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The 1940s SocietyFor Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

July / August 2014Issue 86 £3.00

Ray Nobleby Jeff “Two-Tone Boogie”

Disaster in the CloudsGraham Holmes tells the Tragic Storyof Two Typhoon Pilots over Kent

Diary EventsAnd much more...

Places to VisitA New attraction at theIsle of Wight Steam Railway

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 graves of Flight Sergeant Harris Fraser and Flying Officer George Whitmore at St. Mary Cray near Orpington.

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It’s a little frightening to find ourselves in July already. As I’m writing this I’m looking forward to seeing many members at various shows in the coming weeks. The ‘War & Peace’ show is about to stage its second year at the fantastic new venue in Folkestone and I hear that the organisers have been working hard to make it the best ever. The ‘Combined Ops’ event at Headcorn in August is another favourite which I hope to get along to. Wherever you go this summer have a good time and let’s hope the weather stays kind to us.

Talking of time passing quickly I was shocked recently to discover it was four years (yes 4!!!) since I had taken out my 1936 Austin 12 (pictured left). A hopelessly busy schedule and a hectic family life is my excuse but to be honest that’s only part of the reason. After about a year and a half I was just too scared to go check up and see if she was still OK. Had she rusted way? How was I going to get her up and running again? Was she even still there? After plucking up the courage to make a visit I was happy to discover that all is mostly well. A little dusty and a few cobwebs but she was never a concourse example – more a car to enjoy on the open road. A visit from mobile mechanic and vintage car specialist Dean Whybra (see advert on page 4) ensured she was running again and although there is a little work to do I’m delighted to be reacquainted with the old girl. I’d forgotten just how lovely she is and am determined to get her back to tip top running order and along to a few car shows this summer. I really shouldn’t have left it so long.

Whatever you’re doing this summer, have fun, enjoy the vintage summer season and let me know the highlights of your event year!

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 2014

Reunited after 4 years!

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.

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The 1940s SocietyFor Everyone Interested in Wartime Britain

Regular meetings at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks

Friday 25 July 2014 - 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

Ireland During the Second World War

An illustrated lecture by Dr Bryce EvansThere is much rumour and speculation as to the role of Ireland during WW2, with U-boat visits and republican spies often suggested. But how true is this?

Between 1939 and 1945, Ireland was able to preserve its non-belligerent status. Perhaps the most controversial aspect of neutral Ireland’s war record was the decision of Irish premier, Éamon de Valera, to travel to the German legation in Dublin to convey his condolences on the death of Adolf Hitler in April 1945.

This action was robustly criticised by British prime minister Winston Churchill, who despised his Irish counterpart and had once complained that negotiating with this wily politician was ‘like trying to pick up mercury with a spoon’.

Dr Bryce is the author of a new book on Ireland during the Second World War and will be uncovering the truth behind the motives and actions of Ireland, our closest neighbour.

This will be a fascinating evening covering an area which is seldom considered so do come along.

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By the time rescuers arrived on site, the tangled mass of wreckage bore little resemblance to the sleek, formidable fighter aircraft that it had once been. Nothing could be done for the pilot, a young 24 year old Canadian, who lay dead in what remained of the cockpit. A member of the Air Raid Precaution team looked at his watch and later recorded in the Incident Report Book that at approximately 18.40hrs on the 6th March 1943, a Hawker Typhoon 1b crashed at Glassenbury, Cranbrook, following a mid air collision with another Typhoon, killing the pilot, Pilot Officer

George Carson Whitmore. Squadron and station, unknown. At the time of entry, no further information was known about the circumstances of the crash or the other aircraft and its pilot. However, about four miles away at Redhouse Farm, Dingleden, Benenden, a similar scene was unfolding. On the ground lay the tangled remains of another Hawker Typhoon 1b. When the first rescuers reached the scene, it was equally evident that the pilot had not survived. He was later identified as Flight Sgt. Harris Robert Fraser, a 22 year old Australian.

Seventy one years later, it is now possible to tell the full story...

DISASTERI N T H E C L O U D S

Regular contributor and member Graham Holmes describes an all too familiar incident in the skies over Britain in 1942.

