the counter the measures put in place mechanism goo-ed things up very doubled by converting existing RE fallen to allow a possible long to ensure their safe removal. All nicely. mechanism units. Not all the men involved in delay fuse to set it off. German fuses were electrical bomb disposal were volunteers! goo-ed things and early types could simply be A later fuse, the number 50 - was Bombs did not always behave up very nicely. earthed. Later types were fitted a booby trap, first encountered Air raid wardens were trained rationally. Whilst a 50kg bomb with a clockwork mechanism in September 1940. The time to identify the distinctive entry dropped from 15,000 feet would but booby-trapped to stop them taken to arm it by electricity was hole made by a bomb. They penetrate the ground, its depth being removed from the bomb. increased from the usual seconds reported their find to the ARP depending on the nature of the Attempts to establish if the clock to minutes so that it only became control who summoned the BDS soil, if dropped from a shallow was ticking first used a medical live once it had buried itself in whilst the police cordoned off angle they might hit harder ground stethoscope but were superseded the ground. Its mechanism was and evacuated the danger area and come out again, causing two by an electronic version with so sensitive that any movement around the bomb. Having been holes and reports of two UXBs. magnets to hold it on the bomb’s once running could set it off, Those dropped on hard ground surface, on which the operator Digging down to the bomb might bounce or break up and could be up to 160 feet from the became dangerous and nearby if they hit anything underground bomb. If it had stopped of course movement was heavily restricted, could travel in unpredictable the difficulty was to know how long as the rumble of a passing train directions. One bomb hit a concrete telephone junction box under ground, bounced back up to roof height and exploded in mid-air.

Once located a shaft was dug down to a bomb with picks and shovels, work which could take several days. The shaft, six feet by eight feet, was lined to stop its collapse. A 50 kg bomb was usually found about ten feet down although one 1,800 kg bomb was found at 66 feet - a hole four times the height of a double decker bus. Once uncovered the first job was to locate and identify the fuse situated in the side of the bomb casing a job which often involved moving the bomb. Remove the fuse and, irrespective of how

14 15 or lorry was enough to set it off. To immunise it boffins on the BD Research Committee discovered that injecting steam into the bomb allowed the safe discharge of the electricity. The device for doing this was known as a BD Discharger and no self-respecting BD officer left home without one.

Even with all this technology it was possible that the bomb, whilst comparatively inert, was still dangerous. The only remaining solution was to remove the bomb’s TNT filling, a practice known as sterilising. Done with steam this initially messy and dangerous job was later improved by an automatic cutting device known as a trepanner. Once safe the bomb quick drink, I think.” Prominently had to be removed from the hole parked outside is a lorry with a for which the section used shear very large bomb on the back. The legs or gin, a tripod of poles set up memoirs of one BD officer record above the hole with a block and that such an incident happened - tackle suspended. In most cases although the bomb was inert, most sheer brute force by all members customers probably would not of the section hoisted the bomb have known that. to the surface. Larger missiles like the 1,800 kg Satan required Anyone interested in the work of cranes which were borrowed by the Bomb disposal squads should local authorities complete with get hold of a DVD of the series operators, from local builders. Danger UXB which was shown on television in the 1970s which is an Once removed bombs were accurate portrayal of their work. loaded onto the section’s lorry and taken to a local ‘bomb cemetery’ where they were either emptied of Jon Mills has written a number of their contents and the cases cut books on Britains Home Front and up for scrap or blown up safely. the collecting of Home Front In many cases the streets were material, some of which are available from the 1940s society closed first and the route cleared website. His books include: ‘Utility in advance by the police. The Furniture’, ‘The WVS’, ‘Identity three largest London cemeteries Cards, permits & Passes’, plus were at Richmond Park, Wanstead many others. Flats and White City. One drink He is also a regular writer for a number of military history and manufacturer placed a cartoon family history magazines including in the newspapers showing two “The Armourer” where he writes a BD men strolling into a pub under regular column on the Home Front. the caption, “Just time for a

