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The 1940’s Society, 90 Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2UXTel: 01732 452505 Web: www.1940.co.uk Email: magazine@1940.co.uk

The 1940s SocietyFor Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

May / June 2012Issue 73 £3.00

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I left the house on Thursday and was rather shocked to walk out into a dry, sunny street. Not something we’ve been used to this last month or so but a welcome change from the seemingly constant rain that we’ve been enduring. I know we need the rain but lets hope we get something of a summer this year. Despite the poor weather there have been other ‘rays of sunshine’ to cheer me up. I’m delighted to announce that at long last the 1940s Society website has undergone a major redesign and is now up and running. Please do take a look. The address (which I’m sure you all know) is www.1940.co.uk. The web site does still need a little work but it will be easier to update and our next challenge is to add far more content. There is also a dedicated Members area with extra content, videos, magazine back issues and special offers. I will be rolling this out and sending members their access details in the near future. Do have a look at the site and let me know what you think.

I’m sure that you are aware of the big increase in postage costs that are now in place. This obviously has an impact on the Society and has prompted an overhaul of membership. Please be aware that if your membership has not been renewed then this will be your last issue. Please renew and help to support the Society.

Thank you all for your continued support and please continue to send items and articles for the magazine as well as your comments and suggestions

Ian

If you have any comments, articles or information of interest we would be pleased to consider it for future use. Please contact us at: The 1940’s Society, 90, Lennard Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2UX or email us at: magazine@1940.co.uk .

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part and in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited without the prior permission of the editor. Whilst every care is taken with material submitted to ‘The 1940s Society”, no responsibility can be accepted for loss or damage. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the 1940s Society.

Whilst every effort has been made to contact all copyright holders, the sources of some pictures that may be used are obscure. The publishers will be glad to make good in future editions any error or omissions brought to their attention. The publication of any quotes or illustrations on which clearance has not been given is unintentional.

Designed and produced by Ian Bayley. . © Ian Bayley 2012

On the Bright Side

Please support the Society with a subscription on-line at www.1940.co.uk or fill out and return the form on the back of this magazine.

The 1940s SocietyFor Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks

Friday 25th May 2012 - 8pm

Friendly meetings learning more about life in the 1940’s. Meetings start at 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall, Nr. Sevenoaks.

Admission £3. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 orvisit the Web Site at: www.1940.co.uk

Careless Talk Costs LivesArt & Design of The Home Front

James TaylorDiscover the ingenious artists and designers who created the popular and enduring images of public information during World War II for campaigns such as: Dig For Victory, Lend A Hand On the Land, Is Your Journey Necessary, Make Do and Mend & Keep Calm and Carry On.

Featuring posters and paintings by Evelyn Dunbar, James Fitton, Abram Games, Hans Schelger (Zero), Dame Laura Knight and the story of the brilliant Cyril Kenneth Bird (Fougasse) who devised Careless Talk Costs Lives.

James Taylor MA (Hons) FRSAFormerly Head of Victorian Paintings at Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers, he was for ten years curator of paintings, drawings and prints, exhibition organiser and Corporate Membership Manager at the National Maritime Museum (NMM). Co-organiser of the SeaPower Gallery at the NMM that featured a selection of the First and Second World War art collections. From 1999 he has been a freelance art consultant, exhibition organiser, author and lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies (NADFAS).

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Fifty-nine nations were represented at the last London Olympics by over 4,000 competitors in 19 sports and in the arts. Carol Harris looks at how food for the athletes, transport to the games and ticket sales all caused headaches for the organisers of the Austerity Olympics of London in 1948.

Austerity Olympics 1948

www.1940.co.uk

For music, books, and a variety of other wartime

related items

New selection of posters now available

For a second year! We will be hosting a

charitable 1940’s event Saturday 11th August 2012.

10:30am – 4:30pm

In Memory of Michael John Wilkie 26/03/1957 – 28/8/2009

All proceeds go to NACC

For more information contact:Phone: 07825 214377E-mail : jenny@wilkie3282.freeserve.co.uk

• 40’s Sweet heart, Kas• Fiona Harrison• Cinque Port Lindi Hoppers• Entertainment• Vintage Vehicles• Trade stands• Food Stalls• Charity bargain stalls

SANDWICH, KENT - GUILDHALL

FREE

As London prepared for the 1948 Olympics, increased rationing and the harsh winter of 1947 were not the only reasons for a general air of gloom and despondency.

