How our Parents/Grandparents coped with the War.

[OldBlueLady]

Our mother was evacuated to Derbyshire during the early part of the war and she certainly wasn't a WHSG pupil.

She used to regale us with the expression: "Put wood in hole"* which she apparently learnt there.


*close the door.

Surely it would've been "put wood in't'ole"? It's a Northern expression generally, not specific to Derbyshire. If you read DoDtS's article, it says that many children from Southend went to an area from Stockport to Chesterfield so quite a lot probably ended up in Derbyshire, not just the WHSG girls.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Surely it would've been "put wood in't'ole"? It's a Northern expression generally, not specific to Derbyshire. If you read DoDtS's article, it says that many children from Southend went to an area from Stockport to Chesterfield so quite a lot probably ended up in Derbyshire, not just the WHSG girls.

If you read Jim Worsdale's excellent Southend at War, he and his broother were evacuated to Mansfield, which sort of bears your point out.

I think Barna is translating from the original Cataln Kay. :smile:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

If you read Jim Worsdale's excellent Southend at War, he and his broother were evacuated to Mansfield, which sort of bears your point out.

I think Barna is translating from the original Cataln Kay. :smile:

Mum did learn a bit of French to talk with her daughter in law's family but no Catalan that I'm aware of.:whistling:

I know she wasn't fond of her time as an evacuee and left as soon as she could to do war work at the Ecko Plastics factory.

 

[DoDTS]

The schools in the area were allocated to a particular towns such as Mansfield, Ripley etc the teaching staff would go with them and share the school facilities some parents also moved with them to be near their children. Other people may have had relatives in other places such as Wales and privately evacuated their children there. Although we think of evacuation for children but in fact people of all ages were encouraged to leave, in fact you would get a knock on the door from the police wanting to know why you weren't leaving. Don't forget the article is about the situation at the start of the war it did change.

For those children that didn't evacuate eventually neighbourhoods would get together and a makeshift schoolroom made in some one 's house with perhaps six boys being taught in the morning and six girls in the afternoon. The teachers were not usually qualified, perhaps retired or anyone who seemed vaguely intelligent. It wasn't ideal but it kept the kids of the streets and gave them some sort of education.

Hope you enjoying the articles another one tomorrow.

DoDtS

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 7 – GOVERNMENT NOT THE WAR RESPOSIBLE FOR SOUTHEND’S DECLINE

UNLOCKED CAR PROSECUTION
“My object is to get the publicity necessary to warn motorists that there are various things they must do to secure the immobility of their cars”. The Chief Constable said it was not sufficient to remove the ignition key.
From the Southend standard 11th July 1940

PRISON FOR SHOWING A LIGHT
“You have had your warning. This is the third time you have put all in your neighbourhood into jeopardy” said the Mayor giving a month’s imprisonment to a 55 year old woman from Leigh for permitting a light to be shown from a building during black-out hours
From the Southend Standard 18th July 1940

MORE PEOPLE LEAVE SOUTHEND
More residents mostly women and children aided by the Public Assistance Committee left the Borough.
From the Southend Standard 18th July 1940

CARRYING GAS MASKS
The importance of carrying gas masks was again the subject of a warning issued to the public. “Do not suppose” the message stated “because the Germans have not so far used gas they will not eventually do so. A gas attack is effective chiefly when there is an element of surprise”.
From the Southend Standard 1st August 1940

CLEARING LOFTS AND ATTICS
Lofts and attics in dwelling houses in urban areas must at once be cleared of all moveable articles as a precaution against fire caused by incendiary bombs
From the Southend Standard 1st August 1940

BAN ON EAST ANGLIAN BEACHES
It was announced that no person other than a Police Officer in uniform may enter or remain upon any beach on the sea coast of the Eastern Defence Area.
From the Southend Standard 1st August 1940

THE USE OF SHELTERS
Sir – My wife was halfway down Chalkwell Avenue when the siren went and her nearest shelter was a matter of some hundreds of yards away. In the immediate vicinity are several houses that are unoccupied and have elaborate shelters constructed in their gardens but access is not possible owing to the entrances being locked.
From the Southend Standard 5th September 1940

POSITION OF SOUTHEND
“Government Responsible” – That the present condition of trade in Southend was not due to the war or to air-raids but to the action of the Government was an opinion expressed. Eighteen months ago the town was flourishing, residents were living here and working in London and the influx of visitors made the wheels go round, but now it is a very different story and things are getting worse and worse. When the war started there were people that said the town would be bombed to pieces and people moved away. Offices in London were evacuated to quieter places and then the children were evacuated. The Government in openly advising evacuation is responsible for two thirds of the residents moving out.
From the Southend Standard 5th September 1940

Sir – I am a member of the home guard and was waiting for a bus when a “Jerry” plane came over and dropped about six bombs a short distance from where I was standing and as soon as the bombs touched the ground wardens of both sexes came from all directions. I was struck by the eagerness of all of them.

BOMBINGS.
A lone raider dropping bombs on Sunday Morning when at least ten high explosives were dropped and also some incendiaries further east and an unsuccessful attempt to machine gun men who were putting in some early work on their allotments. A man was killed outright when a bomb fell a few feet away. A mother and baby, former residents of the town were killed in an eastern suburb of London when taking cover in a public shelter while her husband and daughter survived although they were practically buried in rubble and drenched in water from a burst water main. Jettisoned Bombs cause Damage –A certain amount of damage has been caused by enemy raiders jettisoning bombs as they have fled from the challenge of British fighters. While in some areas definite objectives have been attacked, there have been as previously many cases of random bombing. Night raids have lasted for many hours.
From the Southend Standard October 1940

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 8 - 1940 SHOULD THE KIDS RETURN? And the FIRST LOOTING!