An unidentified Typhoon showing the black and white identification stripes under the wings RAF pilot with Hawker Typhoon 1b

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The story actually begins in early 1942. The Luftwaffe had commenced what was to become known as the “tip and run” campaign, using specially modified Messerschmitt Me109F-4 fighter aircraft. The modification involved the fitting of an external bomb rack capable of taking one SC500 or two SC250 bombs. Initially the Me109’s flew in groups of two or four aircraft from bases in Northern France. Crossing the Channel at wave top height, they were completely invisible to the coastal radar stations. Reaching landfall, the crews barely climbed above roof top height and dropped their bombs on targets of opportunity and before heading for home, would return and machine gun the area in a rather indiscriminate fashion. The targets were coastal towns anywhere along the Channel coast from Torquay in the west to Dover in the east. In early 1943 some of these attacks penetrated as far inland as the London suburbs. It was almost impossible to raise any serious form of defensive measures against these attacks

and all too often, the air raid siren would sound after the attack had been completed. The pilots chosen for these missions had undergone specialist training in ultra low level bombing techniques although it was well known that some of the more experienced pilots disliked using fighters in this manner. Two fighter groups were selected, Jagdgeschwader 2 and Jagdgeschwader 26 and the modified Me109’s formed the 10th Staffel (or squadron) of these groups. The Luftwaffe referred to the modified aircraft as Jagdbomber of fighter bomber. From the summer of 1942, the Me109’s were replaced by the faster, more powerful Focke Wulf FW190 A-2. Throughout 1942 the attacks by 10/JG2 and 10/JG54 (formerly, JG26) were taking place on a regular basis – sometimes three to four times per week - and the lack of success by the Royal Air Force and the coastal artillery

Harris Fraser - left with his twin brother Charles Fraser - right

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batteries was beginning to have serious affect on the morale of the civilian population. Questions were even raised in Parliament. The Hastings area came under attack several times and generally, the casualties and damage caused was completely disproportionate to the number of aircraft used.

The RAF’s answer was to mount up to 15 standing patrols each day hoping to catch the intruders by surprise, but the results were not encouraging and complaints continued to be made that the response only seem to happen after the bombs had been dropped and the attackers on their way home. Strangely, the Luftwaffe did not consider that the campaign was anything more than nuisance raids and underestimated the effect that it was having on the civilian population.

No.1 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was one of the units brought in to combat the elusive Jagdbombers. Its history dated back to 1878 when it was formed at Woolwich as No.1 Balloon Company of the Royal Engineers and went on to play a major role in the Great War. Following the outbreak of World War Two, the squadron saw action in France and then the Battle of Britain where it distinguished itself flying Hawker Hurricanes from Tangmere. By 1942 the Hurricanes were replaced by Hawker Typhoons operating as fighter bombers over France. These were termed “Rhubarb” operations and were undertaken from Biggin Hill. On the 3rd March 1943, the squadron moved to Lympne to commence “Anti Rhubarb” operations, in other words, preventing the escalating low level attacks by the Luftwaffe’s FW190’s.

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Two of the pilots, flying as part of Green Section were Pilot Officer George Whitmore (Green 1) and Flt.Sgt.Harris Fraser (Green 2). Enemy air activity since their arrival at Lympne had been moderate with Exmouth and Bognor Regis the targets of 10/JG2 operating from Caen-Carpiquet. For No.1 Squadron, there were no successes to report.

On the 6th March, Whitmore and Fraser had undertaken an anti rhubarb patrol in the morning, but no contacts were reported. Their next patrol would begin in the late afternoon and, in all probability would have taken them along the South Coast as far as the Isle of Wight and then back along the line of the South Downs and over the Weald of Kent. Again there were no reports of enemy activity and the pair now made their way back to Lympne. Whitmore was at the controls of Typhoon serial number R8942, an aircraft that had been taken on charge by the RAF in 1941, whilst Fraser was flying Typhoon DN615 that dated from September 1942.

The weather conditions were poor when they began the patrol and had now deteriorated with drizzle and low cloud. Visibility was less than 1000yds. As they crossed the Weald, Fraser noted that the cloud base ahead was down to the summit of the approaching hills and he decided that it was advisable to climb up into the clouds to avoid the hills. Green 2 (Whitmore) almost certainly lost sight of Fraser and decided, independently, to also climb higher into the clouds. There does not appear to have been any radio contact between them. It was now just after half past six in the evening and the aircraft were somewhere to the west of Tunbridge Wells. Those on the ground, probably on their way home from work, heard the sound of aero engines increasing in pitch as the Typhoons climbed higher. The sound dramatically changed following a muffled explosion and now became the scream of aircraft falling, out of control.

