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Life at Home
Alan Payne February 2018 Rev Arthur Maltin asked, "Will 1941 see the end of this struggle? Will it bring in victory and peace?" [1] The answer was a decisive no and the war worsened leading to the introduction of compulsory National Service. The restrictions of the war soon imposed on daily life in Box. |
Labour shortages everywhere (courtesy Margaret Wakefield)
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Bill Cooper Remembers the Bingham Hall Cafe
As a result of the increase in population with all the military personnel there was a need for a nightly refreshment facility for staff, other than public houses. The Bingham Hall was opened every weekday night from 7pm to 10pm as a canteen for tea and biscuits. It was manned by the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS, an offshoot of the Women’s Institute) and I still have my mother’s WVS badge! In the summer evenings I could lay in bed and hear the haunting tones of Vera Lynn singing coming from the Hall.
Everyone (including infants) was issued with a ration book which you had to present to a grocer, who retained it because you were registered with them. Our supplier was Bence's shop in the Market Place, others went to the Co-op. Wherever you were allocated, there you generally had to stay. This rationing system was retained well until the 1950s.
As a result of the increase in population with all the military personnel there was a need for a nightly refreshment facility for staff, other than public houses. The Bingham Hall was opened every weekday night from 7pm to 10pm as a canteen for tea and biscuits. It was manned by the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS, an offshoot of the Women’s Institute) and I still have my mother’s WVS badge! In the summer evenings I could lay in bed and hear the haunting tones of Vera Lynn singing coming from the Hall.
Everyone (including infants) was issued with a ration book which you had to present to a grocer, who retained it because you were registered with them. Our supplier was Bence's shop in the Market Place, others went to the Co-op. Wherever you were allocated, there you generally had to stay. This rationing system was retained well until the 1950s.
Changes in Everyday Life
The hall was one of the central assembly points and shelter when the air raid evacuation procedures warned of an attack on Box. To keep up morale, a canteen was established there under the control of Mrs Burton.[2] It sold hot meals, particularly needed when it was difficult to get cooking fat for domestic use. It also sold cakes, sandwiches and teas.
When not in use as a shelter, the hall was used as a Games and Rest Room and, to keep up morale, it accommodated village dances and was a meeting room for village organisations. A blood transfusion service was instigated there proposing a pint or so of blood, which will be bottled and sent in most cases to France.[3]
The hall was one of the central assembly points and shelter when the air raid evacuation procedures warned of an attack on Box. To keep up morale, a canteen was established there under the control of Mrs Burton.[2] It sold hot meals, particularly needed when it was difficult to get cooking fat for domestic use. It also sold cakes, sandwiches and teas.
When not in use as a shelter, the hall was used as a Games and Rest Room and, to keep up morale, it accommodated village dances and was a meeting room for village organisations. A blood transfusion service was instigated there proposing a pint or so of blood, which will be bottled and sent in most cases to France.[3]
Box School only opened from Tuesday to Thursdays and Box Church closed the side aisles in case there should be splintered glass in an air attack. Villagers were concerned of German attacks on Box because of our close proximity to places which must be nameless (the munitions depot). The council distributed 3,000 sand bags to residents in Box and Corsham to use for civil defence.[4]
By 1940 there were sometimes five air raid warnings a day, so many that they were largely ignored by the coach loads of workmen going to and from Corsham and Bath, often 30 bus loads, sometimes more, rattling through the village at night. It was impossible to conduct normal life with so many warnings. The blackout of light at night, the carrying of gas masks, the removal of all road signs to confuse enemy invaders caused a continuing interruption of normal life. Everyday events were suddenly cancelled. In 1940 the August Festival service in the church was severely curtailed: Very few of the organisations and societies of the parish were adequately represented, with the exception of the Scout group, the Guides and the Brownies.[5]