The government was struggling to rebuild the economy, nationalise key industries, and establish a nuclear weapons programme, the NHS and the Welfare State. The Evening Standard declared in the autumn of 1947 that ‘The average range of British enthusiasm for the Games stretches from lukewarm, to dislike. It is not too late for the invitation to be politely withdrawn.’ Most of the British press thought the Games should not go ahead; when it became obvious that they would, press criticism focussed on what a bad job would be made of running them. In America, this prompted discussions in Congress: US athletes’ diet had not been affected by years of wartime rationing and shortages that had affected most of the other competing nations. It was argued that far from promoting international goodwill, if US athletes went to the games, they

would be accused of having an unfair advantage. In the end, the American athletes did go to London, and their food, supplemented by daily flights from the USA was a source of amazement to, especially, British competitors. But the government at least saw it as an opportunity to boost foreign investment in the country from foreign visitors spending their money. Clement Attlee, the prime minister, was clear that whatever else, the Games would have to be self-financing. Income was raised through increased production of Scotch whisky for export to America. Corporate sponsorship, first offered on a limited scale in Stockholm in 1912, was pursued enthusiastically. Deals were struck with Nescafe, Gilette Razors, Quaker Oats, Sloane’s Linament, Aertex and Brylcreem. The 2012 Games have been criticised for accepting sponsorship from companies like McDonald’s and Coca-Cola but in 1948, there was no difficulty with the Games promoting Gilbey’s Gin, Guinness, Craven A cigarettes and Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola was on sale from roadside stands but, at a shilling a bottle, it was an expensive treat.

The official drink of the games was Horlicks and British athletes recalled eating handfuls of

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Horlicks tablets. South Africa had the most successful boxers, winning two gold medals, one silver and one

bronze, and adverts for the drink published during the Games said that the team were ‘given Horlicks as a regular part of their training’. Overall, wartime and post-war rationing had created better health and reduced inequality. Rationing in wartime enabled government to direct supplies of key foods such as eggs, milk and fruit juice to priority groups, especially children and pregnant mothers. As a result, the health of the population improved and inequalities in health arising from poverty diminished. Post-war, food rations had been cut further and the government said at first that British athletes would not be allowed extra food. Eventually, Parliament agreed both foreign and British competitors in the Olympic Games would receive rations equivalent to those for workers in heavy industries – 3,900 calories daily compared to the standard adult allowance of 2,600. Food was sent to the British athletes from all over the world and many competing nations gave provisions for the British as well as themselves. ‘The Dutch sent over 100 tons of fruit and vegetables for all the teams. Denmark gave 160,000 eggs. Czechoslovakia gave 20,000 mineral water bottles,’ recalled

Olympic librarian Sandy Duncan in a BBC documentary. John Fairgrieve, quarter-finalist in 200m in 1948, and now aged 85, said in a recent interview in the Independent, ‘There was no real dietary advice. We did get our food parcels, donated by the dominions. Every month, if you were in the Olympic squad, you got a food parcel. Mine came from a place on South Island, New Zealand. You got this very nice parcel with corned beef or pork or whatever. If you open a 2lb can of pork you can’t eat it all yourself so the family used to jump in, so these food parcels were popular with the family.’ Gwen Dance worked near to Wembley Stadium. She recalled that on the day of the opening ceremony, ‘As the procession moved off, we found this picnic area where the Americans had been and there we found what they had left. Huge cheeses, huge hams, sweets, cookies, you name it, it was there. For the first time in my life, I became a scavenger.’ In its official report of the Games, the British Olympic Committee said, ‘A gift of supplies of fresh fish of approximately 3,000 stone was received from the British Trawlers’ Federation. These supplies arrived at Billingsgate three times weekly and were distributed by the department’s transport. A gift of kippers and herrings was received from the Herring Industry Board. Gifts were also received from Australia and Switzerland, for the use of the British OlympicTeam, who could not import food on the same basis as other competing nations; and

some carcasses of mutton from Iceland. Chocolates and sweets were provided at all centres and schools, being bought from the manufacturers by the Committee and sold to competitors, who were each entitled to a ration of eight ounces weekly.’ Canteens were set up in the athletes’ accommodation and over 1,000 students were employed to wash dishes and clean floors.