CHILDREN MAY RETURN
Invasion Danger No Greater Here - With the air war over Britain, and in view of the already changed conditions since Southend schoolchildren were evacuated, the future might see an influx of both children and adults into the town. “Where the bombing is going to be early next year we do not know”. SOUTHEND SCHOOL CHILDREN Brewery Road mixed school have been evacuated to Sutton-in-Ashfield. The weekly arrival of the coach on Saturday has given the opportunity of keeping in touch with the parents many of whom have availed themselves of the chance to visit their children. Added to this many of the parents are now permanently resident in Sutton.
From the Southend Standard 10th October 1940

SCHOOLCHILDREN NOT RETURNING
No Intention of Re-Opening Southend’s Schools – It was definitely stated at the meeting of Southend Town Council that there is no intention of bringing the evacuated school-children back to the Borough and no possibility that any schools will be opened at Southend for the education of the children still in the town.
From the Southend Standard 17th October 1940

ABSENCE OF SCHOOLS
As Probation Officers in this County Borough of Southend-on-Sea, we feel compelled to bring to your attention the fact that there are hundreds of children running the streets in this town with no provision whatever for their education. We earnestly ask that at least two schools are re-opened at the earliest possible moment.
COULD HAVE AVOIDED ACCIDENT
Coroner Blames Laxity in Handling Weapons – This is one of a long series of accidents that display a serious degree of laxity in the handling of weapons said the coroner when he held an inquest into the death of a nineteen year old Gunner who was shot by one of his comrades in an Essex camp. He was told that they were fencing with their rifles which was a common practice.
From the Southend Standard 24th October 1940

EVACUATION AND PETS
If evacuation is ordered it may not be possible for you to take your pet animals in the train. Animals will be painlessly destroyed by competent persons. This Poster not only caused much alarm and distress to the owners of animals but frightened hundreds, if not thousands of people out of the town with their pets.
From the Southend Standard 31st October 1940

FIRST LOOTING CHARGE
Stripped Plumbing from Bombed Houses – One year’s imprisonment was imposed on a Westcliff man under the Defence Regulations in regard to the charge of looting. He was charged with stealing a hot-water cylinder, a quantity of lead piping and a quantity of leaded light from premises which had been damaged by war operations and from premises which had been vacated.
From the Southend Standard 14th November 1940

IF SOUTHEND STAGES A COME-BACK AFTER THE WAR
Like Thousands of others I was driven from the town by the threat of evacuation and the possible destruction of a valued canine friend. After the war those who own or were buying their houses will almost automatically return, but the civic fathers would do well to remember the many thousands who were renting property and who at present have no stake left in the town.
WOMEN’S VOLUNTARY SERVICES I assisted the W.V.S. at a shelter station where people who had been rendered homeless by enemy action applied for and received immediate shelter, food and where necessary clothing prior to being found billets. One young woman who was hobbling about on one high-heeled shoe and one slipper and carrying a few months old baby was having her third experience of being “bombed out”. Yet in spite of all this, “let’s get on with the war” appeared to be the general feeling.
From the Southend Standard 14th November 1940

BOMBINGS
Although several houses were damaged or wrecked by high explosives and other bombs fell in the grounds of a building on an open space and on roads there was not a single casualty of a raid on Saturday evening. About twenty bombs fell across the town but surprisingly little damage was caused. RAIDER SHOT DOWN IN THAMES Crowds watch Parachutist – One of the 17 enemy raiders destroyed on Friday by our fighters was shot down in flames into the sea off Shoeburyness and crowds of people saw a parachutist drift away from the plane and over towards the Kent coast. Another young pilot of a Messerschmitt 109 which had been crippled by gunfire and Spitfire attack landed in the centre of the parish where members of the local Police Force were in waiting to make him prisoner and to convey him to the headquarters of their Division.
From the Southend Standard November 1940

 

[Berrichonne shrimper]

This kind of smacks of a episode of dads army but if you think whilst you read this drivel i write if it was war time some one could drop a bomb on your head or sitting where im sitting a knock on the door could mean death,i hate war.

 

[Napster]

During the war, my Dad said you didn't have to worry about the Blitz – the only bomb that would get you was the one that had your name on it. Which used to worry our neighbours...

Mr and Mrs Doodlebug.

 

[Hotman]

Episode 8 - 1940 SHOULD THE KIDS RETURN? And the FIRST LOOTING!

CHILDREN MAY RETURN
Invasion Danger No Greater Here - With the air war over Britain, and in view of the already changed conditions since Southend schoolchildren were evacuated, the future might see an influx of both children and adults into the town. “Where the bombing is going to be early next year we do not know”. SOUTHEND SCHOOL CHILDREN Brewery Road mixed school have been evacuated to Sutton-in-Ashfield. The weekly arrival of the coach on Saturday has given the opportunity of keeping in touch with the parents many of whom have availed themselves of the chance to visit their children. Added to this many of the parents are now permanently resident in Sutton.
From the Southend Standard 10th October 1940

SCHOOLCHILDREN NOT RETURNING
No Intention of Re-Opening Southend’s Schools – It was definitely stated at the meeting of Southend Town Council that there is no intention of bringing the evacuated school-children back to the Borough and no possibility that any schools will be opened at Southend for the education of the children still in the town.
From the Southend Standard 17th October 1940

