How our Parents/Grandparents coped with the War.

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 15 - YET MORE BOMBINGS, YET MORE LOOTINGS and KIDS BUYING BOMBS?

BOMBINGS
CRASHING RAIDER MISSES HOSPITAL BUILDINGS One of a group of raiders crashed in the grounds of a hospital. It ran into a veritable inferno of flak and burst into flames at a great height and rapidly fell earthwards a blazing mass just missing the hospital. HEAVIST FIRE RAID When a large number of incendiary bombs and a stick of heavy phosphorous bombs were rained down, disaster by fire was averted only by prompt and efficient action during the raid a constant procession of planes was heard droning over the area for some time indicating to many people the heaviest force of enemy aircraft to pass over since the days of the Battle of Britain. The raiders were met by a heavy barrage of A.A. fire and for those who had time to notice it, the night sky was transformed into a lethal “Brock’s Benefit” THREE KILLED IN ESTUARY RAID Shops and Houses Destroyed Three people were killed and two injured when enemy aircraft dropped high-explosive, incendiary and phosphorous bombs. It is estimated that about 70 enemy machines took part in the raid of which eight were destroyed. The most severe damage was caused in a thickly populated part when a heavy bomb made a direct hit on a row of shops in a main road. Three of the shops were completely demolished, nothing was left but a huge jagged pile of debris while at the back of one, an air-raid shelter complete with green foliage on top was standing intact. ANDERSON SHELTERS PROVE THEIR WORTH In one case a whole container of incendiary bombs fell in the back garden of a cottage. Though the family were safe in the Anderson Shelter the husband was not and when he heard the container falling he flung himself to the floor. The container made a crater about twelve feet in diameter. INCENDIARES NEAR ESTUARY TOWN During night raids numbers of incendiary bombs were seen to fall while enemy aircraft were being engaged by the ground defences. It was announced that 13 enemy planes were destroyed RAIDERS DESTROYED OVER ESTUARY Two Airmen Captured – At least two of the nine enemy planes which were shot down during mornings raid on the London area crashed in the Thames estuary district. One fell in the sea and the other landed on the outskirts of the Borough. One member of the crew, who baled out, was captured by the Police in a boulevard near a golf course and was removed to a voluntary hospital. A second member was caught in a field not far from where the plane crashed. Two other bodies were recovered from the wreckage.
From the Southend Standard January/May 1944

LOOTINGS
BROKE INTO HOUSE AT LEIGH Three soldiers pleaded guilty at the Essex assize to breaking and entering a house in Leigh. One of the men had seven previous convictions, and another four. One man was bound over for two years, another was sent to Borstal for three years and the other sentenced to six months imprisonment. SOLDIER FOUND BY HOUSEHOLDER A Leigh householder let a soldier go when he found him in his house in the early hours but the man was traced by the police and appeared before the courts. MORE STORE BREAKING CHARGES Two Marines were remanded in custody to appear with two sailors previously remanded when they were charged with breaking and entering. Seaman Remanded A similar charge was made against a leading seaman. The defendant said “I just went into the house in devilment because we heard that no one was watching it”. SAILORS ON STORE BREAKING CHARGE Found crouching near a fence at the rear of a shop at Warrior Square, Southend two sailors were brought before the Court charged with breaking in.
From the Southend Standard January/May 1944

BOYS DROP BOMBS FROM ROOF
Sold Incendiary for 2s 6d – A story of incendiary bombs bartered among Westcliff schoolboys who dropped the bombs eight feet from a garage roof to make them explode was told when five boys aged between 14 and 15 appeared before the chairman. One of the boys stated “I stood on top of our garage and dropped it onto the path. The first one did not go off so I dropped a second. It exploded when it hit the path. We got the bombs from two little children about eight or nine who got them from a field near the church”. Two boys tried to keep the flames down with dirt. The boy added that three boys had offered to sell a bomb for 2s 6d.
From the Southend Standard 23rdMarch 1944

BOY HURT BY EXPLOSION
A fourteen year old boy of Westcliff received extensive injuries when an object he had found exploded when he tampered with it. Part of the boy’s left hand was blown off and he sustained wounds to the body.
From the Southend Standard 13th April 1944

UNLAWFULL USE OF BINOCULARS
The Mayor Admits he has Offended - “I am an offender also because I did not have any knowledge of the regulations” remarked the Mayor when a summons was heard under the regulations for regulated areas prohibiting the use of binoculars without a permit. A Westcliff man said he had been looking at shipping, he did not think it was necessary to have a permit. The Defendant said he wished to apologise to the Court, the Chief Constable and anybody else who had sleepless nights because of his actions.
From the Southend Standard 4th May 1944

