Cobham during World War 11
I was just six years old when war broke out. I remember the day very well. My Father was a coal merchant and was about to deliver to our neighbouring village of Cuxton when he drove his lorry fully laden into The Leather Bottle car park. I used to enjoy going with him, but on this day he told me to stay in the lorry whilst he and his employee, Stan Royce from Dabbs Place went indoors to hear an urgent message being broadcast on the radio. Evidently the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain announced that we were at war with Poland. On receiving this news, Stan Royce ran into the car park, bundled me under his arm and ran into my home where I was told that I would not be going to Cuxton.
There are many things that I do not remember due to my young age, but much of what happened in our village over the years 1939 - 1945 I remember very well.
Firstly the Army moved into Lodge Lane where four anti-aircraft guns were positioned, and a searchlight was positioned in the Meadow Rooms field. This searchlight would look for enemy bombers whilst the guns fired, but I cannot recall any being shot down.
The RAF moved into Ashenbank Wood. They were the crew for the Air Station at Thong Lane, now known as River View Park. The RAF was also at the far end of Lodge Lane, a small squad who were vehicle maintenance fitters.
The Navy moved into the Laughing Waters complex, now known as The Inn on the Lake. They were attached to Chatham Dockyard.
There was a Home Guard set up of village people and an Observer Corps Station situated just South of Parsonage Farm. My Father was a member and had to report for duty at various times during the week. Also there was an underground shelter built in the road end of the school field. This was occupied by the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) and after the war it was used for Scouts and Cubs.
The Sergeant Major at Lodge Lane Camp was Jack Button who would roar “fire” when the enemy aircraft were overhead. Also there was a Gunner Norman - he was quite a character and organised concerts where villagers were invited to attend.
The Commanding Officer of the RAF was Wing Commander Frampton. He resided at The Leather Bottle Hotel and was quite friendly with my Father.
As the war progressed we were suddenly introduced to Germany's flying bomb, known as the Doodle Bug. They were aimed at London from their launch pads in France. They were filled with just enough fuel so that the engine would cut out over London where it would crash and cause severe damage with its load of explosives.
To overcome this hazard, barrage balloons were sited in Cobham at various locations - such as the School Field, by the hop ;kiln in Battle Street, one at Rookery comer
and another at Sole Street. These were mainly ineffective as the VI Doodle Bug seemed to pass over the top of them.
There were two small bombs that fell in Cobham, both in the Pump Meadow Field and caused no damage. There was also a landmine that blasted an enormous hole in the nut plantation situated in the fields between Cobham and Sole Street.
A Wellington bomber lost its way in the foggy conditions on its return from Poland (further amendments awaiting inclusion). It circled Cobham several times before crashing into houses at Henhurst killing a female occupant. Also two ladies working on farmland near Gravesend Airport were killed when an aircraft failed to take off, overshot and killed them whilst they worked.
When the war finished all service personnel left and their accommodation in Ashenbank Wood and Lodge Lane were taken over by homeless people where they stayed until a house building programme was started at Lawrence Drive and at Higham.
The village Public Houses went back to normal but they enjoyed a very good trade during the war years.
I was just six years old when war broke out. I remember the day very well. My Father was a coal merchant and was about to deliver to our neighbouring village of Cuxton when he drove his lorry fully laden into The Leather Bottle car park. I used to enjoy going with him, but on this day he told me to stay in the lorry whilst he and his employee, Stan Royce from Dabbs Place went indoors to hear an urgent message being broadcast on the radio. Evidently the Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain announced that we were at war with Poland. On receiving this news, Stan Royce ran into the car park, bundled me under his arm and ran into my home where I was told that I would not be going to Cuxton.
There are many things that I do not remember due to my young age, but much of what happened in our village over the years 1939 - 1945 I remember very well.
Firstly the Army moved into Lodge Lane where four anti-aircraft guns were positioned, and a searchlight was positioned in the Meadow Rooms field. This searchlight would look for enemy bombers whilst the guns fired, but I cannot recall any being shot down.
The RAF moved into Ashenbank Wood. They were the crew for the Air Station at Thong Lane, now known as River View Park. The RAF was also at the far end of Lodge Lane, a small squad who were vehicle maintenance fitters.
The Navy moved into the Laughing Waters complex, now known as The Inn on the Lake. They were attached to Chatham Dockyard.
There was a Home Guard set up of village people and an Observer Corps Station situated just South of Parsonage Farm. My Father was a member and had to report for duty at various times during the week. Also there was an underground shelter built in the road end of the school field. This was occupied by the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) and after the war it was used for Scouts and Cubs.
The Sergeant Major at Lodge Lane Camp was Jack Button who would roar “fire” when the enemy aircraft were overhead. Also there was a Gunner Norman - he was quite a character and organised concerts where villagers were invited to attend.
The Commanding Officer of the RAF was Wing Commander Frampton. He resided at The Leather Bottle Hotel and was quite friendly with my Father.
As the war progressed we were suddenly introduced to Germany's flying bomb, known as the Doodle Bug. They were aimed at London from their launch pads in France. They were filled with just enough fuel so that the engine would cut out over London where it would crash and cause severe damage with its load of explosives.
To overcome this hazard, barrage balloons were sited in Cobham at various locations - such as the School Field, by the hop ;kiln in Battle Street, one at Rookery comer
and another at Sole Street. These were mainly ineffective as the VI Doodle Bug seemed to pass over the top of them.
There were two small bombs that fell in Cobham, both in the Pump Meadow Field and caused no damage. There was also a landmine that blasted an enormous hole in the nut plantation situated in the fields between Cobham and Sole Street.
A Wellington bomber lost its way in the foggy conditions on its return from Poland (further amendments awaiting inclusion). It circled Cobham several times before crashing into houses at Henhurst killing a female occupant. Also two ladies working on farmland near Gravesend Airport were killed when an aircraft failed to take off, overshot and killed them whilst they worked.
When the war finished all service personnel left and their accommodation in Ashenbank Wood and Lodge Lane were taken over by homeless people where they stayed until a house building programme was started at Lawrence Drive and at Higham.
The village Public Houses went back to normal but they enjoyed a very good trade during the war years.
RSS Feed
