Newspaper Stories 1943-1949 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

Go to content

Newspaper Stories 1943-1949

History > Newspaper Stories 1940 - 1979
3.1.1940TimesDearer Coal and Electricity (see article)
5.1.1940Dartford ChronicleThree days of childrens' entertainments
6.1.1940Dartford ChronicleLand Girls at Hartley (see article)
6.1.1940Kent MessengerChristmas 1939 (see article)
16.2.1940Dartford ChronicleJohn B Gayes of Hartley Wood Corner - faulty car lights
17.2.1940Daily MirrorHartley Comic (see article)
1.3.1940Dartford ChronicleLeft Book Club Meeting on "Federal Union"
8.3.1940Dartford Chronicle Hartley Rates up from 10/5 to 11/7 in the pound
9.3.1940Kent MessengerCook housekeeper wanted at The Anchorage, Ash Road, annual salary £50
9.3.1940Kent MessengerGo ahead for Hartley School Canteen
15.3.1940Dartford ChronicleARP - public shelter at junction of Hoselands Hill and Station Road, Longfield; and near Pepper Hill, Southfleet
15.3.1940Dartford ChronicleHartley House - American Tea for wool to make sailors' comforts
16.3.1940Kent MessengerFrederick Welch (of Dalesford, Castle Hill) writes letter attacking conscientious objectors
16.3.1940Kent Messenger 49 attend WI Meeting. Members have knitted 76 items for troops.
21.3.1940The TimesSouthern Railway AGM (see article)
22.3.1940Dartford ChronicleRestrictions on certain kinds of cultivation
29.3.1940Dartford Chronicle Parish council complains of "unneccessary" expense of ARP Wardens
5.4.1940Dartford ChronicleEaster Activities for evacuees
5.4.1940Dartford ChronicleChantry Cottage, Stack Lane - knitting party for sailors' comforts
12.4.1940Dartford ChronicleTo let: Gossy Croft, Hartley Hill - £52 pa
12.4.1940Dartford ChronicleDudley Sizer of 1 Church Rd - speeding
12.4.1940Dartford ChronicleNewspaper reduced to 8 pages due to newsprint rationing
10.5.1940Dartford ChronicleWI Preserves Club has applied for 38 cwt of sugar (see also 12/26.7.40)
10.5.1940Dartford ChronicleElsa Benham's stage show for evacuees' canteen
18.5.1940Kent MessengerDozens of Tomato and cucumber plants for sale at Keston, Church Road
18.5.1940Kent MessengerMarriage of Katherine McDonald of Newbury, Ash Road to Ronald Lynds of Longfield
24.5.1940Dartford ChronicleObituary of Alice Maud Fitzroy-Mundy of The Bungalow, Church Road (84)
25.5.1940Kent MessengerObituary of Elvy William Cooper, blacksmith of Northfleet, son of Elvy Cooper, blacksmith of Hartley
31.5.1940Dartford ChronicleLand Girls - picture of them feeding cattle at a Hartley farm
31.5.1940Dartford ChronicleMr Langton, evacuees' headmaster, recalled to Eitham by LCC
7.6.1940Dartford ChronicleDartford RDC - aliens banned from area
14.6.1940Dartford ChronicleSavings Group considered
14.6.1940Dartford ChronicleObituary of Margaret E Elliott of St Johns Lane (69)
14.6.1940Dartford Chronicle Burglary at Meadow Cottage, home of Col Francis Willes
15.6.1940Kent MessengerParish council remove the name of Hartley from signage, agreement to widen St John’s Lane (see article).
21.6.1940Dartford ChronicleChurch Bell Ringing Prohibited
22.6.1940Kent MessengerLand of Len Harris, Stack Lane (?Beulah) is being used as a dump for scrap iron salvage
28.6.1940Dartford Chronicle Treveor, garden party for forces comforts attended by 100
5.7.1940Dartford ChronicleExperimental Dartford RDC scrap metal dump at Hartley
5.7.1940Dartford Chronicle Soldier killed in motor accident on Hoselands Hill
2.8.1940Dartford Chronicle H S West - failed to empty cesspool at 1 & 2 Jubilee Parade, Ash Rd
3.8.1940Kent MessengerH S West fined £2 plus costs for failing to empty cesspools at Jubilee Parade, Ash Road
16.8.1940Dartford Chronicle Obituary of Mrs Faith Temple of Oaklands, Church Rd (56)
16.8.1940Dartford Chronicle4-5 tons of scrap metal collected in Hartley
23.8.1940Dartford Chronicle Wedding of Constance E Gillman of Chilton, Church Rd
20.9.1940Dartford ChronicleWI - lectures on "Feeding and Cooking in Wartime"
21.9.1940Kent MessengerEnd of Whiffin Cottage (see article)
4.10.1940Dartford Chronicle Gorse Way man fined for speeding
4.10.1940Dartford Chronicle All Saints - Sunday services to be in schoolroom
4.10.1940Dartford ChronicleMarriage of Miss J H Fielder of the Stores at Congregational Ch
5.10.1940Kent Messenger24 lives lost in bombing of West Hill Hospital, Dartford (see article)
5.10.1940Kent MessengerRobert Burnsten Wilson of Riverview, Church Road– blackout regulations fine
5.10.1940Kent MessengerEdward Owen Jones of Elderberry Cottage, Church Road, fined for speeding at Welling
11.10.1940Dartford ChronicleParish Council - £41 6s 2d raised for Spitfire fund