There was no Olympic village; competitors and their support teams were housed in hastily converted schools, colleges, nurses’ hostels and army camps. Commercial restaurants were commissioned to prepare and serve the food for competitors and supporting team members in these canteens, and were paid 25 shillings (£1.25) per person per day. In her book, The Austerity Olympics, When the Games Came to London in 1948 (Aurum Press Ltd, £8.99), Janie Hampton notes that many of the commercial organisations were able to provide the food for 17 shillings (65p) a head. They also made profits from teas and snacks in cafeterias and ice cream soda fountains. It was intended that meals would be served to the teams at set times, Absent competitors could

have a packed meal, but only if it was ordered the previous day. In practice, the official report noted, set meal times were quite impossible. Transport difficulties, training and other matters made it necessary for an almost continuous service to be available in the kitchens.’ Teams with similar tastes in food were usually housed together so they could eat food broadly familiar to them, prepared by restaurants specialising in their particular national or regional cuisine. At Pinner County School, Veeraswamy’s Indian restaurant, in London’s West End, catered for 100 Indians and Burmese team members and, at Willesden County School, Ley On’s Chop Suey from Soho fed the Chinese team. Some teams brought their own chefs and were given a refrigerator, a small gas cooker and English cooks to supervise. Many brought their own food. The French team manager’s report on the Games focussed almost entirely on criticisms of the catering arrangements. The French team’s supplies of Moutn-Rothschild was sent a month in advance so it would have time to settle but English customs officials did not believe that so much high quality wine could be for its athletes’ own consumption. It was finally released, just in time for the closing ceremony. He reported that the, kitchen facilities were inadequate and the cafeteria style service was likened to a soup kitchen. Over 300 tons of food were imported for the games and at

First hurdle in the final of the women’s 80 metres hurdles. Left to right, L. Lomska (Czechoslovakia) sixth, S. Strickland (Australia) third, Y. Monginon (France) fourth, M. Oberbreyer (Austria) fifth, M. Gardner (Great Britain) second and F. Blankers-Koen (Holland) first.

Food was sent to the British athletes from all over the world

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the end, 80 tons which were left over were donated to London hospitals. Transport was a

problem for the organisers and participants. The Organising Committee could not afford to hire 250+ private coaches which would be needed to transport teams to their events. ‘At no stage..,[the official report says]…was the Transport Department able to plan on anything but an austerity basis. In order to meet this situation demands on the vehicles had to be kept below a figure allocating a seat to all competitors at the same time. Eventually, a scheme for the running of a shuttle service between the main venues and living quarters was devised. This could be worked by approximately fifty vehicles, and London Transport agreed to provide the Organising Committee with a maximum of twenty double-decker vehicles of 56-seat capacity, twelve single-deck coaches of 30-seat capacity and twenty small 20-seaters. These last were an obsolete type, and were offered reluctantly as, owing to age, their condition was below standard.’ The Committee’s priority was that competitors’ vehicles would have free and unobstructed runs between their accommodation and the venues. The police required all buses to travel on set routes, so London Transport prepared a plan of such routes for their approval, and the two motoring organisations [the Automobile

Association and the Royal Automobile Club] posted road signs. London Transport offered free travel in the London area to all those carrying the Olympic Identity card from July 15 to August 15 but the organisers admitted afterwards that they had had enormous problems issuing the cards to participants. In practice, competitors sometimes had to make the best use they could of public transport. Cyclists had particular problems. The organisers expected that ‘competitors would house their machines in the accommodation provided at the track once training had commenced, and that most of those using Windsor Great Park would travel on their machines between their living quarters and the race circuit. ‘In fact, nothing like this happened. A certain number of station wagons had been equipped with special racks to carry two or three machines and their riders, but this was quite inadequate to meet the demand of nearly all the competitors that the cycles should be conveyed to and from the training grounds on every occasion. ‘Operators refused to take the machines aboard with their owners for fear of damageto the seats of the coaches, so lorries and furniture vans were brought into service. This brought complaints from some teams that they were prevented from accompanying their bicycles by this method of transport. There were actually no hold-ups, but the

whole operation was the cause of a great deal of daily last-minute arrangements.’ The organizing committee had to make do: ‘The best answer to the problem was obtained by having seats stripped from one side of a 32-seater coach. This enabled about twelve machines to be carried in the space so provided, the riders, trainers and others interested in the teams, being able to travel in comfort with the bicycles. The cost of such an arrangement was twice that of the lorries, but there is no doubt that it gave complete satisfaction to those able to make use of it.’ Crowds for the Games grew to 80,000 a day. This was the first games to be televised but few could afford television sets. Broadcasts from the Games could reach only those within 30 miles of Alexandra Palace transmission station in north London. The British organisers saw ticket sales as the man source of income. Advanced sales were slow. Press comment that there was little public interest, followed by a rumour that tickets had sold out did not help. As the Games neared, boxing and swimming events sold out quickly but thousands of tickets for other events remained unsold, Ticket prices varied widely from two shillings (10p) for the hockey to one guinea (£1.05) for the rowing. The British organisers described demand as ‘steady’ but with little over a week to go, ticket sales had brought in £450,000, half the sum needed to cover costs. That did not prevent tickets touting for popular events. Some were,