ABSENCE OF SCHOOLS
As Probation Officers in this County Borough of Southend-on-Sea, we feel compelled to bring to your attention the fact that there are hundreds of children running the streets in this town with no provision whatever for their education. We earnestly ask that at least two schools are re-opened at the earliest possible moment.
COULD HAVE AVOIDED ACCIDENT
Coroner Blames Laxity in Handling Weapons – This is one of a long series of accidents that display a serious degree of laxity in the handling of weapons said the coroner when he held an inquest into the death of a nineteen year old Gunner who was shot by one of his comrades in an Essex camp. He was told that they were fencing with their rifles which was a common practice.
From the Southend Standard 24th October 1940

EVACUATION AND PETS
If evacuation is ordered it may not be possible for you to take your pet animals in the train. Animals will be painlessly destroyed by competent persons. This Poster not only caused much alarm and distress to the owners of animals but frightened hundreds, if not thousands of people out of the town with their pets.
From the Southend Standard 31st October 1940

FIRST LOOTING CHARGE
Stripped Plumbing from Bombed Houses – One year’s imprisonment was imposed on a Westcliff man under the Defence Regulations in regard to the charge of looting. He was charged with stealing a hot-water cylinder, a quantity of lead piping and a quantity of leaded light from premises which had been damaged by war operations and from premises which had been vacated.
From the Southend Standard 14th November 1940

IF SOUTHEND STAGES A COME-BACK AFTER THE WAR
Like Thousands of others I was driven from the town by the threat of evacuation and the possible destruction of a valued canine friend. After the war those who own or were buying their houses will almost automatically return, but the civic fathers would do well to remember the many thousands who were renting property and who at present have no stake left in the town.
WOMEN’S VOLUNTARY SERVICES I assisted the W.V.S. at a shelter station where people who had been rendered homeless by enemy action applied for and received immediate shelter, food and where necessary clothing prior to being found billets. One young woman who was hobbling about on one high-heeled shoe and one slipper and carrying a few months old baby was having her third experience of being “bombed out”. Yet in spite of all this, “let’s get on with the war” appeared to be the general feeling.
From the Southend Standard 14th November 1940

BOMBINGS
Although several houses were damaged or wrecked by high explosives and other bombs fell in the grounds of a building on an open space and on roads there was not a single casualty of a raid on Saturday evening. About twenty bombs fell across the town but surprisingly little damage was caused. RAIDER SHOT DOWN IN THAMES Crowds watch Parachutist – One of the 17 enemy raiders destroyed on Friday by our fighters was shot down in flames into the sea off Shoeburyness and crowds of people saw a parachutist drift away from the plane and over towards the Kent coast. Another young pilot of a Messerschmitt 109 which had been crippled by gunfire and Spitfire attack landed in the centre of the parish where members of the local Police Force were in waiting to make him prisoner and to convey him to the headquarters of their Division.
From the Southend Standard November 1940

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 9 - 1940/41 THE POSITION OF SOUTHEND

BILLERICAY SHELTERS FLOODED
80 per cent of the Anderson Shelters in Billericay were reasonably dry and that the concreting of the shelters could not be expected to make them absolutely watertight met with a chorus of protests. Several members said that three-quarters of the shelters in their districts were flooded.
From the Southend Standard 5th December 1940

THE POSITION OF SOUTHEND
A Leigh man now living in Torquay writes we are told that we are all in this war but that is not so, however much the authorities would have us believe it. I make the assertion, fearing contradiction by nobody, that there are thousands who were living in the eastern half of England at the outbreak of war who have either been ruined or compelled to live expensively by various official orders, whilst probably a greater number of residents in the other half of the Country have had prosperity thrust open them solely through the lucky chance of location. My case must be typical of many hundreds of Southend residents alone, I am living in a south western town which has never before attained its present population where shopkeepers, landlords and landladies and all public services are in top gear whilst I am still expected to pay my rates in Southend.
From the Southend Standard 12th December 1940

HOUSEWIVES AS FIRE FIGHTERS
“Bucket and Spade Brigade” Put Out Incendiaries – The moon was glinting through scurrying clouds as I arrived on Sunday night at one of the roads upon which hundreds of incendiary bombs had been showered. The half light was picked out in every direction by white glows and I was in time to see one of the finest answers to Hitler’s attempt to break the morale of the British people. From almost every house womenfolk poured out armed with spades and pails and every incendiary bomb within reach was quickly and efficiently dosed.
From the Southend Standard 16th January 1941

BOMBINGS
NINE NIGHTS QUIET BROKEN A very heavy bout of gunfire greeted the raiders. HOTEL HIT – Houses Demolished – Several Killed. When a hotel in a shopping thoroughfare was hit by a high-explosive bomb, several customers and staff were trapped by piles of debris which crashed through the ground floor and into the cellar. A dance was also in progress in the ballroom at the rear of the hotel and there were several people in the underground shelter. These all escaped injury but of those trapped some were dead when reached by rescue and demolition squads and a number of others were taken to hospital some seriously injured. Shops and offices on the other side of the road were also damaged. Incendiaries, an oil bomb and a number of high explosives were dropped during this raid and considerable damage was caused. In another area of the borough a number of houses were demolished and many others damaged by a bomb which exploded in the centre of the roadway. In this instance also, a number of people were trapped and two were found to be dead when rescued. Digging continued when the bodies of two civilians were recovered from the hotel and another located. The bodies have not been identified. BOY’S MARVELLOUS ESCAPE - Buried for Twenty Hours – Rescue workers are continuing digging operations at the scene of last week’s bomb damage in a residential area and recovered two further bodies. Sometime later they the rescuers extricated a 16 year old boy who although had been buried for some twenty hours was still alive and able to speak. Later in the day other bodies were recovered from the debris of neighbouring houses. Over twenty bodies were found. RAIDERS OVER THAMES ESTUARY Enemy raiders were met by a particularly heavy barrage and retaliated by dropping high explosive and incendiary bombs over widely scattered areas. Watchers saw the sky at one time completely encircled by lights, either from searchlights or from the glow of incendiaries, flares dropped by the enemy and the gun flashed and shell bursts GERMAN SUNDAY DAYLIGHT RAIDS During Sunday’s daylight attacks a flight of nine Messerschmitt 109s and 110s flew inland over the Thames Estuary and machined gunned the town. Several small bombs were dropped and a Messerschmitt dived with it’s machine-guns blazing at a group of buildings. The pilot never came out of that headlong rush for his machine was in a dead line with a ground defence unit and a stream of bullets hit him broadside on. The plane crashed at the end of a garage and blew to bits. Another raider released a number of bombs and then swooped down towards a cluster of houses where many people where in their back gardens. As the machine-guns belched red metal. Men and women flung themselves to the ground.
From the Southend Standard January / May 1941