12.10.1940Kent Messenger Parish council praises local fire fighters and also discusses widening of St John’s Lane (see article)
18.10.1940Dartford Chronicle More members of Hartley Home Guard needed
26.10.1940Kent MessengerGlenelm, Castle Hill to let for duration at 32 shillings per week; owner also put James Auto Cycle for sale - £9
15.11.1940Dartford Chronicle William E Barlow of View Point, Merton Ave, victim of assault.
22.11.1940Dartford ChronicleEngagement of Capt Algernon E Orde;
6.12.1940Dartford ChronicleSub-Committee of Dartford RDC re widening of St Johns Lane (see also 20.12.40)
20.12.1940Dartford Chronicle52 collected for .Spitfire Fund
27.12.1940Dartford ChronicleDora Stokes of Keston and David Grey of Brumleigh Church Road summon each other for assault (see article)
27.12.1940Dartford Chronicle Obituary of Paul Dennis of Ash Rd (65)
28.12.1940Kent MessengerEllerbys Agricultural Contractors advertise for tractor driver
10.1.1941Dartford Chronicle Spitfire fund now £66, £34 of which raised by Country Club
11.1.1941 Kent MessengerParish Council – Mr Gable coopted in place of A E Edward, who had resigned
18.1.1941Kent Messenger Former Old Downs school pupil C S Moseley successful in exam for naval cadets special entry (executive and engineering). (in 1945 he was Lieutenant on HMS LIverpool)
18.1.1941Kent Messenger WI Fruit Preserving Scheme (see article)
18.1.1941 Kent MessengerC S Moseley, former pupil at Old Downs success in Navy Cadet exam
18.1.1941 Kent MessengerRazor blade famine in Kent
25.1.1941 Kent MessengerAdverts: (1) Rooms to let – Mrs Foster, 3 Ash Road; (2) Morris Nine car 1930 for sale £4 – St Anthony’s (now Knoll Cottage), Ash Road
1.2.1941 Kent MessengerWI Fruit Preserving Success (see article)
1.2.1941 Kent MessengerAdverts: (1) Breeding rabbits and hatching eggs for sale – Glebe Cottage, Hoselands Hill; (2) Wagoner seeks situation – Hodges, Gun Station, Church Road
7.2.1941Dartford Chronicle Dr Evelyn Scott of Old Downs made deputy medical officer
8.2.1941Kent Messenger Robert William Cheesmur, conscientious objector (see article)
14.2.1941Dartford Chronicle Fire Watching: list of section leaders (see article)
15.2.1941 Kent MessengerDartford A Town of Book Lovers, 25.6% of population borrowed books, compared with 16.9% nationally
15.2.1941 Kent MessengerParish Council – KCC have withdrawn objections to widening St John’s Lane
15.2.1941 Kent MessengerIssue of phone books to residents suspended
22.2.1941Kent Messenger WI digs for victory (see article)
7.3.1941Dartford Chronicle William G Amos of Hartley Green - cycle lamp too bright
7.3.1941Dartford Chronicle £3,810 invested at Hartley PO during war weapons week
7.3.1941Dartford Chronicle Country Club - auction sale raises £38 to war weapons week
8.3.1941Kent Messenger War weapons week (see article)
8.3.1941 Kent MessengerKent Farmers dislike double summer time
14.3.1941Dartford Chronicle Peggy Day of Downs View, Ash Rd - no bicycle rear light
21.3.1941Kent Messenger Hartley annual parish meeting (see article)
22.3.1941 Kent MessengerAnnual Parish Meeting – St John’s Lane, war fundraising (se article)
22.3..1941 Kent MessengerAdverts: (1) Egg sittings – Mrs Stickland, Old Downs; (2) Store pigs for sale – Coney, Hartley Bottom
5.4.1941 Kent Messenger150 attend dance at Country Club to send cigarettes to local POWs.
11.4.1941Dartford Chronicle Obituary of Air Cadet George N Stickland of Old Downs (18)
19.4.1941 Kent MessengerGolden Wedding of Mr and Mrs George Day of North Ash Farm (see article)
26.4.1941 Kent MessengerHartley Refugee Association Annual Report (see article)
2.5.1941Dartford Chronicle WI Drama Group - 3 short plays (also in KM 10.5.1941)
3.5.1941 Kent MessengerObituary of Miss Clara Hannah Maria Greenwood, 83, of “Pleasant” (now Copthorne), Ash Road, retired teacher
10.5.1941 Kent MessengerTotal war savings – Dartford £1.13m, Gravesend £1.12m
23.5.1941Dartford Chronicle Advert for recruits to Kent Emergency Land Corps
6.6.1941Dartford Chronicle Marriage of Thomas Morgan and Dorothy Temple both of Hartley
7.6.1941 Kent MessengerWedding of T W Morgan of Greycote, Manor Drive and Dorothy Temple of Oaklands, Church Road, they are to live at 2 Rose Cottages, Essex Road, Longfield
7.6.1941 Kent MessengerAdverts: (1) 1933 Wolseley Car for sale £50 – Woodlands, Ash Road; (2) Home Lodge (now The Bex), Ash Road to let – A V Baker, 47 Devonshire Road, Weston super Mare
4.7.1941Dartford Chronicle Achibald W T Dearing of Gwenjonal, Church Rd - speeding
4.7.1941Dartford Chronicle Obituary of chairman of Dartford RDC written by Capt Bignell
4.7.1941Dartford Chronicle Cooperative Fruit Preserving Centre at WI Hall