DN615 impacted alongside the Hartley to Iden Green road on the edge of the Glassenbury estate whilst R8942 came down at Redhouse Farm near Dingleden, Benenden. The bodies of Flying Officer George Whitmore and Flight Sargeant Harris Fraser were carefully removed from the crash sites and eventually laid to rest in the cemetery at St.Mary Cray near Orpington. The airmen were laid side by side ensuring that, as in their last moments together as Green 1 and Green 2, they remained together, even in death.

The graves of Flight Sergeant Harris Fraser and Flying Officer George Whitmore at St. Mary Cray near Orpington.

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The short stretch of water between the mainland and the Isle of Wight may not be very big but it gives the island a unique feeling of separation. I’m a regular attendee of the Havenstreet Steam Railway 1940s weekend and love the friendly unspoilt nature of the event. The 1940s weekend (start of July) has just gone by and I’m sure it will be the subject of a future article. For the moment however, I thought it worth writing a few words on the steam railway itself and in particular its new exhibition space entitled “Train Story” which opened in April 2014.

Havenstreet station is an idyllic setting which looks unchanged from the days of steam. The addition of a huge £1.2 million visitor attraction could easily have ruined such a beautiful environment. However, the exhibition is hidden away with access being through the railway shop following a short walk through the workshops themselves. A fascinating chance to see the latest restoration of carriages or trains and to chat (if they have time) to those lovingly maintaining these icons from the past.

Visiting the Latest Attraction:‘TRAIN STORY’

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The railway workshops where you can see first hand the restorations underway.

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A new walkway takes you from the workshops to the new ‘Train Story’ exhibition centre passing alongside the railway tracks and excellent views of the passing trains, thundering by in all their glory.

The ‘Train Story’ centre was funded by a grant of £970,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund

which, together with £150,000 partnership funding raised by the railway, has enabled the project to be completed. Construction work commenced in September 2012 and was completed in Spring 2014. As you would expect from a project of this size it’s not just a storage shed but an interactive journey of discovery.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway

A game of steam train ‘trumps’ proved popular with the older children.

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On entering ‘Train Story’ you are given the opportunity to watch a short film about the railway, its history and the role of trains on the island. This is followed by an exhibition explaining the many aspects of the railway in greater detail. Of more importance to the younger visitor is the superb interactive area which was greeted with great enthusiasm by the youngsters I was visiting with. A well thought out and educational (yet fun) display that caters for every age group and ensures that a return trip to this area is almost impossible to avoid.

Following through from here you enter the main exhibition area which houses the trains and carriages themselves and you discover just how big the building is. As you walk along the platforms past displays and tastefully placed interactive boards you discover that this is not a ‘dusty’ museum area. Many of these trains are used on a regular basis

Younger children enjoyed playing with the train set (right) and the interactive steam engine (far right).

Older folk may enjoy a sit down in the virtual carriage to watch the world of yesteryear go by.

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and the odd space may well indicate that a train or carriage is actually steaming up the track outside. Many of the carriages are open and you are encouraged to explore the differences discovering for yourself the delights of a Victorian carriage or the difference between unrestored and restored rolling stock.

Whilst at ‘Train Story’ I had the opportunity to chat with Linda Montgomery whose title is ‘Chief Interpreter’.

“Everyone thinks I need to speak at least 3 languages but my title actually means I’m head guide, a job I’ve been doing here since we opened in April. We’re delighted that ‘Train Story’ is proving to be so popular. The opening day was our busiest but we’ve been averaging 600 people per day during the holidays with two or three hundred on other days. Our initial target was to have 50% of those visiting the railway come and visit this area. At the moment we are at about sixty or seventy percent which is fantastic. The interactive display is proving particularly popular with the children and its fantastic for visitors to get a really good close-up look at working trains and restorations.”

You might well expect ‘Train Story’ to be an additional cost on your visit to the railway but you’d be wrong. Your day on the steam railway includes entrance to this exhibition centre and is a great addition to an already fun filled day.