EVACUEES FOR TWELVE MONTHS
“Evacuation” and “evacuee” are ugly words but the realities are better. Twelve months of north country life have stored our memories with crowded recollections, thrown light on many problems, brought interesting and unexpected experiences and given us many fresh glimpses of “England’s green and pleasant land”
From the Southend Standard 5th June 1941

STRONG WORDS OVER EVACUATION ORDER
Summonses Against Parents Withdrawn – Sharp exchanges between the prosecuting solicitor and the defending solicitor marked proceedings when summonses against six parents for failing to send their children back to the reception areas or elsewhere out of the Borough.
From the Southend Standard 16th October 1941

 

[Benfleet A1]

Great stuff DODTS very much enjoying this thread. As some of you will know, I'm older than my youthful good looks would have you believe so can relate some stories from my father who served throughout WWII with the Merchant Service. He was a bit of a rascal in his younger day and ended up on a training ship at 13 after getting caught chucking bangers onto passing buses in Rayleigh High Street around 1930. The sentences for youth crime then days was far harsher and I would argue far more effective than the softly softly approach of today and with due haste he was whisked off for a 6 month stint of short sharp shock on a training ship in Chatham.

He learnt the hard way about disapline but also learnt to swim (chucked in the deep end, you soon learn) and more importantly he was taught seamanship. Proper old school stuff like knots, lashing down, basic navigation and the like. By his own admission it stuck and when he came out he was a changed person. Well sort of, they also taught him how to box and he became very good at that as several 90+ locals of Rayleigh, Hadleigh and Leigh could probably testify. Anyway, for some unknown reason he ended up in the Army as a motorcycle dispatch rider. While on leave he met the first love of his life and after a whirlwind romance knocked her up and decided to get married. One on the cheap later he was hitched, she was heavily pregnant and he was still in the Army, the one place he didn't want to be for obvious reasons. He somehow managed to rent a place in Hadleigh and sent home most of his pay to keep the new Mrs happy but as you can imagine he wasn't happy with the arrangement. She finally dropped and pater was given a weekend pass to visit his new addition in hospital. Now my papa was a funny old stick, he gave me untold grief from the age of about 10 and no doubt he done the same with my half brothers and sisters but he was a complete softy when it came to newborns, babies and toddlers. Ever seen that advert with the nasty looking giant of a bloke close-up but when the camera pans out he turns out to be child minder who the kids adore? Well that's my dad. He went bandy with very young children and couldn't bare to be away from from his new baby girl (my half sister Valarie) So what did the soppy sod do? He went AWOL and not only that, he went AWOL with one of the British Armys motorbikes. Just drove out the gate and never came back.

It didn't take a genius to work out where he had gone and was found back home with daughter in his arms singing Humpty Dumpty to her. As the story goes, it took five MP's to arrest him. Two to escort him out in handcuffs and two to carry out the one he knocked out on the doorstep. This was 1937. He ended up in the Army stockade at Colchester on a charge of AWOL, stealing militery equipment and assault on rank. Serious stuff then days and he was looking down the barrel of a very long stretch in militery jail which was and still is grim. Somehow, his old Commanding Officer from the training ship got to hear of all this and came to visit him. Apparently the old man had really shined with seamanship skills and he was given three choices.

Join the Royal Navy
Join the Merchant Service
Rot in jail until the authorities could be bothered to find the key.

He wasn't good with authority, that was obvious, so he agreed to the Merchant Service on the strict understanding that if he stepped out of line then he could consider Colchester Stockade his new permanate address. So that was that, Walden J.B was now Able Bodied Seaman Walden J.B. He managed to knock up his old woman three more times before the outbreak of war and was half way across the Atlantic when war was declared. He told me that they had to slow the convoy they were in down so Royal Navy destroyers could catch up and provide escort to Liverpool.

With the outbreak of war and living in Hadleigh he came home and dug a hole in the back garden for the Anderson shelter but then thought better of it and packed the whole lot of his family off to Derbyshire. Within two years they were back but because he signed on to most of his ships in Liverpool he stupidly moved everyone up to Bootle. Not the smartest thing he ever did as Liverpool got a fearful pounding and indeed the street he was renting in got leveled one night with all the kids down the shelter while his wife slept right through it. Apparently she woke up in the morning, drew back the curtains and the opposite side of the road wasn't there anymore yet their side was reletively unscathed. They moved back to Hadleigh not long after.

Two stories he told me that always made me laugh was the time he was coming home on leave and was walking through London somewhere. He heard a noise like a motorbike going overhead and realised it was a V1 doodlebug. Quick as a flash he dived into someones garden and hid in a shed. Seconds later a very angry old lady ripped the door open and demanded to know what he was doing in her shed.