11.7.1941Dartford Chronicle Will of Miss Frances E C Kirke of Braeside (£6,673)
18.7.1941Dartford Chronicle John Coulson of Ash Rd - left car unattended and unlocked
18.7.1941Dartford Chronicle Philop N Payne of Windermere, Church Rd - allowed uninsured driver to drive car
1.8.1941Dartford Chronicle, Kent Messenger Capt C S Bignell to become chairman of Dartford RDC (see article)
1.8.1941Kent Messenger Sale of Dairy Herd and Equipment at Hartley Manor Farm (see article)
8.8.1941Dartford Chronicle John Coulson of Newbury, Ash Rd - failed to leave car immobilised
15.8.1941Dartford Chronicle Parish Council - Mr Meddick resigns over winding up of Ash Rural Sanitary Committee
15.8.1941Dartford Chronicle Country Club Whist Drive for Navy Comforts
5.9.1941Dartford Chronicle All Saints - national day of prayer; collection for Lord Mayor of London's distress fund
19.9.1941Dartford Chronicle Archibald W T Deering of Church Rd denies paternity of child by Miss Edith R Clark (18)
19.9.1941Dartford Chronicle Ratepayers Association founded; chairman DTR Gray; secretary C D Mayley of The Baytrees, Gorse Way
19.9.1941Dartford Chronicle Boy guilty of "abominable cruelty" to dog - discovered by Mr Campkin of Cherry Orchard and Mrs Allkins of The Glebe
19&27.9.1941Daily Mirror Hartley Home Guard Disbanded (see article)
19.9.1941Dartford Chronicle Rural Youth Movement: first sports meeting includes Hartley
26.9.1941Dartford Chronicle Home Guard to be disbanded due to objections to appointment of Deryck Dallen as 2nd in command (3.10.41 - to be reformed)
17.10.1941Dartford Chronicle Visit of mobile YMCA Canteen
24.10.1941Dartford Chronicle Home Guard: applications for new platoon to Lt J R Stevens, Hazel Lodge, ash Rd
31.10.1941Dartford Chronicle Deryck N Dallen of Hartley Manor Farm - blackout offence (car)
14.11.1941Dartford Chronicle Ratepayers Assn - 60 at meeting, 115 members
14.11.1941Dartford Chronicle Country Club: YMCA & Red Cross Dance - RAF Dance Band Aid for Russia Whist Drive at Country Club (5.12.41)
14.11.1941Dartford Chronicle No progress on Hartley School Canteen
14.11.1941Dartford Chronicle WI Drama Group (many named)
14.11.1941Dartford Chronicle Protest meeting about increased rates due to cesspool emptying
26.12.1941Dartford Chronicle Letter from HT Penney of Windyridge to Dartford RDC
23.1.1942Dartford ChronicleDivorce of Elizabeth EL Constable of Hartley Old Rectory
31.1.1942Kent MessengerObituary of William Braybrook (84) see article
13.2.1942Dartford ChronicleArthur C Strutt of Knoll, Ash Rd - cycled without rear light
28.2.1942Kent MessengerObituary of Edwin John Lee (52) of Witzies, Church Road (see article)
6.3.1942Dartford ChronicleObituary of Flying Officer MJC Harwood DFC, born Hartley 1920
6.3.1942Dartford ChroniclePupils of Mrs Appleton's Fairby High School donate £12 to warship week
13.3.1942Dartford ChronicleMaintenance order for child of Church Road man.
13.3.1942Dartford ChronicleSuccess of Street Salvage Stewards and of funds raised.in warship week
20.3.1942Dartford ChronicleObituary of Mary Ann Bishop of The Piggotts, Church Rd
21.3.1942Gravesend ReporterLively Hartley meeting following sacking of clerk (see article)
17.4.1942Dartford ChronicleAlbert S Varnham of Lima, Church Rd - car not immobilized. He said he removed gear lever to immobilise car. Fined 20 shillings and costs
24.4.1942Dartford ChronicleRestrictions on Retail Deliveries in Longfield Area, butchers allowed 2 per week up to 3 miles, others only 1 per week ½ - 3 miles
1.5.1942Dartford ChronicleDartford British Restaurant has 400 customers per day
22.5.1942Dartford ChronicleNew Ration Books from WI Hall
22.5.1942Dartford ChronicleMarriage of Marjorie Sopp of Hazel Wood,Church Rd
22.5.1942Dartford ChronicleObituary of Mrs Florence A Cromar of Merton House (75) 29/5 Funeral
3.7.1942Dartford ChronicleHartley man caught shop lifting in Dartford
10.7.1942Dartford ChronicleAid For China meeting attended by 40
24.7.1942Dartford ChronicleCricket - Hartley Home Guard beaten by Regulars
7.8.1942Dartford ChronicleLt JC Stickland - MC awarded for defence of Malta
7.8.1942Sevenoaks ChronicleObituary of Mrs Mabel ML Green of Riverhead, Dau of Rev Bancks (see article)
21.8.1942Dartford ChronicleTrooper Peter Harle (22) of Dartford, POW in Italy
21.8.1942Dartford ChronicleObituary of Charles Smith (82) of Black Lion
21.8.1942Dartford ChronicleWI Festival in Hartley
21.8.1942Dartford ChronicleCadet CF Evans of Hartley ATC promoted to A/Corporal
2.10.1942Dartford ChronicleAll Saints/Congregational - Harvest gifts given of Rescue Home, Gravesend
23.10.1942Dartford ChronicleCounty Court Robert RB Wilson v SE Transport Co for £19