predictably, the spivs of wartime still making a living during the austerity years. Others were competitors who had run short of money – currency regulations limited the amount of sterling they could bring with them. Competitors were given complimentary tickets to other events at their own venues and some sold spares in central London and at the venues. By the time the games were finished, however, the achievements of medal winners such as Fanny Blankers-Koen and the Czech runner Emil Zatopek, had helped boost interest and sales. Even the press admitted it had been a success. The British organisers sold off everything they could including left over bottles of wine, equestrian jumps, wrestling mats and the forty horses brought over for the modern pentathlon, all of which were in peak condition. The Organising Committee found the games had cost £10,000 less than they had estimated. When the various bills were paid – including £50 to the Boy Scouts Association – the Games made a profit of £29,420. After a protracted argument with the Inland Revenue, the organisers paid £9,000 in tax.

Carrol Harris is an authority on Britains Home Front has written many books including; ‘Blitz Diary’, ‘Women at War’, ‘D-Day Diary’ and ‘Air Raids & Ration Books’. Check the 1940s Society website for further details.

Broadcasts from the Games could reach only those within 30 miles of Alexandra Palace

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Kenrick Reginald Hymans Johnson born on 10th September 1914 was originally from British Guiana. At the age of 15 his parents sent Ken to the UK, to study at Sir William Bolase’s Grammar School. After this Ken then went on to study medicine at Edinburgh University. Ken did well at his studies and at 6 foot 4 inches tall was an asset to the school football and cricket teams. It was at this time of his life that Ken gained an interest in dancing. Ken had lessons from the American choreographer Buddy Bradley who was in the UK to work with Jessie Mathews on her new stage show ‘Ever Green’. It was during his early dance work that he earned the nick name ‘Snakehips’ due to his fluid style of dancing and moving his hips.

Ken was always dressed smartly, often in a white suit with a flower in the lapel button hole. There is only one known film of Ken dancing, the 1934 film ‘Oh Daddy’ where his performance of a dance routine called Old Vaazoo is interrupted by cut-aways to the main cast of the film. It

just so happens that Bradley was the dance director of the film. It was the sound of swing from across the Atlantic that inspired Ken to journey to America. While there Ken was able to get work as a dancer in a couple of Hollywood cabaret shows. During a trip to Harlem he was inspired to start his own orchestra after seeing Cab Calloway’s and Fletcher Henderson’s orchestras.In 1936 Lesley Thompson asked Ken to join his band (The Emperors of Jazz) as a dummy conductor because he could dance so well and

This month 1940s DJ Jeff “Two-Tone Boogie”. continues his series of articles on important and influential musicians with a look at Ken Johnson.

Ken ‘Snakehips’ Johnson

at 6 foot 4 inches tall he was an asset to the school football and cricket teams

L A S H E N D E N AIR WARFARE MUSEUM

• One of the UK’s finest aviation archaeology collections • Rare restored Picket-Hamilton Fort • History of the airfield during World War Two • Hangar tours • Well stocked Museum shop • Free admission (donations welcome) and free parking • Open Sundays and bank holidays throughout the year

We are situated at Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent at the one timehome of the famous 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group.

Visit our website at

www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk

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looked so smart. Thompson’s band was travelling the UK performing when they were given a six month residency at The Old Florida Club in London’s Mayfair. It was during this time that Ken went on to form his own Orchestra, Ken Johnson and his Rhythm Swingers. After taking over the contract with The Old Florida Club (Thompson’s The Emperors of jazz had disbanded, due to disagreements within the band) Ken had many top names working for him, namely Tom Wilson (Drums), Joey Deniz (Guitar) and Abe Clair (Bass) who all followed Ken from The Emperors of Jazz. In 1937 Ken turned to the West

Indies for further members and on his arrival to the UK, saxophonist and clarinettist Carl Barriteau Joined Kens Orchestra, along with three other new members. Now Ken had an outfit that was able to help him produce that “American Swing Sound” albeit in Britain and from a British Orchestra.

Ken Johnson and his Rhythm Swingers stayed at The Old Florida Club, while receiving enthusiastic reviews. The Melody Maker reporter Andrew Gray recalls in 29 May 1937 how the show started at 2am and for the last song Ken introduced a singer from America, Helen Morgan. The

show continued until 5am. It was soon after this that Ken changed the name of his orchestra to The West Indian Orchestra.