'Theres a bloody doddlebug going over' said pops
'Oh don't worry about that you silly sod she said, it's when they stopping making a noise you need to worry'

Another time he was on the tube again on leave. Two fellows were sitting behind him chatting about work when the lights went out and the train stopped in a tunnel. A bombing raid commenced and everyone hit the deck. Ten minutes later the lights came back on and the train chugged back on its way. The old man got up a gibbering wreck and re-took his seat as white as a sheet, the two blokes behind him got up, sat back down and one of them said ' Anyway, I said to that foreman, if you think I'm working on Sunday you can think again mate' as if nothing had happened.

He made the war sound like a bit of a laugh, he was rarely serious about it when I asked him questions but I only ever saw the old man cry twice in his life. One was the birth of my brother and the other was watching a episode of The World at War about the Atlantic and Russian Convoys. He saw some terrible things and lost some good mates. One thing he was serious about though was that we went to war so our kids wouldn't have to. Pity it seems to have been in vain.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Great stuff GHG :thumbsup:

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 10 - 1941/42 LOOTING – SOUTHEND’S PLAGUE

PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN BACK
Strong feeling in support of the resumption of secondary school education in Southend was shown by a mass meeting of about 700. At the time of the evacuation things looked pretty black but we can be more assured that the position has improved
From the Southend Standard 23rd October 1941

PARENTS DEMANDS REJECTED
Next spring the government will again encourage evacuation from Southend and impose severe restrictions. The Southend Education Committee decided that the reopening of secondary schools in Southend would be inopportune at the present time.
From the Southend Standard 20th November 1941

BOMBS ON THAMES ESTUARY TOWN
Whole Street Wrecked – One Killed Some Injured – One woman was killed and some people injured when enemy raiders dropped high-explosives on the town on Monday night. A number of houses in one street were damaged beyond repair and less serious damage was done over a wide area. The raiders flew over at low altitude and it is remarkable that the personal injuries were not more considerable, in view that few people had gone to their shelters following on a long period in which the activity had been negligible. The enemy was met with a furious barrage of anti-aircraft gunfire.
From the Southend Standard 27th November 1941

JAPANESE TREACHERY
With the U.S.A. we are now at war against Japan as the immediate reaction to her treacherous attack in the light of peaceful negotiations and we must pursue that war relentlessly.
From the Southend Standard 11th December 1941

GREETINGS TO MOSCOW
Southend Women’s United Message – The message of Greeting signed by 2,000 women read: We women lying in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England send our greetings to you brave women of Moscow.
From the Southend Standard 19th February 1942

HOUSES IN EVACUATED AREAS
A Question in the House of Commons by a local M.P. was asked “about the growing anxiety of many owners of houses in evacuated areas whose mortgage payments and Interest were accruing as many of these persons had to take up war work in other parts of the country or join the Services”
From the Southend Standard 26th February 1942

SOUTHENDS PLAGUE
Soldiers Robberies at Unoccupied Houses – Several Soldiers appeared at Essex Quarter sessions on various charges of housebreaking , store breaking and theft at Southend. The prosecutor said “it is well known many Southend people left the town, leaving their homes fully furnished. Since then the Borough has been plagued by young soldiers breaking into these houses. In these cases the prisoners not only stole a great deal of property but also did a great deal of wanton damage. FIVE SOLDIERS IN COURT Five Soldiers were charged at the Southend Police Court with breaking and entering a house in Southbourne Grove and stealing articles
From the Southend Standard March / June 1942.

900 TONS OF STEEL FROM RAILS
Southend trams which have carried 510,000,000 passengers since they first ran in 1901 disappeared from the streets on Wednesday night and will be superseded by trolley vehicles and omnibuses. There abandonment would provide over 900 tons of steel for munitions.
From the Southend Standard 9th April 1942

SCRAP METAL COLLECTION
Graves in North Road cemetery have been desecrated in the frantic search for scrap metal, the cemetery gates have been removed leaving the sacred ground open to straying animals.
From the Southend Standard 14th May 1942.

BOYS WHO PLAYED WITH GRENADES
Four Wickford boys played in a field with a hand grenade which they had stolen from a military, the boys aged 10 to 13 pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and stealing three hand grenades and 69 caps. It was said they were not wicked just war minded and inquisitive
From the Southend Standard 4th June 1942.

SOUTHEND’S PROBLEMS
Southend’s problems are not unique but they are very lamentable and serious. Apart from any air raid damage and loss of life, we can claim to have been as hard hit as most places” remarked an Alderman. Our geographical position made early and serious attempts for the best protection of the town necessary from the time of Munich. People began to leave the town before the war. Then the crash came, followed by the evacuation of the children. Then the residents were asked to leave their homes and district. In consequence homes were broken up businesses shattered and much of the town was derelict
From the Southend Standard 11th June 1942.

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 11 - 1942 DIFFICULT IN SOUTHEND FOR THOSE THAT STAYED.