13.11.1942Dartford ChronicleCuts to buses - none after 9pm eves, or before lpm Sundays
20.11.1942Dartford ChronicleRememberence Service led by Brig-gen Andrus
11.12.1942Dartford ChronicleSale of work for Parish Church funds
11.12.1942Dartford ChronicleParish Council - 144 can be accomodated at rest centre
1.1.1943Dartford ChronicleSocial Club - Thrift club shared out £450
1.1.1943Dartford ChronicleObituary of Miss Marjorie Barker (59) of Heort Lea
12.2.1943Kent MessengerBalance of moneys from wound up Ash and District Sanitary Committee to go to local nursing associations
19.2.1943Kent MessengerGeese and hatching eggs for sale - Sudds, Applegarth
12.3.1943Kent MessengerWI raise £20.10.8 for Aid to Russia Fund.
12.3.1943Kent MessengerAnnual meeting of Hartley Folk Song and Dance Society, Miss Parker president, Mrs Keen secretary. Informal dances held first Saturday of month at Longfield Youth Centre Hut.
12.3.1943Kent MessengerCertificate of Hartley's participation in the adoption of HMS Gloxinia. To be displayed in School, Post Office and WI
12.3.1943Kent MessengerDonor of war memorial railings has rejected request for them to go for salvage.
19.3.1943Kent MessengerComplaints at annual parish meeting about Dartford RDC's "spread over" rating plans to replace local items with overall rate. Miss Chisholm said they should look at benefit to whole area,
26.3.1943Kent MessengerBeehives for sale or whole apiary. Elphick, Ash Road
2.4.1943Dartford ChronicleMargaret EV Morton of Bayonne, Church Rd - Court permission to marry (see article)
16.4.1943Kent MessengerPoultry house for sale. MacDonald, Phoenix. Nanny goat for sale - Selworthy.
14.5.1943Kent MessengerShed and poultry house for sale. Alexander, Cavan, Church Road. Laying batteries, 24 poultry cages, fowl house. Parkins.
14.5.1943Kent MessengerAuction notice for Le Stock Farm, 3 bedrooms, 1¾ acres land planted with fruit trees.
14.5.1943Kent MessengerPlans for parade at Farningham to celebrate 3rd anniversary of 19th battalion that includes Hartley, Longfield etc
14.5.1943Kent MessengerHartley exceed £5,000 Wings for Victory target by £365. Includes £165 from mock auction and £11 from two WI Whist Drives. Names of winners of children's drawing competition.
21.5.1943Kent MessengerMrs Dorracott prize winner at first wartime Kent County Canine Association Dog show at Maidstone,
21.5.1943Kent MessengerChild entertainers to visit Southfleet and Hartley (see article)
4.6.1943Kent MessengerFruit wanted to buy - Hemesleys (see article)
18.6.1943Dartford ChronicleGraham H Wood of hatchlands, Hartley Hill - misuse of motor fuel (see article)
25.6.1943Dartford ChronicleWilliam Lockwood of Le Stocks Farm left money to government (see article)
16.7.1943Dartford ChronicleCountry Club - 483 company of Girls Training Corps dance at Country Club
16.7.1943Kent Messenger27 acres of Pescot land in Fawkham and Hartley for sale by personal representatives of Mr H White
23.7.1943Dartford ChronicleAuction sale of Pescot land, Longfield and Hartley
23.7.1943Kent MessengerShorthorn cow and store pigs for sale - Glover, Hartley Bottom
13.8.1943Dartford ChronicleWilliam H Heale of Ash Rd - inefficent brakes
13.8.1943Dartford ChronicleCountry Club - sports fair for RAF Benevolent'- fund
20.8.1943Dartford Chronicle Edward A Kitto of Black Lion - speeding at Shorne
22.8.1943TimesDeath of Charles Bate MacFarlane of Hartley House, director of William Dunn & Co Ltd
27.8.1943Kent & Sussex CourierTo let: Hartley Manor Farm by War Agricultural Executive (see article)
3.9.1943Kent MessengerBurglary at Beulah, Stack Lane
3.9.1943Kent MessengerCase of speeding in blackout against Hubert Gladdish of Stocks Farm, dismissed (see article)
10.9.1943Dartford ChronicleErith Schoolboys of Country Club have been working on local farms
10.9.1943Dartford ChronicleFr Camise McCarthy to be RC Priest
10.9.1943Dartford ChronicleHenry J Leiong (20) - burgled Beulah, Stack Lane (see also 22.10.43))
17.9.1943Dartford ChronicleObituary of Mrs Lucy M Weston (86) of Anzac, Church Rd
8.10.1943Dartford ChronicleAlterations to Route 423
15.10.1943Kent MessengerPescot land and 2 bungalows sold to Mr J Barker for £2,000
19.11.1943Dartford ChronicleDance at Country Club for HMS Gloxinia, corvette adopted by DRDC
19.11.1943Kent MessengerAdvert for CM Ellerby Agricultural Contractor
19.11.1943Kent MessengerAlsatian pups for sale - Mrs Larkin, Jessern, Ash Road
26.11.1943Dartford ChronicleCountry Club - licence to serve light refreshments
26.11.1943Dartford ChronicleFor Sale: Freehold building plots 50'xl901 for £96