By 1940 they became known as one of the top Swing Orchestra’s in the country. A year later The West Indian Orchestra became the resident Orchestra at The Cafe De Paris in London’s West End.It was while broadcasting for BBC radio that The West Indian Orchestra gained a mass following and it was during his radio broadcasts that his best work was done. Ken unfortunately only recorded 16 tracks. He initially used ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ as his theme tune, renaming it ‘On The Side Of the Street That’s Sunny’. When he started to broadcast for the BBC Ken changed his theme tune to ‘Dear Old Southland’.Ken was always a smart dresser and well spoken

young man but when the music called he was known to be “just a little wild” and was often asked to calm down his performances.

On the 8th March 1941 Ken Johnson and The West Indian Orchestra were entertaining London’s swing set as normal when soon after the start of their performance two bombs came through the Rialto roof and landed on the Cafe dance floor. Thirty-four people died, including Ken Johnson, some of his band and members of the public. When Ken’s body was found it is said that there were no outward signs of injury and he still had a flower in the lapel of his white jacket, Ken was just 26 years old. After some discussion Ken’s remains were buried at The Sir William Bolase’s Grammar School chapel, where a plaque commemorates Ken Johnson and his work.

Now Ken had an outfit that was able to help him produce that “American Swing Sound”

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Detachment 1 was sent to Southampton and arrived there in August 1942. In this city the Canadians helped with the provision of static water tanks, but crucially assisted the National Fire Service during the trials of the PLUTO pipeline which ran off Lepe Beach just a short distance from the mouth of Southampton Water.

May Belbin, an NFS firewomen remembers ‘The Canadians came to Southampton, I don’t know how many, but there were quite a few. They used to tell us about their families because I suppose they were homesick which is quite understandable, but also it helped us to get to know them better and they became part of our big family’

Brothers under Fire (Part 2)John Leete completes his look at the 406 Canadian firemen who served in England from 1942 to 1945 with details of their lives and memories of those that new them.

The 2nd detachment served Plymouth with the first group of men arriving there in September 1942 after a period of training at Lee Mill, Ivybridge, Devon. A second group of Canadians arrived in January 1943 and this bought the total contingent strength here to 74 men.

Tom Adams recalls ‘I remember the fire fighters well because being a young apprentice in heating and hot water work, I was involved on building work in Tor Lane, Hartley in Plymouth. This building was for the Canadians when they came over here to help the National Fire Service.

There was a crest on the door of the station with a motto which

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read All For One and One For All. I was about fourteen at that time and it was part of life in the war. Seeing new people, and the Canadians, well they were a nice crowd of chaps and very friendly to everyone’.

Phyllis Wilshaw (nee Dilling) from Plymouth remembers, ‘I was sent to the Fire Service in 1943, and was based with the Canadians at Hartley in Plymouth. My duty meant that I did one night a week with this great group of chaps. There was always plenty of food available and it wasn’t rationed like it was for civilians. Until about 1944, I courted one of the men, he was Section Leader Frank Dymond, but I was then called up to serve with the ATS’.

The Canadians were well known and very popular in the area and when they had dances every so often, everyone turned up.

Bristol was the location of Detachment 3 with some 80

personnel being accommodated at Stoke House in the grounds of the Clifton Theological College on the north wets outskirts of the city.

Dennis Perrett of Bristol remembers, ‘I was aged ten when the Canadians came and we used to scrounge chocolate from them. There station was on Stoke Hill in an old building known as the Theological Hall, near Durham Downs.

After the war I visited the Hall when I was then in the building trade. The firemen had carved their names in the lead which was covering the three ‘domes’ of the building

Reg Weekes who now lives in Australia recalls, ‘I was a Section Leader in the National Fire Service stationed on the old premises of the Bristol Motor Company in Victoria Street. It was from there that we were sent on a refresher course to a camp near Ivybridge

in Devon where me and the others first met and became friendly with several Canadians who came with their different uniforms and accents to be with us during those difficult times. I seem to recall being with them again during the Second Front when we were then stationed in Southampton. Although there was by now more of these fun loving men. Then suddenly they were gone and out of our lives and we all wonder ‘Where are they now’.

In early 1944, the Germans dropped high explosives, incendiaries and phosphorous bombs over a wide area of Somerset to the south of Bristol and the entire Corps contingent was instrumental in saving a large part of the stores at the Royal Army Ordnance Corps depot at Weave in Somerset. In the same county, near Taunton, the United States had its Southern Command depot which was used for the supply of general stores, clothing and food to the US forces

stationed across the south west of England. As the build up to D-Day intensified, the resident US Army fire fighting section was withdrawn from the depot and was prepared for going into Europe. So it came about that 16 firemen, a section leader and three leading firemen with a company officer from the Corps of Canadian firefighters were assigned to duty at the depot.