ANGLO-SOVIET CELEBRATIONS
A striking demonstration of solidarity and friendship with Britain’s ally, the Soviet Union marked the first event organized through the streets of the town, following by a mass meeting in the playground of Southend Municipal College.
From the Southend Standard 25th June 1942

FEARS OF SOUTHEND TRADERS
Apprehension on the part of Southend Traders who have closed down for the time being that unless they reopen competitors may step in and secure their customers.
From the Southend Standard 2nd July 1942

SOUTHEND FOR RESIDENTS
In an address given at the Palace Hotel it was stated “when I came here it was clear to me I had come to a town that was in a hurry. People were grabbing land as fast as they could. A great deal of speculative building took place and up to the Great War the town prospered exceedingly. We got a great check in the progress after that August raid in 1917 when as a bolt from the blue some thirty people were killed and more taken to hospital, some of whom died subsequently. From that moment you found people becoming somewhat scared and we lost a number of people who never came back. I suppose today we are seeing some of the real effects of the Great War by people leaving the town as they did”
From the Southend Standard 16th July 1942

SOUTHEND AND SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION
Government Still Against Resumption – The Southend Education stated that for the present situation, after consulting the military authorities they do not feel justified to resume provision for secondary education in Southend. Three considerations were emphasized, firstly that the war moves so quickly that circumstances might change, secondly so grave a risk of immediate invasion might easily arise, a third reason was given but in the interest of Southend we do not think this should be published. The Commissioner made it clear that the Government still advise that children should not be brought back.
From the Southend Standard 16th July 1942

EVACUEES AND RATES
A statement regarding rates of residents returning to the town was made and it appears that immediately on return, rates are due although payment could be suspended until the end of the war. It was felt that the threat of legal proceedings might deter the return of residents to the town.
From the Southend Standard 23rd July 1942

WILL NOT SEND CHILDREN BACK
A crowded meeting of parents of secondary school-children decided not to send their children back to the reception areas and to write telling the Southend Education Committee of their decision. A statement made as long ago as June said the Education Committee would make every effort to provide by September secondary education for pupils who desire them to return. That date had since been altered to November and since changed again to “no definite date”.
From the Southend Standard 27th August 1942

MORE STOLEN FURNITURE A 51 year old man, was the subject of a charge concerning the theft of furniture belonging to evacuated people. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour. MARINES ON HOUSEBREAKING CHARGES Two Marines were charged at Southend Police Court with breaking and entering a house in Lymington Avenue, Leigh. One of the defendants said “I have been on the beer lately which caused me to do it”, they were remanded in custody until September 14th.
From the Southend Standard August/ September 1942

RETURNING RESIDENTS’ RATE ARREARS
Southend Town Council is to ask the Government for full relief of rates to ratepayers returning to the Borough in respect of the period during which they were evacuated. The Public notices which were issued in Southend in the summer of 1940 showed that the utmost pressure was brought on people to leave the town. Residents were visited by the Police and strongly urged to get away as soon as possible.
From the Southend Standard 17th September 1942

LEFT WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION
Prittlewell Engineer Fined – An engineer who left his war-work employment in Norfolk without permission in order to supervise his own business in Prittlewell was fined by Southend Justices on Tuesday
From the Southend Standard 1st October 1942

ORDERS TO STOP BLACK MARKET
A street hawker was in ignorance of such matters as controlled prices and this led to a number of summonses at Southend Police Court.
From the Southend Standard 1st October 1942

TAXI TRIP TO NEWMARKET
A Southend taxi driver who drove a bookmaker to Newmarket Races was fined £20 and cost of £5 3s by the Southend Justices on Tuesday for wasting petrol.
From the Southend Standard 15th October 1942

 

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EPISODE 12 – CHRISTMAS 1942

BOMBINGS
THREE KILLED IN BOMB RAIDA German bomber dropped high explosives on Monday morning. One fell in a field behind a hotel and did considerable damage. The remainder of the bombs fell on detached dwellings, three of these were demolished. In one of the houses three people were killed. SHOPS AND OFFICES WRECKED Streaking low an enemy plane bombed the shopping and business centre killing four persons and injuring many more. Shops and offices suffered in a hit-and-run raid which was over in a matter of seconds. People in the streets scrambled for cover as they heard the roar of the plane and the popping of cannon fire. Shortly afterwards came the bombs, evidently aimed at the centre of the town. The cannon fire directed ahead of the plane did little damage and was probably intended to cause panic. The bombs all fell in the centre of town exploding almost together. The crash and vibration were experienced over a wide area as bricks and mortar and dust were hurled high into the air to come pattering down on roofs of the streets. For minutes the air was filled with choking dust which covered the clothes of everyone who was within a distance of 100 yards. ATTEMPT TO BOMB HOSPITAL Crew of Four Killed – A twin-engine German bomber, which swooped out of the clouds, attempted, without success to bomb a hospital in the area. Instead the machine received a burst from anti-aircraft gunners and later came crashing down near Rochford. Four members of the crew were killed. Unfortunately the machine fell on a building and one person was killed and four injured, two of them seriously. No one was killed by the bombs which were dropped and the only damage was to the roofs of bungalows. Exactly a week previous the town was bombed with four killed.
From the Southend standard 29th October 1942

LOOTINGS
23 PRISONERS FOR QUARTER SESSION. Twenty three prisoners are for trial at Southend Quarter Session today and of these twelve are soldiers eleven are accused of housebreaking and larceny and one of sacrilege.SOLDIERS ON LOOTING CHARGE. Six soldiers who were alleged to have stolen a considerable amount of clothing which they had been sent to save from a bomb damaged shop appeared at a Police Court “it is difficult to imagine a more contemptible kind of offence” the solicitor said “Apart from the fact that the value of the property may not be very large the men were employed specifically to safeguard the property they stole”.
From the Southend Standard October 1942

SOUTHEND HIGH SCHOOLS BOY RETURN
Education at Wentworth School - One of the greatest problems which Southend Education Committee is facing to-day is how to accommodate all the secondary school-children who are recommencing their education at Southend. The Southend High School is at present accommodating 400 elementary school-children. In addition part of the school cannot be used owing to bomb damage. So the position is that nearly all the boys have to attend Wentworth Road School. Westcliff High School for Boys – about 300 boys returned also on Tuesday to the Westcliff High School where fourteen forms are receiving lessons from a staff of 21.
From the Southend standard 12th October 1942