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 16 - DOODLEBUGS

6th June 1944 -Day Allied trrops land in France. The tide certainly seemed to have turned in favour of the Allies and thoughts were turning to after the war, soldiers were being repatriated from prisoner of war camps and the full horror stories of personal experiences were coming to life. Having said that there were still the dangers of air raids and while not to the same extent as previously they could not be ignored. Perhaps the biggest worry was Southend children playing with bombs and live ammunition, which they either found, stole bought or swapped, or perhaps it was the continual stream of housebreaking and vandalism, and children were responsible for some of this . Many children knew only of war time and seemed to be obsessed by it, how would they cope with life after the war?

GIRL WHO LEFT WORK
Told that she was not permitted to choose for herself an 18 year old girl from Southend was fined for leaving work at the Midland Mills, Bradford without permission. She told the interviewing officer that she was determined not to return to Bradford.
From the Southend Standard18th May 1944

LOOTING
A Private was charged with breaking and entering a store in Westcliff when the defendant was charged he said “I am definitely guilty”, he was remanded in custody ANOTHER SOLDIER REMANDED Charged with breaking into a house in Southend a private was brought before the court two soldiers have already been remanded in connection with the same offence. The house had been ransacked and the defendant stated “I went in there with the others when I was drunk”. BOYS BROKE INTO HOUSE Two Southend boys aged 12 and 15 years pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking and entering a house in and stealing
From the Southend Standard May/July 1944

DOODLEBUGS – The V1 and V2 flying bombs also known as “Buzz Bombs” were developed by the Germans as an unmanned long range missile which made a droning noise but when the noise stopped their was approximately fifteen seconds to escape the powerful blast that followed. They bought terror and panic to the civilian population, and although largely aimed at London many didn’t make their destination. Originally they were launched from static sites in France but after they were overrun they continued from mobile carriers in Holland. Some 2,000 barrage balloons were used in the hope that the flying bombs would get caught in the cables and explode. The V2 was larger and flew out of reach of the Anti Aircraft guns but fewer of these were launched.

FOUR KILLED BY FLY-BOMB Four persons were killed by a flying bomb which fell on the a single man and two schoolchildren met their death instantaneously and a 17 year old newsagents assistant died in hospital.
Many of the robot projectiles sent over Southern England by the Nazis have fallen harmlessly on farm land causing neither damage nor casualties. Some bungalows however were destroyed and there were fatalities
From the Southend Standard 22nd June 1944

£242 ARREARS FOR WAR DAMAGE
Summoned at Southend Police Court for not paying war damage insurance contributions a Southend man was fined. It was stated that he would soon have to face claims for 1943 and 1944.
From the Southend Standard 22nd June 1944

POLICE VISIT CINEMAS
Squads of Southend Police visited the Gaumont and Strand cinemas, Southend during the evening performances one day last week to check national registration certificates and identity cards. The check was merely carried out to try and trace those who were evading military service
From the Southend Standard 22nd June 1944

BOYS STOLE AMMUNITION
Three 12 year old boys admitted stealing 1,137 rounds of ammunition. Each boy took about six boxes of bullets and hid them in a chimney in an empty house. Army Lorries Robbed - Two Southend boys aged 11 and ten admitted that they had stolen 56 rounds of Sten gun ammunition, three rounds of .303 ammunition, 36 blank cartridges, two Sten gun magazines and a Sten gun loader from an army lorry.
From the Southend Standard 29th June/July 1944

FAILED TO EXPLODE
A bomb which failed to explode but sank into the ground when it fell on marsh land has not yet been recovered. A few families living in houses adjoining the land on which the bomb fell were advised to leave the area and stay with friends. They are still away but efforts are being made to recover the missile.
From the Southend Standard 13th July 1944

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 17 - DON’T PICK UP STRANGE OBJECTS

“NO BEER” HOLIDAY
If there was one outstanding feature of Southend’s August Bank holiday it was the universal shortage of supplies of beer throughout the Borough.
From the Southend Standard 10th August 1944

LOOTINGS
Said to have kept watch outside a shop while three of his friends robbed it, a nine year old Westcliff boy appeared before the Juvenile Court.
From the Southend Standard August 1944

