The 1940s Society For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain Issue 91 May / June 2015 £3.00 From the Garage Floor Advice from ‘Dino’ - Buying a Vintage Car Musical Missive by Jeff “Two-Tone Boogie” Plus Diary Events 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 Election Blues The 1940s Society For Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain At last the election is over and we can have a break from the constant proclamations of politician’s trying to persuade us we can trust them. Resignations have come left, right and centre (literally) Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks and the people who should probably be fired are the pollsters who Friday 22 May 2015 - 8pm got it completely wrong. But then again, you never quite know what’s going to happen in an election. Take the General election of 1945 for example. The previous A Schoolboy in London election had been ten years earlier as they were suspended during the war. Churchill, the favourite by a long stretch with an 83% 1940 - 1945 approval rating, had led the country victoriously through five years of hardship. He was hugely popular and nobody expected a change by Ray Broomfield of government. What was it like to be a schoolboy in London during the Blitz? But what caused this landslide victory for Labour. Many still blamed Ray Broomfield will be giving a presentation about the Conservatives for the policy of appeasement which allowed his life in London during the war. Hitler to become so powerful but the Beverage report, published in 1942 and eagerly adopted by the labour party, was a major factor. This illustrated talk will include details of his school Proposing nationalised health care, state-funded education and a days and coping with life between 1940 and 1945. new housing policy, it was extremely popular. The war weary people of Britain had been promised a better life Ray will also be bringing along original wartime after the war and they were determined for change. They just didn’t items from his collection. think Churchill was the man to make that change. Come along and find out what life was like for the children of the Blitz. It’s a shame that much of the VE Day Celebrations this year have been overshadowed by the election but there were still many events to choose from and a lot of effort was put into their organisation. It’s still such a privilege to meet veterans and those that lived through this pivotal period of our history. Ian Please support the Society with a subscription on-line at www.1940.co.uk or fill out and return the form on the back of this magazine. 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 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. 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. Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s. Whilst every effort has been made to contact all copyright holders, the sources of some pictures that may be used are obscure. The Meetings start at 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall, Nr. Sevenoaks. publishers will be glad to make good in future editions any error or omissions brought to their attention. The publication of any quotes or illustrations on which clearance has not been given is unintentional. Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 or visit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk Designed and produced by Ian Bayley. © Ian Bayley 2015 2 3 LASHENDEN From the Garage Floor AIR WARFARE MUSEUM Thinking of buying a Vintage Car? Here are a few tips and tricks from Dino that might help when viewing your potential purchase for the first time. Hello again everybody You will need to have somewhere safe, secure and protected to Since my last article it’s been keep the vehicle. Old cars can the start of a busy season. We be fragile and valuable. Many have had ‘drive it day’ and saint vehicles are obviously now getting MUSEUM GIFT SHOP, FLYING, George’s day as well as the 70th very old and as such parts are PARACHUTING, PLEASURE FLIGHTS, year VE celebrations and a few becoming quite difficult to find, HOLDING POINT CAFÉ, WINGS BAR early shows, so I hope some of so think about whether the make/ you have been able to get out and model you are looking at has LASHENDEN AIR WARFARE MUSEUM enjoy some of these events. good availability of parts. Are Headcorn Aerodrome, Headcorn, there any parts needed and Ashford, As I said at the end of my last if so what will be the potential Kent TN27 9HX article there may be some of you cost. Has the vehicle been fully Tel; 01622 631799 / 01622 890226 who are considering purchasing restored recently or in the past? (please check opening times) a classic vehicle for the first time, It is so easy to overlook this and www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk so I am going to look at some then find that in a couple of years buying guidelines which may help. time when something is needed Many of these suggestions will for servicing or repairs that they also apply to modern vehicles are impossible to find or incredibly as well. expensive. This can then lead on to the vehicle being parked up When looking to and neglected and left unused purchase a vehicle sitting in a garage, which defeats there are a few the whole point of owning the car considerations in the first place... Advertise to take into account. There are lots of owners clubs out there and I would strongly advise DINO’S here that you at least look at, if not join the relevant one, ideally before you buy the car. You may CAR SERVICES for as little well be able to get some We cater for all vehicles but specialise in: useful advice in advance Jeeps, Military, Vintage & Classics as £20 and they often have cars Call or email to discuss your requirements for sale. or to arrange a visit for a cup of tea and a look at the problem. Once you have considered Dean Whybra the above and have found Tel: 078 666 999 69 a car to view, the fun Email: [email protected] starts. When you first see Mobile service available. a car, speak to the owner 10% Discount with this Advert and find out exactly what’s 4 5 been done to it, how recently Before you do anything else, have It generally costs more but is clean tidy engine but one which and how much the car has been a good look around the car and worth it. Finally put the blanket shows honest signs of use. Look used since. This should give you check the paint work and body on the floor, lay on it and using at the radiator for signs of rusting a good idea of what you may be work looking for signs of rust, the torch have a really good look or deposits. This could indicate purchasing. Arrange to go and poor quality repairs, damaged underneath. You are looking for a leak or overheating problem. see the car and if possible take paint and any obviously missing rust on the chassis and floor areas Also check the general condition somebody along with you, ideally parts or trim. Now is the time and also along the sills which are of the radiator as these are quite a mechanic, classic car enthusiast to use the magnet you brought the parts where the body connects expensive items to replace - or somebody who knows that with you. As you walk around the to the underside. Also while you especially on some of the vintage particular marque well. car just put the magnet onto the are looking underneath, check the cars with the very large rads. Now car body, particularly around the exhaust system and have a look you are probably wondering why I When you first go to see the car wheel arches and bottoms of the at the steering and suspension. suggested bringing the cloth. This take with you a small magnet, doors, wings and anywhere where You may not be able to test it fully has three uses. Firstly, if the car is a good torch, a blanket and a it is likely to rust. This is usually but you can pull it to see if there is wet you can use it to dry an area cloth. When you arrive at the car in areas which can trap mud and any excessive movement in any to check the condition of the paint, put your hand on to the bonnet water. If the magnet sticks then bushes and again look for general secondly, if the paint is flat or to see if the car is warm. There obviously there is good metal, condition and rust. oxidised, wet the cloth and polish could be a genuine reason for if it doesn’t the panel has been a small area to get an indication of this, such as it has been moved repaired with filler and could be Once you are satisfied with the what the paint will look like when out of the garage or the owner hiding a multitude of sins.