IF INVASION COMES – HOW WOMEN CAN HELP
If invasion comes, a woman’s place is not under the table, not behind the door or in a strong mans arms because he would have the job of repelling the invader” this was observed in a meeting at which was described what was being done all over the country to train women in defence measures. The object of the meeting was the formation of a unit in Southend, women were being trained more or less on the same lines as the Home Guard. Some women had become expert in signalling, others took up musketry and there were now 30,000 women who were first class shots and could throw a pretty hand grenade. They were not trained to take up the offensive but to release men for combat duties. They did not ask for rifles and equipment but they asked women to train and learn how to use a rifle if ever the opportunity arose
From the Southend Standard 26 November 1942

FOURTH WAR TIME CHRISTMAS
Merriment Despite Restrictions – Many Old Residents Return – Despite the many war-time restrictions Christmas at Southend was happier than any of three preceding ones since the outbreak of war. Although rationing made parties difficult there was no shortage of commodities except in the way of beers, wines and spirits. In normal times something like 15,000 turkeys are sold in the Borough at Christmas and this year probably around 800 were allocated. Few however found their way onto the shop counters and most were sent to the larger buyers like hotels. Hardly a family went without a special treat on Christmas Day for with large numbers of people keeping rabbits and poultry it was possible to arrange a sale privately between friends. Large numbers of people who evacuated took the opportunity of the holiday to visit their homes.
From the Southend Standard 31st December 1942

 

[OldBlueLady]

Had a catch up with my parents on some of the bits raised in this, found out my dad was evacuated after all, with his mum to Leicester for part of the war. My mum's privately arranged evacuation for the full duration caused problems in her attending school as the only school able to accommodate her near where she was was an RC school so she was taught by nuns for the first few years of school despite being C of E. Also found out that her dad worked during the war on and as a mine sweeper.

 

[Jam_Man]

My parents were born in 1942 and August 1945.

Always found it astonishing that my grandparents had kids at that time. I guess after the battle of Britain and then when the USA joined the chances of invasion had gone, but even so to have babies when everything was so undecided is incredible. Just goes to show what a different world they lived in and what they coped with.

 

[OldBlueLady]

My parents were born in 1942 and August 1945.

Always found it astonishing that my grandparents had kids at that time. I guess after the battle of Britain and then when the USA joined the chances of invasion had gone, but even so to have babies when everything was so undecided is incredible. Just goes to show what a different world they lived in and what they coped with.

My dad was born in 1938 and his brother in 1945 - their parents chose not to continue their family until the war was showing signs of ending.

 

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EPISODE 13 – 1943 KIDS PLAYING WITH GRENADES

DECREASE IN DRUNKENNESS
The lowest record for drunkenness in the county Borough was reported. There was a decrease by sixteen cases during the year 1942 the total number being 37 as against 53 in 1941
From the Southend Standard 11h February 1943

BOMBINGS
DWELLING HOUSES HIT Rats and Table Save Four Lives – During two raids enemy raiders drooped a number of bombs causing damage to property but there were no casualties. Four people had fortunate escapes. In a house two women sheltered under an oak table but where uninjured when the house collapsed on them. A church hall which was demolished, two men had been sleeping on the premises which were used as a store but they left a month ago owing to the presence of rats. Anti-aircraft fire was particularity intense and did much to keep the raiders high. BOMB KILLED THORPE BAY LADY A Thorpe Bay Lady was killed instantaneously when the house in which she was staying received a direct hit She had only been married in April 1940 and there is one baby boy from the marriage.
From the Southend Standard March/April 1943

JUNKERS 88 SHOT DOWN AT BOWERS GIFFORD
Three of Crew Killed – A Junkers 88 burst through the clouds between Pitsea and Bowers Gifford with a couple of spitfires hanging on its tail, blazing away with their guns for all they were worth. The Junkers 88 burst into flames amid the hail of bullets from the machine guns.
From the Southend Standard 13th May 1943

The war was nearing its fourth anniversary and the situation had certainly eased, the fear of invasion was greatly eased for the country and for Southend, yet the government seemed reluctant. No suitable building could be found to re-open the schools until the parents made their feelings felt, 75% wanting their children to return from evacuation, and under public pressure the schools started to re-open. Air raids were still occurring though not as bad as previously and the more they went on the more the residents coped with them. More Southenders returned to find out if their property had been bombed, been broken into or looted, and to add insult to injury they found big rate bills waiting for them on their return for the outstanding rates while they away. Nevertheless the mood was a lot more optimistic, the tide seemed to have turned for Hitler, and there was even talk of “after the war”.