DOODLEBUGS
FIVE IN ONE FAMILY KILLED Nine fatal victims of a flying bomb which fell behind a row of houses included two babies and some children. Rescue workers formed chains and passed debris from hand to hand in baskets as they cleared a way to trapped families. Most of the residents had no time to get to their shelters FLYING BOMBS ON VILLAGES A flying bomb fell on the outskirts of a village on Sunday causing slight damage and minor casualties. Another missile fell on farm land on Monday causing no damage of any consequence. FIREMAN KILLED BY SHELL SPLINTER A member of the N.F.S. was standing in the back garden of his home on Saturday evening when he was struck in the side by a shell splinter. He died soon afterwards. Anti-aircraft guns were firing at flying bombs, travelling overhead at the time. FLY-BOMBS, BUT NO DAMAGE Heinke-launched flying bombs met a terrific reception from ground forces on Sunday night and some were prevented from reaching their objectives. One exploded in mid air and parts fell over a wide area. FLYING BOMB KILLS FOUR – A sudden attack by flying bombs resulted in four people killed and five seriously injured. Other people received minor injuries. The bomb which landed behind a row of houses demolished two of them and shattered others making most of them unfit for habitation. FLYING BOMB KILLS THREE Three people killed and others seriously injured when a flying bomb demolished houses in an urban area. Rescue squads spent all night in a downpour of rain digging amongst the ruins. In addition to people seriously injured and still detained in hospital, several received minor wounds. MAN KILLED BY V-BOMB One man was killed and eleven taken to hospital when a bomb exploded in a back garden and destroyed houses in an urban area.
From the Southend Standard August/November 1944

WAR DAMAGE ARREARS
“I have suffered by enemy action five times” said a man when he was summoned for arrears of the War Damage Contribution Scheme.
From the Southend Standard 14th September 1944

DESERTER GETS SIX MONTHS
A sentence of six months imprisonment was imposed on a 26 year old gunner said to be a deserter from the Army at Southend Police Court. .The defendant had previous convictions for housebreaking and larceny.
From the Southend Standard 14th September 1944

NEW BLACK-OUT REGULATIONS
The relaxations in the blackout restrictions which came into force on Sunday, residents need only draw ordinary curtains at night except when the warning siren has sounded. The curtains must prevent the outlines of objects in a room being seen from the outside. In the dim-out districts around Southend residents generally were slow to take advantage of the new regulation.
From the Southend Standard 21st September 1944

MILITARY TO DE-REQUISTION HOUSES
The release of 700 houses in Southend previously requisitioned by the military authoritie, were reported at Southend Town Council Meeting
From the Southend Standard 19th October 1944

DON’T PICK UP STRANGE OBJECTS
A tragic warning to children not to pick up unidentified objects which they chance upon when playing, was given by the coroner at the inquest of a seven year old Shoebury boy who received fatal injuries when an object believed to be a cannon shell thrown by a playmate exploded.
From the Southend Standard 16th November1944

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 18 – THE WAR NOT OVER BUT LIFE STARTING TO RETURN

WAR DAMAGE COMPENSATION
Many houses and bungalows in districts such as Southend were falling into disrepair because their owners could not afford to repair them without the aid of compensation.
From the Southend Standard 21st December1944

YEAR OF ACHEIVEMENT
Sunday next will see the end of the year 1944 and though many will be disappointed that it has not brought peace in Europe a large area of the Continent of Europe has been freed since D-Day just over six months ago Home Guard Stand Down : The stand down of the Home Guard was one of the features of the year and the final parades at Southend took place on December 3rd
From the Southend Standard 28th December1944

MORE V-BOMBS
Minor damage and a small number of slight casualties were caused when a V-Bomb fell during the afternoon in a field in a rural area behind an avenue which had already suffered in the first blitz, and which had since been unoccupied most of the houses being damaged or demolished beyond repair. V-BOMB DAMAGE When a V-Bomb blew up in a field near a main road a number of passengers in a double decker omnibus passing were among the thirty odd casualties. Ten passengers as well as the driver and the conductress were taken to hospital. MORE V-BOMBS During recent V-Bomb attacks a bomb fell near a well known hostelry. V-BOMBS IN COUNTRY Two of the V-Bombs sent over recently fell on farm land. But another bomb killed a farmer. TWO KILLED BY V-BOMB A V-Bomb which fell near some bungalows killed two persons and seriously injured another. MIRACULOUS ESCAPES IN V-BOMB RAID Three ladies, two of them widows, miraculously escaped death but sustained serious injuries when a V-Bomb fell outside their house, The building collapsed in a heap of debris but the women were soon extricated by rescue workers and were rushed to hospital
From the Southend Standard January/March 1945