16 17 The Goudhurst Liberator Graham Holmes Taking a stroll along Ranters Lane in Goudhurst it is very hard to imagine that just over 65 years ago the peace and tranquillity of this area was broken in the late afternoon by the sound of an aircraft in trouble, followed by the unpleasant sound of impact with the ground. For a while silence descended but what had brought this aircraft and gradually the site became to Goudhurst and what were the Going to Headcorn Aerodrome? alive with people who were circumstances of its demise ? there officially as well as those unofficially, who simply Historical research reveals that Be Sure to visit wanted to help. What they this Liberator, serial number found by Trillinghurst Farm 42-52218, had been attached Lashenden Air Warefare Museum was the shattered remains of a to the 733rd Bomb Squadron, Consolidated Liberator bomber, 453rd Bomb Group based at Old Open Sundays & Bank Holidays - Admission Free or B24 as it was known, strewn Buckenham airfield, two miles across the lane and into the south east of Attleborough in adjacent fields, having taken with Norfolk. The 453rd was itself, part For details visit : it the uppermost branches of an of the huge 8th American Army oak tree. Of the ten man crew, Air Force that had first appeared www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk four died and six were badly hurt in this country in 1942 with the VIV The SPIV For all your WARTIME EVENTS Advertise here for as little as £15

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A B24 Liberator somewhere in Britain, being loaded for a mission 18 19 sole aim of prosecuting an air war suits were provided against the and bombs. The navigator, 2nd If this were not enough, the against Germany, the like of which cold, which got worse when the Lt.Homer D.Dallacque, proceeded Luftwaffe put up large numbers At the had never before been seen. Its bomb bay doors were open. It to give Kelly the initial course of Messerschmitt 109 and Focke briefing, speciality was to be precision had four Pratt and Whitney Twin to the target as the numerous Wulf 190 fighters and a number crews were daylight bombing against strategic Wasp radial engines capable aircraft began to form up for the of B24’s were seen to be going told to targets associated with the enemy of a cruising speed of 200mph. long journey. Tight formation down. Kelly pressed on and as war effort and it suffered massive Its punch was contained in ten was expected from the crews, friendly territory was reached expect near losses of men and machines in machine guns and a bomb although achieving this could 42-52218 began losing height perfect carrying it out. Scores of airfields payload of 8,800 lbs. Little was be as hazardous as taking off, rapidly and a crash landing conditions were constructed in the flat done to make life comfortable for since mid air collisions were a now seemed inevitable. As they over the requisitioned farmland of East crews who often had to endure constant threat. As the attacking crossed the Kentish countryside, Anglia and the East Midlands by missions lasting anything up to force neared the target, it quickly the crew braced themselves as target area, vast gangs of construction workers eight hours at a time. became obvious that the Germans Kelly, assisted by his co pilot, ideal for in a very short period of time. Old were expecting them, for a very 2nd Lt.William E.Bolsover, visual Buckenham was one such airfield Mission No.20 of the 453rd was effective smoke screen had been sought a suitable site to put the daylight which opened in late 1943 and to take it to Friedrichshaven on laid across the area by barges aircraft down. The hilly country bombing. became home to the Liberator the banks of Lake Constance, moored on the lake. So much around Goudhurst was far from crews of the 732nd, 733rd, 734th quite close to the Swiss border. for ideal bombing conditions. To ideal, but with no further options How wrong and 735th Bomb Squadrons. The Take off from Old Buckenham was add to their discomfort, the crews available, the Liberator crash this was to first recorded combat mission for scheduled for the early morning also came under very accurate landed at approximately 5.30 in be. the 453th was in February 1944. of Saturday the 18th March 1944. and intense anti aircraft fire from the afternoon. Sadly, the co pilot, This was to intended to be a long ground batteries protecting the bomb aimer, the ball turret gunner, Among the more notable residents deep penetration raid against target. It was about this time that Sgt.John A.Spies and the tail of the base were the Hollywood targets which included an aircraft 42-52218 received hits which gunner Sgt.Thomas E.Burns, did actors James Stewart and Walter factory. At the briefing, crews badly damaged the aircraft not survive the impact. Serious Matthau. Stewart served as were told to expect near perfect although not serious enough for injuries were sustained by the Operations Officer and Matthau conditions over the target area, the crew to bail out. Kelly pressed pilot, navigator, engineer, Sgt. was a radio cryptographer. ideal for visual daylight bombing. How wrong this was to be. The B24 was said by pilots to Accompanying the 453rd on this be a very difficult aeroplane to mission would be the B24’s of the fly, requiring great strength and 392nd Bomb Group who were to concentration. At heights in excess suffer the more serious losses. of 20,000 feet temperatures got as Rolling down the runway, the on with the attack and was William E.Hawkins, radio operator, low as 40 degrees below zero and pilot of 42-52218, 2nd Lt.Stanley relieved to hear from the bomb Sgt.Graydon B.Wade, top turret bare skin would freeze if contact D.Kelly, eventually got his aircraft aimer, 2nd Lt.Irving Dolin that the gunner, Sgt.Paul C.Swank and was made with metal parts, such airborne. An extremely hazardous bombs had been released. He the nose gunner Sgt.Mason Lee. as guns. Unwieldy, heated flying business when fully laden with fuel could now concentrate on getting The graves of Bolsover, Spies the aircraft home. and Burns can be found in the American Cemetery at Maddingly near Cambridge whilst Dolins remains were returned to his native New York.