The steam railway connects with main rail services on the island which does mean you can visit the steam railway for the day as a foot passenger on the ferry. If you want to stay for longer then there are plenty of places to stay on the island and many other attractions to enjoy. Lookout for one of the themed weekends held throughout the year by the railway – everything from car shows to real ale events. For more details visit the railways website at: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

‘Chief Interpreter’ Linda Montgomery is on hand to answer any questions you may have,

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Photo AlbumOriginal Period Photographs with a Story

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Photo AlbumOriginal Period Photographs with a Story

War Precautions change the Architecture of English Homes

London, England (March 1939)

Two London women busily engaged erecting in the garden of their home the frame-work of one of the many air-raid shelters recently distributed to Londoners. So sudden were the deliveries made by the Government that many a resident of London arose to find the corrugated metal on his front porch and knowing little what to do about it.

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Ray Nobleby Jeff ‘Two-Tone Boogie’One time Musical Director of HMV (1929 to 1934) Ray Noble is the subject of this months look into the world of vintage music.

An Important band leader who never seemed to reach his full potential Ray Noble was born Raymond Stanley Noble on December 17th 1903 at No 1 Montpelier Terrace, Brighton, England. Noble was an English bandleader, arranger, composer, lyricist, actor and radio comedian who composed and performed many of the popular songs during the era known as “The Golden Age of British Music” It is noted that Ray Noble and Al Bowley were long-time friends and worked together many times but especially on the recordings of “Love is the Sweetest Thing”, “The Touch of Your Lips”, “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You”, “Isle of Capri” and Noble’s theme tune “The Very Thought of You”.

Ray Noble had a strange career, ranging from concert, radio and stage to television. A classically

trained pianist whose interest was dance music he studied at the Royal Academy of Music and was winner of the ‘Best British Dance Band’ competition in 1927 and also winner of one of ‘The Big Band Arrangement’ competitions sponsored by Melody Maker. In 1929 Ray Noble became leader of the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, this band being an HMV Records studio Band that featured many of the top players of the day. He also played a radio comedian on the Edgar Bergen radio show and stage act of Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy, and American comedy duo Burns and Allen, all of these later transferring from radio to TV. During his time as Musical Director at HMV, Noble recorded many top tunes of the day with his band The Mayfair Dance Orchestra. The most popular vocalist with Noble’s studio band was Al Bowley, who joined in 1930.

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During this time Noble co-wrote “Turkish Delight”, “By the Fireside” and “Goodnight, Sweetheart”. The latter was a number one hit for Guy Lombardo in the United States charts.

Noble’s music was mainly dance orientated, sometimes with a little touch of “Hot Jazz” thrown in for good measure. The Noble/Bowley recordings with the British New Mayfair Dance Orchestra on HMV had achieved popularity in the United States and Noble had several number one hits on the US singles charts. Building on this American success Noble went to the United States in 1935 taking with him Al Bowley and his drummer Bill Harty. With the help of a young Glenn Miller Noble got together one of the finest American Orchestra’s. This orchestra included for a time Glenn Miller, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Erwin, Charlie Spivak, Johnny Mintz,

Claude Thornhill and Will Bradley. It is noted that Glenn Miller was very influenced by Noble’s approach and arranging style, borrowing “Moonlight Serenade” from Noble’s book. Ray Noble and his Orchestra had a fair run at The Rainbow Room in New York City with Bowley as principle vocalist. In 1937 Ray Noble’s American Orchestra broke up with Noble becoming more famous as an emcee on radio. Although not known as a singer, Noble did appear twice as an upper-class Englishman on two of his more popular New York records, 1935’s “Top Hat” and 1937’s “Slumming on Park Avenue”. Ray Noble also scored many record hits in the 1930s, notably “Mad About the Boy” from 1932, “Paris in the Spring” from 1935 and the 1936 hit “Easy to Love”. Noble and his orchestra appeared in the 1937 film A ‘Damsel in Distress’ with Fred Astaire, Joan Fontaine, George

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Burns and Gracie Allen. While the band achieved marked success, especially during its engagements in The Rainbow Room, it never reached the level of his British bands and was disbanded in 1937, Ray Noble stayed in America when in 1938 Al Bowley decided to return to England, Noble continued to lead bands and started an acting career in Hollywood.