PARTISAN KIDNAPPING ALLEGATION
Allegations that he was kidnapped at Southend by Yugoslav Partisans have been made by a Yugoslav officer.
From the Southend Standard 8th February 1945

DIM-OUT FOR SOUTHEND
All except Sea-Front Area De-Restricted –There is no need to black-out completely on the sounding of the Alert. The dim-out has now replaced the black-out and under the present regulations the dim out complies with the requirements under the circumstances.
From the Southend Standard 8th March 1945

WAR CREDITS FOR DISCHARGED SOLDIERS
An M.P. urged that something should be done to hasten the payment of war credits to discharged soldiers. “These fellows see others who have continued in work all the time, prosperous and with decent homes while they themselves find perhaps that they have nothing but a few sticks on a burnt out fire and no money, If the war office would get a little more “move on” it would do a great deal of good”.
From the Southend Standard 22nd March 1945

PIER RE-OPENS TODAY
The section of Southend Pier which has been released for public use will be opened today. For the present the tramway is not available for the public but negotiations are proceeding. Fishing will be allowed from the pier each day from 9 a.m. to sunset.
From the Southend Standard 29th March 1945

RETURN OF EVACUEES
Adult evacuees and families who took the Government advice and left after the end of May 1940 because of the risk of invasion, can now if they wish obtain official help to return to their homes
From the Southend Standard 29th March 1945

PURFLEET-DARTFORD TUNNEL
At the Essex County Council Meeting, the Ministry of War Transport stated that high priority would be given on the work of the completion of the Purfleet-Dartford tunnel.
From the Southend Standard 5th April 1945

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 19 - WAR OVER AND VIGILANTEES

TREASURE TROVE FOR BOMBED OUT
For those whose homes have been lost or damaged through enemy action there is a veritable treasure trove of clothing and furniture at the Corporation Depot in Grainger Road. Stacked along racks all round the walls and piled high on the floor are hundreds of household articles from tiny ornaments to settees and armchairs.
From the Southend Standard 26th April 1945

VE DAY IN SOUTHEND AND DSITICT
VE Day in Southend and district was received with much thankfulness and very little excitement. The gradual collapse of the Nazis and the realization throughout the previous week that the end of the war in Europe was imminent prevented any sudden release of pent-up emotion and consequently there were no scenes of enthusiasm no traffic disorganization and no mobs to controlIn cinemas the news was flashed on the screen to be received with a burst of cheering which quickly subsided however as the film continued
From the Southend Standard 9th May 1945

SOUTHEND UNDER ROCKET FIRE
The story can now be told of Southend’s experience in the terror rocket attacks launched by the Nazis in September 1944 when mysterious violent explosions in the vicinity, unaccompanied by the sound of any aeroplane or flying bomb were explained away as exploding gas mains. This myth did not last long and it soon became clear that Hitler had launched his long heralded V2 rockets. Southend was one of the first towns in the country to experience a rocket at close quarters for early in October one of the huge missiles exploded in the soft mud of the foreshore about 70 yards west of the Pier. The explosion coming without warning was terrific and had the rocket fallen a few hundred yards inland the damage and casualties would have been severe. Thereafter the intensity of the bombardment increased there were not many hours of the day or night at which Southenders did not hear the explosions of rockets but nearly all fell outside the town. Damage was done at Hockley, Rayleigh, Canvey, Laindon, Battlesbridge, Wickford, Nevendon, Canewdon, Great Wakering and many other places. As the allies advanced it the Nazis sent over as many V-weapons as they could and on March 29th there were 13 air raid warnings in the night and early morning.
From the Southend Standard 9th May 1945

V-2 ROCKETS were planned and designed before the war but weren’t in production until 1944 and were first launched in September, they were the world’s first ballistic missiles. The threat was horrendous each rocket could make a crater twenty metres wide eight metres deep and throw up 3,000 tons of material into the air, but false intelligence passed from the British implied that the rockets were overshooting their targets and as a result many fell harmlessly on farmland. After the Allied advances in March the range of the rockets could not reach London and therefore East Anglia including Southend took the brunt of the attacks. Over 3,000 V-2 rockets were launched largely at Southern England and Antwerp.