10.12.1943Dartford ChronicleComplaint about "unneccessary" works at Ash Rd and St Johns Lane. Same item in Kent Messenger. Related to water collecting at junction. (See article)
10.12.1943Dartford ChronicleLetter from Commander Gloxinia thanking parish for books & games
14.1.1944Dartford ChronicleErnest H Constable of Cranmere, Church Rd - speeding
21.1.1944Kent MessengerEgg incubator for sale - Goodwin, Westfield
21.1.1944Kent MessengerFootpath from St Johns Lane cleared; several sacks sent in following appeal for salvage
11.2.1944Dartford ChronicleNew Rector Rev JW Henderson - picture and biography
11.2.1944Dartford ChronicleConsulation on proposal to extend from 1944 to 1947 the time limit to build Hartley Pumping Station
11.2.1944Dartford ChronicleParish council to press for modern buildings for primary school, and in the meantime better sanitation
12.2.1944Gravesend ReporterSergeant John Sale of Broomfield, Ash Road, missing in Italy since 19 January (see article)
25.2.1944Kent MessengerFlying Officer G H Sudds formerly of Applegarth missing after flying operations
3.3.1944Dartford ChronicleTrooper Peter Harle moved to POW camp in Germany
10.3.1944Dartford ChronicleSalute the Soldier Week - £2,700 target aimed at by village
17.3.1944Kent MessengerChinese Art Exhibition at WI Hall raised £7 for Aid to China Fund. Long list of people who lent items and children who made model of Chinese home
17.3.1944Kent Messenger"Vast volume of SR traffic". Southern Railway has transported 10 million troops since war started, freight up 25% since 1938.
24.3.1944Dartford ChronicleDartford RDC to become protected area again from 1 April
31.3.1944Dartford ChronicleLt A C Hooper of rescue tug Stormking, story of 600 mile tow of HMS Woodpecker
31.3.1944Dartford ChronicleMrs Adeline M Cavanagh of St Peter's Stack Lane - fare evasion
21.4.1944Dartford ChronicleInduction of Rev John W Henderson
5.5.1944Dartford ChronicleSalute the Soldier Fun Fair at Hartley Country Club (also 12.5.44))
5.5.1944Kent MessengerWI Choir of 130 including women from Hartey and Ash perform at Gravesend Cooperative Hall.
12.5.1944Dartford ChronicleCriticism of state of Hartley School
12.5.1944Kent MessengerMr Gomer Davis resigns from the parish council due to ill health. Mr Passmore Bishop coopted. Council to ask Dartford RDC for post war road plans.
12.5.1944Kent MessengerSalute the soldier savings drive raises £3,619 in Hartley including £643 raised by WI Savings Group house to house sales.
19.5.1944Dartford ChronicleThomas Graham of Gra-burn, Fairby Lane - breached black out regs
26.5.1944Dartford ChronicleAll Saints - appeal for new chalice and paten (cost £27)
26.5.1944Kent MessengerFounding of Hartley Young Naturalists Club at Congregational Hall. Rev J W Henderson elected president. Mrs Gates secretary,
9.6.1944Kent MessengerVauxhall 14hp Black Saloon for sale - Hartley Manor Farm
23.6.1944Dartford ChronicleSalute the Soldier - £95 raised by Hartley
30.6.1944Dartford ChronicleHartley Manor- £75 raised in sale for Hartley knitters for Merchant Navy. Meanwhile flag day for Red Cross and St John's Ambulance raises £23 in Hartley (collectors Mrs Clark, Miss S Fuller, Miss Collins, Miss Earley, Miss Collins, C Burguire, Miss Earley
7.7.1944Dartford ChronicleDaisy M Barlow of View Point, Merton Ave - cleared Of assaulting William H Wood of Woodlands, Woodlands Ave
14.7.1944Kent MessengerRabbits for sale - Watney, Forge Farm
28.7.1944Dartford ChronicleJames R Webster of Sacheverell, Church Rd - arrears of maintenance
28.7.1944Kent MessengerServicemen's canteen opens at Ash Village Hall, Mon, Wed Thurs 6.30 - 10pm
11.8.1944Dartford ChronicleRetirement of Miss Fiddis, 30 years head of School; Miss Dorothy Barnes to be new headmistress (8.9.44)
11.8.1944Dartford ChronicleDay of Prayer: Archdeacon at All Saints
28.8.1944Kent MessengerSecondhand wedding dress for sale, no coupons required, Mrs White, Stocks Farm
8.9.1944Kent MessengerFerrets for sale - Austin, Manor Drive
14.9.1944TimesMargaret J Gates - memories of living in balloon belt (see article)
22.9.1944Kent MessengerFelsted, Church Road for sale - £1,900
6.10.1944Dartford ChronicleFlying bombs in Dartford RDC - none at Hartley apparently (see article)
13.10.1944Dartford ChronicleParish Council has received certificates for Wings for Victory and Salute the Soldier and picture of HMS Gloxinia to go in WI Hall
10.11.1944Dartford ChronicleMaintenance order for Emily MM Gillman of Acacia, Gorse Way
24.11.1944Kent Messenger15 attend Young Naturalist talk drawing fro nature by Mrs Jenman
1.12.1944Dartford ChronicleWilliam Clark - stole from his employer at Hartley House
1.12.1944Kent MessengerLongfield Young Farmers Club started, Ken Glover chairman, Vera Glover secretary