By May 1940 there was a serious threat of German invasion with France overrun and Nazi directives to attack the south coast of England. The Kennet and Avon Canal was prepared as a defensive barrier (the GCHQ Line) and 18,000 pillboxes reportedly built on the north bank of the canal within 6 months.[6]
By 1940 there were sometimes five air raid warnings a day, so many that they were largely ignored by the coach loads of workmen going to and from Corsham and Bath, often 30 bus loads, sometimes more, rattling through the village at night. It was impossible to conduct normal life with so many warnings. The blackout of light at night, the carrying of gas masks, the removal of all road signs to confuse enemy invaders caused a continuing interruption of normal life. Everyday events were suddenly cancelled. In 1940 the August Festival service in the church was severely curtailed: Very few of the organisations and societies of the parish were adequately represented, with the exception of the Scout group, the Guides and the Brownies.[5]
By May 1940 there was a serious threat of German invasion with France overrun and Nazi directives to attack the south coast of England. The Kennet and Avon Canal was prepared as a defensive barrier (the GCHQ Line) and 18,000 pillboxes reportedly built on the north bank of the canal within 6 months.[6]
David Ibberson Added Memories of Babies and Infants in Wartime
The reference to the issue of gas masks during the war might raise the question, what about babies? Well as an infant, I had one. Parents put their babies in the mask which were styled like a primitive carry cot. At the end of the war these masks became great playthings for toddlers. Christmas always brought much excitement but modern Christmas boxes, such as anything electronic, was not on our horizon. All we wanted was a banana.
The reference to the issue of gas masks during the war might raise the question, what about babies? Well as an infant, I had one. Parents put their babies in the mask which were styled like a primitive carry cot. At the end of the war these masks became great playthings for toddlers. Christmas always brought much excitement but modern Christmas boxes, such as anything electronic, was not on our horizon. All we wanted was a banana.
Housing Shortages
A legal case in February 1941 highlighted how poor some of Box's housing had become.[7] When Reginald John Summer tried to evict a builder's labourer from a tenanted property at 2 Mill Lane for rent arrears, the court heard that the house comprised one-up and one-down and slept Herbert Owen Stacey and his wife and their three young children. Stacey had lived there for 25 years and his wife for about 41 years.
The existing chronic shortage and overcrowding was made worse by the secondment of properties for military purposes.
In March 1941 there were 2,000 people in Bath on a housing waiting list.[8]
National Savings
The war sucked in all available resources. The public were urged to Save to Win the War as part of their patriotic duty and contributed many millions of pounds to the National Savings movement. Women led the initiative in Box and formed a Village Savings Group in February 1940.[9]
In October 1941 local Warship Weeks were introduced to encourage the second (national) thousand million pounds in war savings.[10] Every parish in the country was encouraged to arrange activities to promote the initiative. The Admiralty made the events distinctive with replicas of the ships' badges and the history of ships' names on display. The initiative was never enough when each battleship cost £10 million and a destroyer £750,000.[11] Another initiative was to fund ambulances. In 1941 Bathford raised £843 enough to have funded three ambulances of about £300 each, and the sum of £3,729 since the start of the National Savings Group in June 1940.[12]
There were collections in Box for the Royal United Hospital, Red Cross Prisoner of War Fund, St John’s Flag Day, Wiltshire Blind and Church War Repairs Fund. The Scouts continued their good work (despite the move of Colonel Phil Lambert to Shrewsbury) collecting used paper, and 5 shillings from their tuck shop were donated to the Spitfire Fund. Box village adopted HMS Cyclops for aid in Warship Week in May 1942 and a certificate was received from the Lords Commissioners of Admiralty.[13]
Making Do
A Red Cross Working Party was formed at the Bingham Hall in October 1939 to knit and recycle materials to make nightshirts, vests, bandages and short drawers.[14] Organised by Mrs Kidston (Hazelbury Manor) and assisted by Mrs Wilkinson (Ashley House), the group organised whist drives and variety entertainment to raise funds to buy wool and materials. Mills Platt was taken over by the Chelsea Food Services for the production of semolina, good nutritional food that would keep until needed.