SHOEBURYNESS BEACH
Shoeburyness beach is to be opened after 4.30 p.m. daily on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Certain firings still take place in that area and as long as the public will not trespass into the danger areas there is no reason why this should not be permanent .
From the Southend Standard 17th May 1945

CHILD EVACUEES HOME
Almost a “forgotten colony” Southend’s children who have been evacuated to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire for the last five years have started coming home. Amongst the children who have already returned are those who have been staying at Mansfield Notts., Whaley Bridge, New Mills and Ashbourne Derby. On Friday a party is arriving from the Southwell district, Swadlincote and from Repton by L.N.E.R. and on Tuesday others will return from the Blackwell and Sutton-in Ashfield districts by L.M.S.
From the Southend Standard 28th June 1945

VIGILANTES OPERATE IN SOUTHEND
A number of local ex-Service men have banded together to use their own methods to alleviate housing conditions in Southend. Incensed at seeing many houses to be sold at rocketing prices standing empty, while hundreds of families in dire need of homes of their own, the ex-Servicemen’s Vigilantes as they have called themselves are determined to take over some of the empty property and move in deserving cases of ex-Servicemen’s and workers families. VIGILANTES IN ACTION Service Men’s Wives Installed at Westcliff – The Vigilantes of Southend made their first “strike” on Saturday and installed the wives of two Service men in an unoccupied house in Windsor Road, Westcliff. They were the wives of an R.A.F. man just sent overseas and of a man wounded three times and now serving in Italy. We Are on the Warpath – It was claimed that the Vigilantes would end the “racket in house property” by which the public were being exploited. The Landlords Views - They consider the new occupants as trespassers and intend to seek legal advice
From the Southend Standard 26th July 1945


Final episode on Wednesday well done to anyone that ploghed through the lot!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Final episode on Wednesday well done to anyone that ploghed through the lot!

You make it sound like a hardship, I've certainly enjoyed reading it!

 

[South Bucks Shrimper]

Great stuff. My Mum was one of those who returned from Mansfield in June 1945 :smile:. She was one of 22 who attended a reunion lunch last month.

 

[canveyshrimper]

You make it sound like a hardship, I've certainly enjoyed reading it!

Seconded, thoroughly enjoyed reading them Pete.

 

[DoDTS]

EPISODE 20 - GETTING BACK TO PEACE

A NEARLY DRY WEEKEND
Chiefly through the non delivery of supplies from London breweries because of men having holidays on the two VJ days Southend and district experienced a nearly dry weekend so far as liquid refreshment was concerned. Not only many licensed premises but certain clubs had to shut their doors over the weekend while some public houses had to shut from Friday to Monday while others were as late as Wednesday before opening. There was also a great shortage of cigarettes and tobacco in the Borough for the same reason.
From the Southend Standard 23rd August 1945

SOUTHEND CELEBRATES VICTORY
Bonfires, Parties, Dancing, Singing – Despite the lack of any organized victory celebrations in the town as a whole, Southenders left to their own devices banded themselves into boisterous merry crowds and in two hectic nights last week released all the pent up emotions of six years of war. During the days on VJ and VJ1 days the town became garlanded with flags and multi coloured bunting. The fun carried on well past midnight into the early hours of the morning. Public houses, hotels, clubs etc were packed to suffocation and most of them ran out of supplies comparatively early in the evening.
From the Southend Standard 23rd August 1945

SEQUEL TO VIGILANTIES ACTION
Westcliff Man Summoned to County Court – After two months occupation in Summercourt Road, Westcliff where he was installed by “vigilantes” a man was summoned when the landlord will seek repossession The man told of a visit to Southend Housing Department but he was told that nothing could be done for him as he still had a roof over his head.
From the Southend Standard 13th September 1945

CRIME IN ESSEX
It is a significant fact that following serious wars there is generally a large increase in crime. It is understandable and perhaps natural that one cannot let loose the forces of barbarity, brutality and the taking of life without it having recrudescence everywhere. Crime has more than doubled since 1938 necessitating extra constables being engaged in most divisions and the number of indictable offences has increased from 6,730 to 12,558.
From the Southend Standard 20th September 1945

THE PIER
The Thames Naval Control has de-requisitioned the whole of the Pier, including the Pier Head and the King George Extension to the universal satisfaction of residents and visitors, especially anglers who so far have had a pretty thin time on that part of the pier that was open to them. We hope the pier Committee will speedily put the newly de-requisitioned part into a state of repair in which it can be used.
From the Southend Standard 4th October 1945