In November 1942, detachment 4 of the Corps arrived in the south coast city of Portsmouth where they were greeted and inspected by the Lord Mayor before taking up their duties at stations in Craneswater Avenue and Auckland Road East. Accommodation was provided nearby at the Clarence Hotel and at Craneswater Park.

Jennifer Turner remembers‘Mother was a widow when I was young so it was not improper that she took up the offer of going to local dances with one of the Canadians. I am sorry

Arrival of Canadian Firefighters, London, 1942 Trafalgar Square march past.

“Then suddenly they were gone and out of our lives...”

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but I do not know his name. All the men I met were good to me as a child and gave me small gifts usually consisting of some of their rations which included sweets. My mother said that they used to talk a lot about their families and that they always acted like real gentlemen. I believe some of the men used to get invited to people’s homes for meals but I can’t be sure. I know that one of the firemen was killed in the city, but I only found that out after the war when the story was told to me by an aunt’.

The heavy enemy raid on Portsmouth on the 15th and 16th August 1943 resulted in the Canadians dealing with many of the seventy or so fires started by the bombing and again when the enemy carried out further scattered raids on the city in early 1944, the Corps was on continuous duty over several nights.

Off duty, the Canadians excelled at team competitions. Jack Coulter again;‘We had a tow vehicle and trailer pump and we would have to drive forward to a tank. The idea was to disconnect the pump from the truck then get the suction in the water of the tank, lay the hose out and knock down a target with the jet of water. This was a fairly standard type of competition. We Canadians probably being a little younger and a little more active than the British were able to compete well and we became the winners of the competition. As a result

we were presented with a Trophy. All this was filmed by a crew from Canada working for the National Film Board’.

May Belbin recalls ’We used to have field (sports) days and for that I used to wear my best uniform. We went and served teas from the Mobile Kitchen that had been donated by the Canadian Red Cross’.

Although by this time, air attacks on Britain had begun to diminish, the Canadians saw service during calls to both major incidents and lull period incidents. Subsequent to the Normandy Campaign and following an agreement between the Canadian and British Governments, demobilisation began in late 1944 when the National War Services Department announced plans for the first group to leave. Remaining groups would leave as stations were closed. The official announcement stated that conditions no longer made it necessary to maintain the Corps as protection against enemy attacks and while some Corps members had volunteered to serve on the continent there was insufficient grounds for them to do so. About two thirds of the Corps were firefighters in civilian life and it was expected their experiences would prove beneficial when they returned to their own communities. The British authorities had arranged a number of farewell ceremonies to express appreciation of the contribution made by the Corps.

Colonel J W Dear who hailed from Ottawa, was to stay behind with a small staff to clear up all the administrative tasks as the Corps members departed. It was he who organised the gift of 38.000 Canadian dollars worth of the Corps clothing and equipment to the National Fire Service ‘in appreciation of the training and assistance received by the Corps in Britain’.

The British Government later announced that members of the Corps who had served in Britain for a year or more would be entitled to wear the Defence of Britain Medal. On behalf of the Canadian Government, War Services Minister Dr McCann responded by saying that the medal ribbon would be made available immediately to all eligible former Corps members

During their service on Britain’s Home Front, the Canadians suffered five casualties and three deaths.

Fireman JJ S Coull, number T112 of Winnipeg, died in July

1944, a casualty of a flying bomb attack. He is laid to rest in Scotland and at his burial he was given full military honours. Section Leader Lawrence ‘Curly’ Woodhead, number T305 was from Saskatoon and he died in June 1944 when he fell from a speeding fire engine during a training exercise in Southampton.

May Belbin again. ‘They used to go out on manoeuvres and sometimes the fire engines were overloaded with men. One of the firemen fell off the lorry and was killed. They put his coffin in the hall and it was draped with the Canadian flag. We all went down to pay our respects’

Section Leader Alfred LaPierre, number T212 of Montreal died in Bristol in April 1943 and with Mr Woodhead was laid to rest in the grounds of the Canadian section of the Brookwood Necropolis Cemetary, Woking, England. Small flags of Canada are placed at the headstones and are renewed when weather worn.

A member of the Corps (one of two) being buried at Brookwood Necropolis Cemetery, Surrey

the Canadians suffered five casualties and three deaths.

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The Shadow Formula, a suspenseful spy drama set in pre-war London, plays at theGreenwood Theatre, London on May 31st (preview), June 1st (press night), 7th-9th and14th-16th. A rip-roaring ride into a seamy underworld of dastardly double agents, vicious villains, feisty femmes fatales, spies, scientists, chanteuses, and at its heart, a battlescarred anti-hero who’d rather drown his sorrows than face them.