Other recycling was undertaken through A dump for scrap metal (iron, steel, brass, copper) at the main entrance of the Recreation Field and any aluminium for aircraft production was to be left with Mr J Brooke at 2 Mead Villas, the chairman of the parish council. Meanwhile the iron railings around the church were removed for the war effort but not the railings round the tombs (which) were eaten away with rust.[15]
A legal case in February 1941 highlighted how poor some of Box's housing had become.[7] When Reginald John Summer tried to evict a builder's labourer from a tenanted property at 2 Mill Lane for rent arrears, the court heard that the house comprised one-up and one-down and slept Herbert Owen Stacey and his wife and their three young children. Stacey had lived there for 25 years and his wife for about 41 years.
The existing chronic shortage and overcrowding was made worse by the secondment of properties for military purposes.
In March 1941 there were 2,000 people in Bath on a housing waiting list.[8]
National Savings
The war sucked in all available resources. The public were urged to Save to Win the War as part of their patriotic duty and contributed many millions of pounds to the National Savings movement. Women led the initiative in Box and formed a Village Savings Group in February 1940.[9]
In October 1941 local Warship Weeks were introduced to encourage the second (national) thousand million pounds in war savings.[10] Every parish in the country was encouraged to arrange activities to promote the initiative. The Admiralty made the events distinctive with replicas of the ships' badges and the history of ships' names on display. The initiative was never enough when each battleship cost £10 million and a destroyer £750,000.[11] Another initiative was to fund ambulances. In 1941 Bathford raised £843 enough to have funded three ambulances of about £300 each, and the sum of £3,729 since the start of the National Savings Group in June 1940.[12]
There were collections in Box for the Royal United Hospital, Red Cross Prisoner of War Fund, St John’s Flag Day, Wiltshire Blind and Church War Repairs Fund. The Scouts continued their good work (despite the move of Colonel Phil Lambert to Shrewsbury) collecting used paper, and 5 shillings from their tuck shop were donated to the Spitfire Fund. Box village adopted HMS Cyclops for aid in Warship Week in May 1942 and a certificate was received from the Lords Commissioners of Admiralty.[13]
Making Do
A Red Cross Working Party was formed at the Bingham Hall in October 1939 to knit and recycle materials to make nightshirts, vests, bandages and short drawers.[14] Organised by Mrs Kidston (Hazelbury Manor) and assisted by Mrs Wilkinson (Ashley House), the group organised whist drives and variety entertainment to raise funds to buy wool and materials. Mills Platt was taken over by the Chelsea Food Services for the production of semolina, good nutritional food that would keep until needed.
Other recycling was undertaken through A dump for scrap metal (iron, steel, brass, copper) at the main entrance of the Recreation Field and any aluminium for aircraft production was to be left with Mr J Brooke at 2 Mead Villas, the chairman of the parish council. Meanwhile the iron railings around the church were removed for the war effort but not the railings round the tombs (which) were eaten away with rust.[15]
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Dig For Victory
The German U-boat campaign to blockade British imports of North American food and materials caused severe shortages and the government launched the Dig For Victory initiative to grow food on every available piece of land. The campaign was launched in Bath shortly after January 1940 when the Ministry of Agriculture encouraged available public parks and green spaces to be cultivated. [16] By 1941 golf courses were being ploughed up, and the Lansdown course, Bath, was cultivated right up to the playing area.[17] By 1943 the field in front of the Royal Crescent, Bath was converted into allotments.[18] The newspapers were full of gardening information, some serious and others quirky. The Bath Chronicle urged gardeners to grow more onions in March 1941 suggesting that There was far more in planting during a waxing moon rather than a waning moon.[19] But the situation with local livestock was hindered in the winter of 1942 with an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which originated in Bath, due to the use of unboiled swill and resulted in the slaughter of 9,868 cattle.[20] Right: National advertising (courtesy Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald 4 April 1942) |
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Box started to form food production clubs including a Pig Club at Ditteridge and a Rural Pie Scheme run by the Women's Voluntary Services to take lunches out to the Women's Land Army to allow them to keep working in the fields. In October 1943 a Village Produce Association meeting was held in the Bingham Hall with guidance on keeping bees and rabbits under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In August 1944 the parish magazine gave a recipe for summer vegetable jam from carrots, turnips, beetroots and prune kernels.
Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald 12 May 1943
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Rationing
In June 1941 there were drastic cuts in supplementary petrol allowances for local businesses and individuals with special needs, such as doctors.[21] The restrictions were extended to foodstuffs and everyone was registered with a named retailer. Even the most law-abiding people found they could be liable for minor breeches of the law. Mrs Dorothy M Taylor, wife of Richard Taylor, who was living at 3 The Market Place, Box found this out when she bought syrup for household consumption otherwise than from a retailer with whom she was registered and was duly fined 10s.[22] |
that Dorothy Taylor was summoned for obtaining some syrup. This is a Dorothy M. Taylor of the Market Place Box. On the 1939 register it looks like this Dorothy is married to Richard Taylor. So, I think by what else you say in the article that you have got Dorothy M Taylor crossed with my Aunt, Dorothy F. E. Taylor
The complexity of the rules and the desperation of customers to get goods led to many people getting into trouble. Ronald Chapman Webb from the Parade, Market Place was fined £5 for selling 3½ lb of potatoes for 6d when the authorised price was 3¾d.[23] Ronald Webb unsuccessfully defended his charges by saying that these were different to his normal goods because he had washed and prepared them for cooking in his Fish and Chip Shop.
The scope of restrictions got increasingly wide, petrol (1939), butter, meat and tea (1940), cheese and clothing (1941) and sweets and soap (1942). Queues, shortages and eating by availability became the norm. In the summer of 1943 a unified ration book for food and clothing was issued to Box residents together with new identity cards.[24]
One of the problems was when your officially nominated shop was unable to supply all of its customers. In August 1943 a queue of serious-looking people waited on several days at the Bath Food Office, doggedly determined to change their retailer.[25] The problem seemed to be lack of egg supplies and the council urgently requested new suppliers to get in touch to avoid unnecessary administration involved in transfers.
Accidents
The possibility of sudden death recurred in village life, both of servicemen abroad and of accidents at home caused by vehicles in the blackout. One of the most damaging incidents was in March 1941 when two RAF officers, Squadron-Leader Francis John Buckland and Flight-Lieutenant Francis James Davies were killed in a car crash at Batheaston returning from the theatre in Bath when their car came into collision with a lorry. Other road users, Flight-Lieutenant Whittaker and Mrs Read, landlady of the Northey Arms, became involved in the crash and were seriously injured.[26]
Tragedy was a recurrent problem with poorly-trained servicemen put into highly dangerous situations. In February 1941 thirty-four year old Private James Mitchell was part of a party of nine soldiers guarding Box Tunnel. He was sent to collect coal but got too close to the tracks and was got caught up when two trains passed each other in the tunnel. PC Coles of Box found the deceased lying face down in a pool of blood killed by a cracked skull caused by one of the trains.[27]
The situation was particularly difficult for bus drivers trying to move the huge numbers of factory workers. The buses usually went in slow-moving convoys causing frustration for drivers, passengers and residents and one collision often caused a multiple accident.[28] The problem continued throughout the war. In May 1943 a bus load with workers returning from a Wiltshire factory travelling along the Box Road to Bath was in collision with a motor car at Box Fiveways junction.[29] The car passenger was fatally injured.
The complexity of the rules and the desperation of customers to get goods led to many people getting into trouble. Ronald Chapman Webb from the Parade, Market Place was fined £5 for selling 3½ lb of potatoes for 6d when the authorised price was 3¾d.[23] Ronald Webb unsuccessfully defended his charges by saying that these were different to his normal goods because he had washed and prepared them for cooking in his Fish and Chip Shop.
The scope of restrictions got increasingly wide, petrol (1939), butter, meat and tea (1940), cheese and clothing (1941) and sweets and soap (1942). Queues, shortages and eating by availability became the norm. In the summer of 1943 a unified ration book for food and clothing was issued to Box residents together with new identity cards.[24]
One of the problems was when your officially nominated shop was unable to supply all of its customers. In August 1943 a queue of serious-looking people waited on several days at the Bath Food Office, doggedly determined to change their retailer.[25] The problem seemed to be lack of egg supplies and the council urgently requested new suppliers to get in touch to avoid unnecessary administration involved in transfers.