In a movie short from the 1940s featuring Ray Noble and Buddy Clark (one of his most popular band singers), Ray Noble is asked by the announcer to play one of his most popular hits. He sits down at the piano and plays “Goodnight, Sweetheart”. Ray Noble provided music for many radio shows like ‘The Chase and Sanborn Hour’, ‘The Charlie McCarthy Show’ and ‘Burns and Allen’ and also guest-appeared in some of their films, his orchestra appeared with Edgar Bergen in the 1942 film ‘Here We

Go Again’. He also provided the orchestration for the 1942 Lou Gehrig biopic ‘The Pride of the Yankees’ starring Gary Cooper. Noble’s last major successes as a bandleader came with Buddy Clark in the late 1940s.

Although Ray Noble was an accomplished pianist he rarely played with any of his bands, keeping this talent for entertaining at home. Noble wrote his first major hit, the immortal “Goodnight Sweetheart,” in 1931, and soon followed it with “By The Fireside,” “I Found You” and “What More Can I Ask” as well as the ever popular “Cherokee”. Ray Noble retired to Santa Barbara, California. In the late 1960s Noble relocated to Jersey in the Channel Islands. He died in London in April 1978 at age 71 from cancer. His songs, however, live on as a living monument to his great composing skills.

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New Years Eve was upon us and while everyone was making plans for the coming evening I was hot footing it over to the Southbank Centre from my regular pitch in Oxford Street where I had spent a busy day flogging nylons & dodging coppers!

I was very privileged to be the compere, for the second year running in the Torch Club in the magnificent Clore ballroom. Wayne & Geraldine Hemingways Vintage Festival were again playing host to this wonderful venue in the heart of London. Every floor was filled wall to wall with music, fashion, art and style spanning the decades from the 1930s to the 1980s including the Soul casino, Let it rock and many others but my duty was in the Torch Club.

Superbly curated by ‘Snowboy’ aka Mark Cotgrove. the ballroom looked amazing and was tastefully decorated to transform

it into a dancehall/nightclub of yesteryear with 2 massive cinema screens showing black & white clips of artists, musicians and bands from back in the day. The line-up was second to none. The headline band were the world famous Pasadena Roof Orchestra with the fabulous Bevin Boys in support. DJ Tim Hellzapoppin was at the decks and Mark & Hoc Ewing were there to give

‘Viv the Spiv’s’

New Years Eve

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the non-dancers some lessons in dances of the period.

The moment that the doors opened at 7.30 the place came alive. The Bevin Boys hit the stage and went straight into a foot tapping up tempo number which immediately filled the dance floor. People didn’t even get their coats off, they just hit the floor and the whole place came alive! Instant atmosphere and total transformation to how things would have looked 70 or more years ago. The Clore ballroom was made for nights like this. The dance floor itself being fully sprung was giving a good bounce just as it was meant to do. We were all set for a superb evening ahead!

Dance lessons from Mr Mark Ewing and his lovely wife Hoc ensured that everyone could get onto the floor for a Charleston or Foxtrot and after DJ Tim Hellzapoppin had taken to the decks we were ready for the main attraction.

As I introduced the `Pasadena Roof Orchestra` a big cheer hit the room and almost took the roof off! The band sounded superb and looked fantastic, all wearing black tie as was bandleader Mr Duncan Galloway, suitably attired in tail coat & sporting a bright red carnation!

A fantastic evening of music ensued with 2 sets from the Pasadena Roof Orchestra before it was time for me to announce to the New Years Eve revellers that at 12 o,clock the world famous NYE firework display was due!

People filed out, some ran, some walked, some even danced out onto the balcony to get a good spot to see this wonderful spectacle above the London skyline. What a wonderful sight. Breath taking, jaw dropping even, and it also gave me a chance to flog some fags and nylons at the same time!

Back in the ballroom at almost 12.30 the Pasadena Roof Orchestra struck up again and filled the room with their unmistakable sound and revellers danced the night away. What an amazing evening this was. Tim played on until 2.30 when he reluctantly played the last tune, the evening had come to an end, the night had gone in a blink and here we all were in 2014.

A night of happy memories, a great New Years Eve Vintage party in the Torch Club!

Lets do it all again this year! Happy New Year Folks! Cheers.Viv the Spiv.

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16th - 20th July 2014The Dig for Victory ShowNorth Somerset Showground near Bristol. An affordable, family orientated weekend event to explore this turbulent yet thought-provoking period in our recent history. The aim is to bring history alive and the generations together Weekend or day passes available. Dance on the Saturday night.Visit www.digforvictoryshow.com for more details.