Edwin Flay plays washed-up Great War veteran Cary Donat, whose life is turned upside down when his fiancee Lily (Hadassa Noble) is murdered on his doorstep. As Cary struggles to clear his name for the murder, he uncovers a sinister ploy for world domination initiated by deranged scientist Professor Clark (Simon Chappell), conducted by brutal thugs Guido and Gruber (Andrei Vasile and Hugo Nicolau), ochestrated by sadistic fascist Diana Fox (Jodyanne Richardson) and

masterminded by dastardly German spy Josef Heydrich (Joshua Morrall). Cary’s only allies in his fight are beautiful agent Raz Peel (Fiona Nivalis) and Claude Lockhart (Gabriel Keogh), his old war comrade.

Pursued by villains and the authorities alike, Cary must overcome his personal demons, outsmart, out-fight and out-manoeuvre his enemies, and destroy the mysterious Shadow Formula... before it destroys the world.

The Shadow Formula is the first production by Theatrica Ludos, a new company established to showcase compelling, quality drama by new writers, and comprising a mix of new professionals, established performers and those who are taking the first steps towards a professional career.

The show begins at 7.30 pm each evening; there will also be a matinée (signed in BSL for hearing-impaired audience members) at 2.30pm on Saturday 16th June. Tickets cost £10 (Saturday matinée £7.50), and there are discounts available for group bookings. To view the excellent website or order tickets visit: www.shadowformula.com

The 1940s Society are offering readers the chance to win tickets to see The Shadow Formula. Theatrica Ludos is giving away two pairs of tickets to the press night of this new production.

To win tickets to this exciting new show, simply answer the following question:

What was World War II spy Agent Zigzag’s real name?

Send your answer, along with contact details and the reference: 1940s Society magazine, to info@shadowformula.com

For full dates, and to buy tickets for the Shadow Formula, please visitwww.shadowformula.com

WIN TICKETS

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25 May 2012 The 1940’s Society - SevenoaksCareless Talk Costs LivesArt & Design of The Home Frontby James TaylorDiscover the ingenious artists and designers who created the popular and enduring images of public information during World War II. See page 3 for details.8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

26th May 2012Spitfire Dance 7-30 till MidnightSwing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s.Slade Green Community Centre, Bridge Road, Erith (Dartford) DA8 2HSDress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Allied uniform. Free tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinksTickets £7 on the door. Details: 07506 851862 or www.spitfirebounce.com

26th - 27th May 2012Bletchley Park Family Forties DayBletchley Park, The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB.The WW2 Home Of The Codebreakers Goes Back In Time With Its Annual Forties Family Festival. It is always a good event, see the website at www.bletchleypark.org.uk or call 01908 640404 for further details.

28th May 20121940s Dance NightBrighton St WMC, Brighton St, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire WF16 9EY. 7pm till 10.30pm.Live Entertainment from “Victory Belle”. large dance floor. Tickets £4.00 on the door £5.00. Contact Jaynie on 07989 308255. Please Note: There will be 1hrs line dancing if you would like to give it a go and 1 1/2 hrs of 1940s.

2nd June 20121940s Wartime DanceDownswood community centre, Chiltern Close, Maidstone, ME15 8XGTickets in advance £10 - includes war time food (Hog roast) dancing to a live swing band & licensed bar. Tickets limited to 140 so get yours now! Details at www.downswood.co.uk or (01622) 862730

2nd - 3rd June 2012Blackout & BuntingRedoubt Fortress & Military Museum, Royal Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 7AQ. Relive the 1940s at the Eastbourne

Redoubt with historical re-enactors, vintage hair salon, make do & mend activities.Details at www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk or phone 01323 410300

2nd - 3rd June 2012Vintage Weekend at Haguelands Village, near Hythe, Kent Static displays of vintage cars, military vehicles, vintage clothing stalls, local produce stalls, and a 1940s dance on Sat evening with music and classes during the day. There will be space for overnight camping if interested, and a reduced price to exhibitors for tickets to the dance. We’ also like to hear from anyone interested in having a stall or getting involved in any way.Details at www.haguelandsvillage.co.uk

2 / 3 / 4 June 2012 World War II Weekend, Berrington Hall, Leominster, HR6 0DWLearn about the part that Berrington had to play, see vintage vehicles, re-enactors and much more. Free admission to re-enactors and visitors in period costume and to those bringing vintage or military vehicles from the era. (book vehicles by 30th April 2012). Details: Gareth Gwilt, Visitor Services Manager, Berrington Hall on 01568 615721 or email gareth.gwilt@nationaltrust.org.uk