Accidents
The possibility of sudden death recurred in village life, both of servicemen abroad and of accidents at home caused by vehicles in the blackout. One of the most damaging incidents was in March 1941 when two RAF officers, Squadron-Leader Francis John Buckland and Flight-Lieutenant Francis James Davies were killed in a car crash at Batheaston returning from the theatre in Bath when their car came into collision with a lorry. Other road users, Flight-Lieutenant Whittaker and Mrs Read, landlady of the Northey Arms, became involved in the crash and were seriously injured.[26]
Tragedy was a recurrent problem with poorly-trained servicemen put into highly dangerous situations. In February 1941 thirty-four year old Private James Mitchell was part of a party of nine soldiers guarding Box Tunnel. He was sent to collect coal but got too close to the tracks and was got caught up when two trains passed each other in the tunnel. PC Coles of Box found the deceased lying face down in a pool of blood killed by a cracked skull caused by one of the trains.[27]
The situation was particularly difficult for bus drivers trying to move the huge numbers of factory workers. The buses usually went in slow-moving convoys causing frustration for drivers, passengers and residents and one collision often caused a multiple accident.[28] The problem continued throughout the war. In May 1943 a bus load with workers returning from a Wiltshire factory travelling along the Box Road to Bath was in collision with a motor car at Box Fiveways junction.[29] The car passenger was fatally injured.
Keeping Up Morale with Maisie Gay
The disruption of normal life took its toll on morale and rumours abounded. Maisie Gay, the former musical comedy and revue star, became a centre of optimism. In November 1940 she had to deny that she was in ill-health and confirmed that Ivor Novello and Tom Walls were some of her friends who popped into her house at Whirligig, Kingsdown, for a chat.[30] But the truth was that she had not been out of her bedroom for four years.
The disruption of normal life took its toll on morale and rumours abounded. Maisie Gay, the former musical comedy and revue star, became a centre of optimism. In November 1940 she had to deny that she was in ill-health and confirmed that Ivor Novello and Tom Walls were some of her friends who popped into her house at Whirligig, Kingsdown, for a chat.[30] But the truth was that she had not been out of her bedroom for four years.
Despite her illness, Maisie Gay rose to the challenge of the war and recalled the days of her triumphs. Aged 58 and stricken with arthritis which left her propped up in her bed, she recorded programmes for national radio, starting with her memories of a musical play, Soldier Boy, in which she had starred when it ran for 372 nights in the West End in 1918. Her health deteriorated but she continued to perform, write and record a series of six weekly broadcasts in April 1941 aimed to bring Joy in simple things to invalids like herself.[31] Her performance was very popular and she received shoals of congratulatory telegrams and letters and it was extended for a further three weeks.[32]
The spirits of the village were enlightened when a dance was organised in the Bingham Hall in March 1941 for the Mayor of Bristol's Air Raid Relief Fund.[33] Box Girl Guides brought a little lightness with a variety concert called Here We Are Again at the Bingham Hall. But the truth was that the war was worsening in 1941 and the possibility of invasion became more apparent.
The spirits of the village were enlightened when a dance was organised in the Bingham Hall in March 1941 for the Mayor of Bristol's Air Raid Relief Fund.[33] Box Girl Guides brought a little lightness with a variety concert called Here We Are Again at the Bingham Hall. But the truth was that the war was worsening in 1941 and the possibility of invasion became more apparent.
By 1941 there were other efforts to raise morale. Mrs Stanley Brunt organised for the Lita-Jane School of Dancing, Bath, to perform in front of a packed audience in the Bingham Hall in September 1941.[34] The young Jean Richards played a pianoforte solo, there were 39 dances arranged by Jane Biggs and Mrs Joan Warwick and a play The Sticky Plot produced by Mrs Brunt included actors from throughout the village. Trying to keep up normal life and to remember happy times was most important but it was impossible to ignore the war altogether and proceeds from the event were divided between the Box Church of England Sunday School and the Red Cross Working Party.