The site in Ranters Lane still bears the scars of that day in March 1944 although the passer by would be quite unaware of their presence and still less of the events which took place.

20 21 Events Diary Not a complete 26 March 2010 1 May 2010 the 1940s with DJ Terry Elliott in this period 22 July 2010 listing of everything The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks Bomb Boogie Bash (swing/R&B) venue. Further details and directions 20’s / 30’s / 40’s NIGHT that’s going on but a Secret Underground London. The Memorial Hall, School Hill, Birch, Essex contact sentimentaljourney1944@yahoo. 7.00 – 11.00pm few events that may Amanda Pickard will be showing us some of CO2 0LZ (Just off the A12) co.uk or 0207 987 6686 The Marquee, Dunnington Playing Fields be of interest to what still lays beneath the pavements of 7-30pm till Midnight. DJs Pat Da Kat, Rattlin Common Road, Dunnington ,York, members. London and how these tunnels, railways Daddy, & Special Guest. 12 June 2010 YO19 5NG and establishments were used during the Some free refreshments but no bar so bring RAF Biggin Hill family day & dance Live 13 Piece Band “New York Dance Band” More are listed on Second World War. Come along and find your own. Tickets £7 on the door. The all day event will take place in the St & Supper the website at out more. Details: 01621 891602 Raphael Chapel and surrounding grounds Tickets £10.00, Tickets & Information from: www.1940.co.uk 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near and will be fundraising for the ATC and local www.dpff.org.uk, Jen Lewis – 07890230778 Sevenoaks, Kent. 1- 3 May 2010 soldier James Cutting who was seriously Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 W.W.2 “Dig for Victory” weekend - Cowper wounded in Afghanistan. Military vehicles, 21 - 25 July 2010 Admission £3 & Newton Museum Orchard side, Market living history displays, traders, dance The War & Peace Show Place, Olney, Buckinghamshire, MK46 4AJ. classes, a flight simulator, 1930s/40s band The Largest Military Vehicle show in the 27 March 2010 Tel 01234 711516 and more. The evening’s entertainment will world. The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent. Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight be a private Charity Ball for advanced ticket TN12 6PY. Tel: 01622 872068 Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from 24 April 2010 holders only, starting at 7.30pm till midnight, Vehicles, displays, dance, music, the 1940s & early 1950s. Otford Swing Dance 7-30 till Midnight with 3 top DJs playing their 40s tracks. entertainment, military dealers and so much Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge Otford Village Memorial Hall, Otford, Kent There will be a WW2 dress code. more...... Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS TN14 5PQ Dress to Impress, 1940s Details on: 020 8460 2830 Look at the website to find out more: Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or preferred. Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, http://www.warandpeaceshow.co.uk Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee & Please bring your own drinks 3 - 4 July 2010 doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks Tickets £6 or £7 on the door Isle of Wight Steam Railway 31 July 2010 Tickets £6 or £7 on the door Details: 07506 851862 or 1940s Weekend Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight Details: 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com Always a very enjoyable event to attend, the Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from www.spitfirebounce.com railway is taken back to the war years with the 1940s & early 1950s. 21 May 2010 evacuees, homeguard, vintage vehicles and Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge 27 March 2010 The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks of course steam trains. More details to Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS Stage Door Canteen, Pratts Bottom Village French Resistance During the Second follow but worth putting in your diary now. Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Hall Norsted Lane, Pratts Bottom Kent BR6 World War by Terry Crowdy. Details at http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee & 7SU. A great Dance and venue featuring 3 Author & historian Terry Crowdy will be doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks DJs in conjunction with USO. Refreshments giving a presentation on the French 3 - 4 July 2010 Tickets £6 or £7 on the door are available but you are welcome to bring Resistance, how it was organised and run, Operation HOMEGUARD - Ingleton’s 1940’s Details: 07506 851862 or your own drinks. TICKETS ARE FREE but and the role of British security services in its Weekend. A weekend of entertainment and www.spitfirebounce.com must be booked in advance. Dress code organisation. Terry spoke to us in nostalgia, two days packed with fun for strictly 1940s. Tel 020 84602830 or visit September 2009 when he spoke on everyone, including: Military vehicles; 31 July /1 Aug 2010 www.stagedoorcanteen.co.uk ‘Deceiving Hitler’ and we’re delighted to military and civilian re-enactors; liberation of Thanet at War have him back for what I’m sure will be a the German occupied French Market This is a new event, organised by the 3 April 2010 fascinating evening. Square by Allied forces; Cenotaph parade; Bygone Days Historical Group, Ramsgate. It 1940s Dance. The Crown Hotel on military parade led by the Black Watch will be held on 31 July/1 August 2010 at Drummond Road Skegness, 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Pipes & Drums; Saturday night dance with Government Acre, Ramsgate with free Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag Sevenoaks, Kent. the Starlight Swing Orchestra; Sunday public admission. The organisers wish to and dance the night away to “ The Kings of Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 afternoon Tea Dance. For more information extend an invitation to all Home Front Swing” Forties Dress is optional. Admission £3 contact John & Elaine Ward 015242 41024 WW11 re enactors and displays. More Tickets are £6 available on the door or from [email protected] or visit www. details later.For further initial information Sue Clarke on 01507 475804/Jack Wise 22 May 2010 ingletonhomeguard.co.uk please contact the Secretary, Brenda 01754 876951 or email susanclarke 1970@ Spitfire Bounce 7-30 till Midnight Rogers at 7, Minster Road, Ramsgate, btinternet.com. Swing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from 16 July 2010 CT1105L email [email protected]. There will be a war time quiz and also a the 1940s & early 1950s. The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks raffle. Food is available from the N.A.F.F.I Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge Surviving by Magic 24 September 2010 Come along and make new friends Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HS Presented by Monty Parkin. The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks everyone is welcome. Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or The amazing story of Fergus Anckorn, Speaker to be confirmed Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee & member of the Magic Circle, who used his 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near 16, 17, 18 April 2010 doughnuts, Please bring your own drinks magician’s skills to survive the horrors of a Sevenoaks, Kent. Further details from Ian Whitby Spirit of the 40’s Weekend Tickets £6 or £7 on the door Japanese prisoner of war camp. on 01732 452505 Admission £3 There are free entertainments in the town Details: 07506 851862 or A moving, enthralling and entertaining centre, parades, traders and all sorts of www.spitfirebounce.com evening that should not be missed. 26 November 2010 events. Other events may require tickets The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks from Whitby Pavilion Box Office on 01947 5 June 2010 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Speaker to be confirmed 604855. Too much going on to list Terry Elliott’s Sentimental Journey 1942 Sevenoaks, Kent. 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near everything but more details are listed on the Dance at Horton Kirby and South Darenth Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on society website. Village Hall. Enjoy & Dance to the sounds of Admission £3 01732 452505 Admission £3

22 23 The 1940’s Society Membership Application

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Issue 60 Issue 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UX