30 June / 1 July 2012Isle of Wight Steam Railway - 1940s Weekend. This event is always good fun. A relaxed, enjoyable event with everything you would expect from a 40s weekend in a superb location. Details: 01983 882204 or www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk 13 July 2012 The 1940’s Society - SevenoaksDr John Ray1941 – Hiters Year of MadnessA lecture by Dr John Ray1941 was a pivotal year of the Second World War. The two great opposing leaders Hitler and Churchill vowed to fight on to the bitter end and the Citizens of Britain faced the continued hardship of life under the continued bombing raids. It is often said that the two biggest mistakes that Hitler made were the war against Russia and the war against America. Both of these decisions took place in 1941. Dr Ray will be discussing these and many other aspects of this important wartime year.Dr John Ray is an author of numerous books and taught history for forty years until his retirement in 1988. He is an authority on the Second World War and in

Events DiaryNot a complete listing of everything that’s going on but a few events that may be of interest to members.

More are listed on the website at www.1940.co.uk

great demand as a speaker and lecturer. We are delighted to have him talk to us this evening. 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent. Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

14th July 2012Victory Dance - Jump for Joy 44Yalding Village Hall, Lyngs Close, Yalding, nr. Maidstone, Kent ME18 6JTDJ Gypsy John with Memphis Belle, the Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers, the Charleston Dolls and table magic with Greg Kirby. Large dance floor, free parking, Bring your own drinks & nibbles, Free tea & coffee. Dress Code: 1940s civilian, allied uniform or smart. Tickets £10 in advance or £12 on the night.For further details: 01233 758792, or www.cinqueportsswingjive.com . 18 - 22 July 2012 The War & Peace Show - The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PYThe largest Military Vehicle show in the world. Visit: www.thewarandpeaceshow.com 11th - 12th August 2012Crich Tramway Village 1940s weekendCrich Tramway Village, nr Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5DPAlways a wonderful and relaxed 1940s event with plenty to see and do.Anyone in 1940s dress will be admitted on the day for a discounted rate of £8.For more details visit www.tramway.co.uk or call 01773 854321

18th - 19th August 20121940’s Lytham Wartime WeekendThe Green, Lytham, Lancashire FY8 5LBHistoric Vehicles, music and dance, memorabilia, thrilling battles, educational talks and demonstrations plus living history camp.Lots going on so visit www.lythamwarweekend.co.uk for more details.

28th September 2012The 1940’s Society - SevenoaksAn Evening with Fergus Anckorn.In 1937, Fergus Anckorn, at 18, became the youngest ever member of the Magic Circle. When war came in 1939, he gave service not only as a gunner in the Royal Artillery but also as a conjuror entertaining fellow troops. After being captured in the Far East he was ultimately to use his skills to distract the Japanese guards from their brutal slave driving in prisoner of war camps and on the building of the infamous Burma-Siam Railway line. His conjuring both saved his life and very nearly lost him his life. A true

survivor, he is today the oldest member of the Magic Circle.We are delighted that Fergus will be with us to talk about his wartime experiences and allow as this unique opportunity to hear the very moving details of his life as a Japanese Prisoner of War. 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

28th September 2012Stage Door Canteen authentic 1940s nightPratts Bottom, KentAuthentic 1930s hall and Resident DJ ‘Swing Shift’ Chris Reynolds recreating that fantastic atmosphere of a wartime night out for all guests to enjoy!Dress code is strictly 1940s Allied military uniform or authentic 1940s fashion for the ladies, with matching hairstyle of course (Stage Door Canteen staff reserves the right to refuse entry on the night if not appropriately dressed). Tickets are £8 each and can only be booked in advance via 07944 105146 or tickets@stagedoorcanteen.co.uk.Your ticket will include a voucher for one free beverage. 30th November 2012The 1940’s Society - SevenoaksNeil Barber - Parachute Doctor.Captain David Tibbs RAMC MC as a member of 225 (Parachute) Field Ambulance and the 13th Parachute Battalion served with the 5th Parachute Brigade of the famous 6th Airborne Division. His fascinating story includes jumping into Normandy on D-Day and fighting alongside the Japanese on the island of Java. His fascinating story and experiences are available in a new book “Parachute Doctor” from Neil Barber. This evening Neil Barber will be giving an illustrated talk about the extraordinary experiences of David Tibbs both during and after D-Day. Neil has written a number of detailed books on the events of D-Day and is an expert on the role of the Parachute Battalion’s activities. We are delighted to have him come and talk to us. 8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

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Issue 73