Bill Cooper Remembers Box Cricket Club
Box Cricket Club ceased to put on matches during the war with the great players such as Ben Vezey, Alex Benjamin and the (then) young Nigel Bence being called up. This closedown did not include the pitch and pavilion. Luckily, the Commanding Officer of the Pioneer Corps at Ashley, Colonel Brocklebank, was obviously a cricket fan and every Wednesday morning in the season, a working party of men would appear and proceed to mow the pitch and the outfield, in the course of their weekly sports afternoon.
The pavilion was always fully open and youngsters were able to try-on pads, and enjoy the tea which was free for all, complete with condensed milk in the tea!! (Later long after the war, I was proud to open the batting with Nigel Bence for a number of years.)
Box Cricket Club ceased to put on matches during the war with the great players such as Ben Vezey, Alex Benjamin and the (then) young Nigel Bence being called up. This closedown did not include the pitch and pavilion. Luckily, the Commanding Officer of the Pioneer Corps at Ashley, Colonel Brocklebank, was obviously a cricket fan and every Wednesday morning in the season, a working party of men would appear and proceed to mow the pitch and the outfield, in the course of their weekly sports afternoon.
The pavilion was always fully open and youngsters were able to try-on pads, and enjoy the tea which was free for all, complete with condensed milk in the tea!! (Later long after the war, I was proud to open the batting with Nigel Bence for a number of years.)
References
[1] Parish Magazine
[2] Parish Magazine, March 1941
[3] Parish Magazine, December 1939
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 3 May 1941
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[6] Julia Bradbury, Canal Walks, BBC TV
[7] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 February 1941
[8] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 March 1941
[9] Parish Magazine, February 1940
[10] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 October 1941
[11] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 22 November 1941
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 October 1941
[13] Claire Higgens, Box Wiltshire: An Intimate History, p.52
[14] Parish Magazine, February 1940
[15] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[16] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 January 1941
[17] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 March 1941
[18] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 16 January 1943
[19] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 March 1941
[20] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 January 1943
[21] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 28 June 1941
[22] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 26 July 1941
[23] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 20 September 1941
[24] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 12 June 1943
[25] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 14 August 1943
[26] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 March 1941, 15 March 1941 and 31 January 1942
[27] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 February 1941
[28] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 5 September 1942
[29] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 26 June 1943
[30] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 30 November 1940 and 15 January 1941
[31] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 29 March 1941 and 12 April 1941
[32] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 3 May 1941 and 17 May 1941
[33] David Ibberson, Lambert’s Way, p.23
[34] The Wiltshire Times, 6 September 1941
[1] Parish Magazine
[2] Parish Magazine, March 1941
[3] Parish Magazine, December 1939
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 3 May 1941
[5] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[6] Julia Bradbury, Canal Walks, BBC TV
[7] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 February 1941
[8] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 March 1941
[9] Parish Magazine, February 1940
[10] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 October 1941
[11] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 22 November 1941
[12] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 October 1941
[13] Claire Higgens, Box Wiltshire: An Intimate History, p.52
[14] Parish Magazine, February 1940
[15] Parish Magazine, August 1940
[16] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 18 January 1941
[17] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 March 1941
[18] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 16 January 1943
[19] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 15 March 1941
[20] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 2 January 1943
[21] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 28 June 1941
[22] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 26 July 1941
[23] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 20 September 1941
[24] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 12 June 1943
[25] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 14 August 1943
[26] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 March 1941, 15 March 1941 and 31 January 1942
[27] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 8 February 1941
[28] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 5 September 1942
[29] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 26 June 1943
[30] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 30 November 1940 and 15 January 1941
[31] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 29 March 1941 and 12 April 1941
[32] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 3 May 1941 and 17 May 1941
[33] David Ibberson, Lambert’s Way, p.23
[34] The Wiltshire Times, 6 September 1941