16th - 20th July 2014The War & Peace RevivalRAF Westhanger, Folkestone Racecourse. After last years move to this new venue there is even more to see and do at this massive military vehicle event. Check the website for full details.Visit www.thewarandpeacerevival.co.uk for more details.

25th July 2014The 1940’s Society - SevenoaksIreland During the Second World War - An illustrated lecture by Dr Bryce EvansThere is much rumour and speculation as to the role of Ireland during WW2, most of it unsubstantiated. Dr Bryce is the author of a new book on the subject which at last details the social and economic history of Ireland during the Second World War. This will be a fascinating evening covering an area which is seldom considered.

8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

25th - 27th July 2014Festival of the Forties - Peterborough Big event with lots of vehicles, stalls and re-enactment. Take a look at the website for more information on what looks to be a great show. www.1940sfest.org 26th - 27th July 2014Leyburn Home Front Vintage FairThornborough Hall, Moor Road Leyburn North Yorkshire DL8 5AB Free admission Great selection of vintage and retro goodies, authentic period items, fashions, jewellery, home-wares, something for everyone interested in vintage. Information from BR Events www.brevents.co.uk email website@brevents.co.uk or call 07779342782

16th - 17th August 2014Combined Ops Show - Headcorn Airfield, Kent The Invicta Military-Vehicle Preservation Society Military vehicles, entertainment, re-enactors, aeroplanes and a very friendly atmosphere. I attended last year and had a great weekend. I plan to go again this year. Take a look at the website for more information www.combinedops.co.uk

23rd - 25th August 2014Military Odyssey - Detling With groups covering a vast period of global history, including Romans, Vikings, Medieval, the English Civil War, Napoleonic, the American Civil War, the Wild West, World Wars I & II, Vietnam right up to the present day. Details at:www.military-odyssey.com

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

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5th - 7th September 2014The Victory Show-Cosby LE9 1SG Held over a 100 acre site, the Show provides Historical Societies and re-enactments through various forces from several era’s and theatres during the period of 1939-45. From Airmen to Infantry, the Victory Show opens a window in time to the fabulous 1940’s.Details: www.thevictoryshow.co.uk 13th September 2014Spitfire Bounce 7-30pmSwing, Jive & Boogie all night to music from the 1940s & early 1950s. Holy Trinity Hall, Dover Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3EG. Dress to Impress, 40s or 50s Civilian or Allied uniformFree tea, coffee & doughnuts, Please bring your own drinksTickets £7 on the doorDetails: 07931 674 158 or www.preservers of sound.com 20th - 21st September 2014Salute to the 40s - Chatham Dockyard An annual event which goes down in the diary of many every year. Set in the Historic Chatham Dockyard this event includes re-enactors, vintage vehicles, traders and much more including the normal attractions at the dockyard. Further details at www.thedockyard.co.uk

26th September 2014The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks Army Bomb Disposal in the Second World WarSusan HudsonSusan Hudson is an author, lecturer and radio presenter whose book ‘UXB Malta’ gives an account of the dangerous and unpredictable job of bomb disposal in Malta.

Tonight she will be giving an illustrated talk on the challenging and dangerous job of the British Army bomb disposal teams.8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3 11th October 2014The Coco Club Enjoy the style and glamour of the 1930s at the Stag Theatre Plaza Suite, Sevenoaks - 7.30 pmThis vintage nightclub features period music from Empire Radio and live performances by Brandyn Shaw and his Rythm Makers.This is an opportunity to wear your best classic clothing and enjoy an evening of fabulous music, social dancing and a unique atmosphere.Tickets £15.00. Order Now on 01732 450175 or online at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk 14th - 17th November 2014Riviera Swing - 30’s & 40s Weekender Victoria Hotel in TorquayRIVIERA SWING is a unique and small 30’s and 40’s long-weekender dedicated to providing the very best AUTHENTIC period entertainment. Details at www.rivieraswing.co.uk 28th November 2014The 1940’s Society - Sevenoaks Doodlebugs - V1s & V2s Bob OgleyBob Ogley is well known in Kent as an author, journalist, historian and excellent speaker.8pm at Otford Memorial Hall near Sevenoaks, Kent.Further details from Ian on 01732 452505 Admission £3

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The 1940’s SocietyMembership Application 2014

I hope you have found this issue both interesting and informative and would like to receive it on a regular basis.

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Membership is just £15 per year (£30 non UK).

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Issue 86