8.12.1944Dartford ChronicleWI sale of work for Red Cross (£130) and Forces Comforts (£23)
15.12.1944Dartford ChronicleHome Guard - social evening at country club to mark stand down of 19th Battalion
15.12.1944Kent MessengerBetter bus servies for Hartley area, more double decker buses if trees can be lopped.
22.12.1944Dartford ChronicleCivil Defence: farewell social for those being stood down
22.12.1944Dartford ChronicleEducation: Hartley to be in No4 NW Kent District - Gravesend area
22.12.1944Dartford ChronicleModern 3 bed bungalow - £795?.
5.1.1945Dartford ChronicleEdward Shaw of Rosary Cottage, Stack : lane - alleged desertion of wife Peggy
5.1.1945Kent MessengerBoundary Commission provisionally decides that all of Dartford Rural District should be in Chislehurst parliamentry constituency
12.1.1945Dartford ChronicleHartley to remain in Chislehurst Parliamentary Constituency
26.1.1945Dartford ChronicleRequest for sweets to be sent to Country Club for childrens treats
26.1.1945Dartford ChronicleObituary to Mrs Bignell (51) of Colyton
2.2.1945Kent MessengerChickens and incubator for sale - Morgan, Greycote, Manor Drive
9.2.1945Dartford ChronicleGarage Fire at Church Rd, building and car destroyed
9.2.1945Kent MessengerGunner C L Larkin of Jessern Ash Road mentioned in despatches for Italian campaign
16.2.1945Kent MessengerNew bus stop added in Ash Road, just after junction of St Johns Lane
23.2.1945Dartford ChronicleOddfellows: meeting of 4625 lodge at Black Lion
25.2.1945Kent Messenger35 attended Junior Naturalist Club, including 9 new members
2.3.1945Dartford ChronicleHome Guard Dinner for No 3 (Hartley) platoon at Country Club
9.3.1945Kent MessengerWI social evening includes entertainment by WI Drama Group
9.3.1945Kent MessengerHazel Chisholm of Restharrow fined 10 shillings for driving when licence had expired on 5.4.1944
16.3.1945Kent MessengerParish Council - complaints about furring of pipes and hardness of water. Overhanging tree at Homefield, Stack Lane. Housing needs discussed.
23.3.1945Kent MessengerFor sale: iron horse tractor, plough, cultivator etc, £168 - Free, Castle Hill
23.3.1945Kent MessengerPlots for sale in Gorsewood Road and Gorse Way about 100' x 200', £210 each
30.3.1945Kent MessengerThree one act plays by WI Drama Group. List of those taking part
13.4.1945Kent MessengerCorporal Alfred Gordon Stickland, 20 (pictured), killed in action (see article).
13.4.1945Kent MessengerParish Council: Mid Kent Water says water here no harder than other chalky districts, council noticeboards at Church Road and Hoselands Hill to be repainted.
27.4.1945Kent MessengerSergeant John Sale returns home after being liberated by Americans from POW camp
11.5.1945Kent Messenger"Caught napping": Hartley, near Gravesend, arranged a meeting for Wednesday night to plan its VE Day celebrations!" (in other words a day after VE Day!)
18.5.1945Kent MessengerRabbits and hatching eggs for sale - Townley, Hartley Cottage, Hartley Green
25.5.1945Kent MessengerFirst show of Hartley Rabbit Club, list of winners
8.6.1945Kent Messenger125 Children attend VE Party at Country Club
15.6.1945Kent MessengerDaschunds for sale - Brickend
9.6.1945Gravesend ReporterChildren's VE Party at Country Club (see article)
15.6.1945Kent MessengerParish Council: Gun pits on Hartley Green to be filled in asap; council complains that no extra rations were allowed for the children's party meaning others had to go short.
22.6.1945Dartford ChronicleCapt C S Bignell of Colyton awarded MBE for Civil Defence work
29.6.1945Kent MessengerDistraction burglary at the Gables, Ash Road, owner is an 80 year old deaf widow
29.6.1945Dartford ChronicleBurglary at The Gables, home of Mrs Newcomb
29.6.1945Dartford ChronicleNigel Fisher, Conservative candidate to speak at Country Club
6.7.1945Dartford ChronicleLocal buses to run an hour later
6.7.1945Dartford ChronicleSummary of war from civil defence viewpoint in Dartford RDC
6.7.1945Dartford ChronicleEngagement of John L Moncrieff, son of Mr & Mrs Crofton of Spinney Corner
13.7.1945Kent MessengerBurglary at The Gables - 3 arrested
13.7.1945Kent MessengerParish Council - they only spent £24 on VE Fete out of £61 grant from District Council
20.7.1945Kent MessengerGoat for sale - Glenholm, Ash Road
7.9.1945East Kent GazetteRoof of "Defoe's Cottage" has fallen in
2.10.1945Daily MirrorMan accused of shooting Harry Brunt of Manor Drive, in foot
3 January 1940 - Dearer Coal and Electricity
The Times?
The Times (22.9.1938) had previously announced the lighting flat rate for the rural areas was reduced from 6d to 5½d, so an increase to 7d was over 25%.