EXPLODING GRENADE INJURES BOY
Accident in Southchurch Garden – An eight year old boy of Belle Vue Road Southchurch was taken to Southend General Hospital on Saturday, suffering from extensive flesh wounds to his face and body caused by shrapnel when a hand grenade with which he was playing exploded. He obtained the hand grenade by exchanging a small magnifying glass for it with another boy.
From the Southend Standard 1st July 1943

MORE AND MORE LOOTINGS and DAMAGE
WAR RESERVE CONSTABLE’S “SYSTEMATIC PILLAGING” Robbed House While on Duty – A Southend War Reserve constable who it was stated had been commended for arresting a man charged with housebreaking and for rescuing people and animals trapped in a bombed building was sentenced to three years penal servitude at the Essex Assize on Monday for stealing, while on duty, a large quantity of furniture, cutlery, bedding, clothing and other household goods from houses in the Borough. He was indicted on eleven counts for looting, stealing articles left exposed or unprotected in consequence of war operations, store breaking and larceny, burglary and being ion possession of housebreaking implements. His own home was found to be very largely furnished with property which was identified as having been stolen from various houses. HOUSEBREAKING AT LEIGH Gunner Charged – A Gunner was charged with breaking and entering houses in Marguerite Drive Leigh and stea. 215 HOUSE BREAKINGS IN SIX MONTHS Army and Civilian Co-operation in Thefts Alleged – A case came up at the Quarter Sessions as being one of the few cases of its kind where there had been an alliance between the military and civilian population. The prosecution added that cases of breaking and entering unoccupied premises in the Borough were becoming so serious that 215 of them were dealt with during the first half of 1943 PETTY THEFTS FROM GARDEN The callous way in which youths are committing wanton damage to property etc. was pointed out at the Southend Police Courts. The season for thefts from gardens, fruit trees etc hasling property to the value of £13 12s 6d. The owners of both houses left the Borough leaving the premises secure commenced again and many children are no respecters of whether property is occupied or not. In fact they approach occupied property through unoccupied gardens. It is most disheartening for people who take pride in their gardens for fences etc. are broken down and other damage caused. A great waste of immature fruit is also occasioned for none of it is really fit to eat yet.
From the Southend Standard February/July 1943

 

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EPISODE 14 - SENT TO PRISON FOR BEING LATE FOR WORK.

CHECK ON TRANSFERS
All employers must give the Ministry of Labour written notification of the ending of an employee’s engagement or when notice to end an engagement is given or received. About 8,000,000 of Britain’s workers have previously been covered but the new order gives the Ministry a check on practically every other worker.
From the Southend Standard 19th August 1943

BOMBINGS
BOMBS BY MOONLIGHT It was shortly before midnight that the planes were heard flying low and fast and one high flying aircraft was held in searchlight beams for several minutes. The raiders were met by a heavy barrage. One example was that a bomb fell in the front garden of a corner house which was completely demolished. The occupant and her ten year old daughter were both asleep upstairs, the little girl was found skipping about on the edge of the bomb crater and clabbering over the rubble which was once her home. She was quite unhurt and said “I was asleep and everything fell. I just climbed out through the bricks and found mummy sitting in the garden calling me”. It is thought her mother was thrown into the garden by the force of the explosion. The air raid shelter a few yards from the bomb crater was covered in debris but otherwise quite intact A.A. SHELL BURSTS ON COLLEGE An anti-aircraft shell struck the front of Leigh Hall College, Chalkwell Avenue, exploded and killed the principal and his secretary who were standing in the porch way in connection with their fire watching duties. It was thought that they were standing on the lawn in front of the college when they heard the shell whistling through the air. They raced for the building and were standing in the porch when the shell tore through the front wall of the college and exploded. Both were killed instantly. Most of the schoolboy boarders were sheltering in the large reinforced basement under the college. 14 HOURS RESCUE WORK Some Killed – Houses Hit – Men of the A.R.P. Rescue Services worked by the glare of flood-lights for 14 hours during Friday night and Saturday morning to rescue four people trapped when an enemy aircraft dived in the moonlight and dropped bombs. The plane was heard circling over the town at a very low altitude in the early evening before releasing its bombs. One heavy bomb exploded on houses and four were completely destroyed and a convent, a Roman Catholic Church, two catholic schools and a Baptist church, two church halls and a pool and many houses received considerable damage.
From the Southend Standard August/December 1943

GIRL DISOBEYED DIRECTION An eighteen year old girl from Southend was brought before the Court for absenting herself without reasonable excuse from work with Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd. She was fined and warned that repetition of the offence would mean serious consequences. The proceedings were brought under regulations prepared for the purpose of dealing with absentees and people persistently late when engaged on work of national importance. LEFT AIRCRAFT FACTORY Said to have left her work at an aircraft factory six months ago without permission, a 22 year old Westcliff woman was for leaving her employment without permission in writing ABSENTEEISM LEADS TO IMPRISONMENT A Southend woman was charged at Southend Police Court for being persistently late for work as a sand-blasters assistant.
From the Southend Standard August/ December 1943

KILLED BY A MINE
Two soldiered were walking along the seashore when they tried to enter a section of the beach by climbing through some barbed wire. The second was about to follow when there was a very loud explosion . He was thrown back about six foot it took him about a minute to recover but their was no trace of the deceased.
From the Southend Standard 26th August 1943

LIVE SHELL AS ORNAMENT
For nearly three years an elderly lady living in Bournemouth Park Road had kept a shell by the fireside, polished the brass case almost daily. She believed it was harmless, but actually it was highly dangerous and might have exploded at any minute. The missile had been brought from Dunkirk.
From the Southend Standard16th September 1943

MAN AND WIFE ON STEALING CHARGE
A man and wife from Southchurch were told by the bench that they were sorry for them in regard to their circumstances when they pleaded guilty of stealing 56 lbs of potatoes. It was stated that the male defendant was discharged from the Army as medically unfit.
From the Southend Standard 14th October 1943

FIFTH WINTER OF WAR
“The optimists are, I fear, going to be proved wrong again. There is not and never has been any evidence that the war will be over by Christmas” writes the Bishop of Chelmsford “There are those that still think a German collapse might happen t any time, but there is no real evidence of such a thing. We must steel ourselves for a fifth winter of war and it may well be a hard time for us”.
From the Southend Standard 28th October 1943