SECRET RADAR STATION AT CANEWDON
In the crisis year of 1938 the tiny village of Canewdon (population 850) not far from Southend was invaded by scores of R.A.F. technicians all working under high pressure. Then huge towers sprang up. For miles around people could see a graceful mesh of steel threading 360 feet in the air and others of timber stretching straight up for 240 feet. When the full story of Radar came out a few weeks ago it was stated that and Canewdon was one of the first Radar stations to be set up to form a complete chain around the coasts of Great Britain. In view of the importance of these Radar stations it is not surprising that the enemy tried more than once to put these stations out of action. Canewdon was fortunate, bombs, flying bombs and rockets fell all round the site but it was not once damaged. From the Southend Standard 4th October 1945

SECRET OF WALLASEA BAY
M.T.B.S Built on Crouch – Far out in the Essex lowlands which are watered by the River Crouch a narrow twisting road threads through the bleak countryside to a stretch of river known as Wallasea Bay. This has been home to one of the star boat building organizations one which has earned a reputation as a record breaking producers of high speed Motor Torpedo Boats and other war craft. The 160 odd men employed there all coming from Southend or district produced motor gun boats and motor torpedo boats which were a match for the enemy E-boats. The loneliness of the spot meant that the station became a self contained township.
From the Southend Standard 8th November 1945

NEWS WANTED OF DEATHS
A woman of North Road, Southend would be grateful if any ex-prisoners of war could give her news of her husband who was reported to have died of beriberi while a prisoner in Thailand. A couple of Sweyne Avenue Southend have received news that their son died from an unknown cause on June 4th 1943 in A Japanese prisoner of war camp in Thailand. They would be grateful for any information. A couple of Kimberley Road, Little Wakering have received news of the death of their son at a prison camp in Sumatra on the 8th April 1945. He had been a prisoner since the fall of Singapore and his parents would be grateful for any information of him.
From the Southend Standard 29th November 1945.

INVASION FRUSTRATED
Establishment of H.M.S. Westcliff – The second half of 1940 saw the development and frustration of the enemy’s threat of invasion. Britain herself shorn of land weapons and only the “few” to protect her from the air, looked and not in vain to the historic defence of the Royal Navy to keep her foes at bay. In compliance with general orders for defence against invasion issued by the Admiralty in line with the physical obstructions which were erected by the military authorities on land and the steps taken by them to demolish the Pier in case of necessity a very large number of “knife rests” were placed by the Navy in the shallow water and on the sandbanks from Thorpe Bay to Leigh. The object of these curiously shaped tubular obstructions was to prevent the approach of enemy shallow draft vessels, E-boats and small fast landing craft as well as to make it impossible for enemy aeroplanes to land off the Southend Beaches.
From the Southend Standard 6th December 1945

HOUSING
At the Southend Trades Council meeting last week it was sated that there is a need for a 1,000 permanent houses and flats and they thought there should be an extension of existing requisitioning powers as regards empty property. It was also stated that there are nearly 6,000 applicants for houses in the Borough and what the corporation now proposed was unlikely to provide for more than a quarter of the applicants and the Trades Council proposals would only meet the needs of 3,200.
From the Southend Standard 13th December 1945.

PEACE TIME CHRISTMAS
The first peace time Christmas since 1938 but except that we have now ceased to undergo the terrors of war, there will be but little difference from the austerely of the last six years. One benefit will be that lights are now permissible to relieve the December darkness. Food is still scarce and rationed poultry very difficult to obtain and in the experience of the majority there is little improvement in the supply of alcoholic refreshment, especially spirits which seem scarcer than ever. The first peace time Christmas however will a unique experience for a large number of trades people and their assistants of shutting down for four days including Christmas Eve which used to be regarded as the busiest days of the year.
From the Southend Standard 20th December 1945

WEAPONS POUR INTO POLICE STATIONS
In response to the national appeal large numbers of revolvers, pistols, rifles, machine guns and quantities of ammunition have been handed into police Stations in the Borough. There will be no prosecutions of persons who voluntary hand over weapons before march 31st
From the Southend Standard 21st March 1946

ADMIRALTY LEAS BARRIER GOES
The H.M.S. Westcliff barrier across the Leas, Westcliff which prevented through traffic along the front was removed and motorists are now allowed to use the carriageway available alongside the store huts.
From the Southend Standard 4th April 1946

FIRST PRE-FAB BUNGALOWS OPENED
Tthe first Government pre-fabricated temporary bungalow which has been completed in the Borough is in Alton Gardens, Prittlewell, off of Manners Way near the aerodrome where a mushroom town of nearly 200 “pre-fabs” have been springing up. They have two bedrooms, living room, modern bathroom, fine kitchenette etc.
From the Southend Standard 4th April 1946


Thats it, thats your lot, thanks for reading.