Increased prices of electricity for consumers in many parts of Kent were announced yesterday by the West Kent Electricity Company, owing to increased costs.  The revised rates will come into force in quarterly accounts after March 20, and in other accounts after January 1.  For parts of Beckenham, Bromley, Dartford, Chislehurst, Sidcup, Crayford, Erith and Orpington the lighting flat rate will be 6d a unit, and the all-in rate ½d a unit.  For undeveloped areas, inlcuding Ash, Chelsfield, Cudham, Darenth, Downe, Eynsford, Farningham, Fawkham, Hartley, Horton Kirby, Kingsdown, Knockholt, Longfield, Lullingstone, Ridley, Southfleet, Sutton at Hone and Wilmington, the lighting flat rate will be 7d a unit and the all-in rate 1d a unit.  In both cases there is to be a 20 per cent increase on power supplies.


6 January 1940 - Land Girls at Hartley
Gravesend Reporter, Dartford Chronicle, Daily Herald
This is a picture feature from Hartley Manor Farm.  

6.1.1940 - Land Girls at Hartley (Reporter)
Two land girls, Eleanor Tavener and Doreen Bachford are now working for Mr D Dallen at Hartley Manor Farm, Miss Bachford is by profession a telephonist.  

1. At work under wintry conditions in the fields
2. Early morning in the milking sheds.

31.5.1940 - Land Girls Manage Dairy Farm (Chronicle)
Feeding time on a large dairy farm at Hartley, which is managed mainly by land girls.  This picture shows a scene in the sheds at feeding time, with a cow almost stealing the picture - and the fodder.

(The same picture is in the Daily Herald of 5.1.1940)


6 January 1940 - Christmas Festivities
Kent Messenger
The Christmas Festivities at Hartley were organised by the evauated school staff with the very active cooperation of the village.  On Wednesday last week, Harry Day and Norman Haybittle won the treasure hunt.  On Thursday 70 took part in the junior party.  The senior party next day was attended by over 100 and the first item was the judging of the Scavenge Hunt which had lasteed 2 days and drew a large number of competitors.  Avril Stewart, Peter Stewart and Joy Allkins were the winners, with Joan Everett's group second.  In the evening Mrs Harold Day, Miss Gillian Worsley and the pupils of Mrs Randall helped to entertain the children.  Mr Edwin Langton, who was responsible for the organisation, thanked those who had helped to make the festival such a success, especially Mrs Fuller who supervised the catering, and Mr and Mrs Gay for their help at the Country Club.  Quite a number of the children were in fancy dress and at a parade Frank Woodall was judged the winner.


17 February 1940 - Hartley Comic
Daily Mirror

"I've brought back the stockings I had from you yesterday.  They're too fast for me."
"Too fast, what do you mean?" asked the shopkeeper.
"Well, when I walk they run," answered the customer

Sent by Miss A Constant, Fairby Grange, Hartley, Dartford, Kent


21 March 1940 - Southern Railway Company Annual General Meeting
The Times

The Annual General Meeting of the Southern Railway Company was held yesterday at Southern House, Cannon Street Station, London EC.  Mr Robert Holland-Martin CB (the Chairman of the Company) presided....

The Chairman, who was received with applause said: ........

Electrification of lines
In listening to the story I have to tell you I want you to remember that, unlike the other three main line railways, the Southern is essentially a passenger as opposed to a goods line.  In normal times we used to reckon that 75% of our traffics came from passengers and only 25% from goods.

We have no large manufacturing cities on our system, which owes its success to the far sighted way in which its general managers have always sought to improve the communications between the dormitory towns and the City and to encourage those who work in the City to spend their holidays in the health towns on the sunny outher coast or on visits to the Continent.  To that far sightedness is due not only the enormous increase of population that has taken place in South London but also the continual growth of the attractive coast towns which have been placed on the map by ease of access.

To meet that growth and to carry that increasing population we have continued to electrify our lines and to make new ones.  On January 1, 1939 we brought into use the lines from Virginia Water to Reading, Ascot and Pirbright Junction, and Frimley to Guildford via Aldershot.  By this electrificaion we were able to improve the services operated considerably, increasing by 58% the mileage worked on this section.

Our second scheme for the year, which completed the plans we had given the public, was the electrification of the lines from Gravesend Central to Maidstone West, Swanley to Gillingham, Strood Junction to Rochester Junction, and Otford Junction to Maidstone East, which were opened by the Minister of Transport on the introduction of the summer train service in last July.  By this electrification improved services were operated on two ore sections of the line - namely Charing Cross to Maidstone West, and Victoria to Maidstone East and Gillingham, with a resulting increase of 42.7% in the train mileage on these sections.

During the 5 years allocated to certain schemes of electrificatio yur railway had electrified 267 route miles - 619 track miles - and built 828 electric vehicles at a cost of £8.5m making in July last the total number of Southern electrified route miles 709 with 1,760 track miles.

Chatham and Gillingham Electrification
One bright spot was the result of the first two months' working of the Chatham and Gillingham extension, which showed an increase of 54,000 passengers and £4,000 in receipts, an increase of 8%.  In the whole electrified area the volume of traffic was 195,000,000 passenger journeys, bringing in £6.1m, an increase of 2.3%.


15 June 1940 - Where's Hartley?
Kent Messenger

Parish Council
On Thursday last week Mr Sizmur presided.  The Rural Council wrote requesting the parishes to remove all public display of parish maps. There were none such in Hartley, but the Council decided to take steps for the removal of the name of Hartley from all signs on shops, churches and other buildings, the chairman undertaking this duty.  Advice was received from the Postmaster General that under present conditions it was impossible to meet the requet for later afternoon collections.  The widening of St John's Lane was agreed to in principle by the Kent County Council, and the clerk was instructed to press the Rural Council to pursue the matter with the county authorities.  The Parish Council has always felt that the widening throughout was the only safe way and the public spirited action of Mr Hoath of Hartley Grange, in offering a 12 foot strip has greatly facilitated the project.  The "Dig for Victory" campaign was again considered.  It was felt that Hartley is doing its duty, and the clerk reported that no applications for allotments had been received.  This offer is still open for any of the fewe who have no plot to cultivate.


21 September 1940 - End of Whiffin Cottage
Kent Messenger
No doubt the paper was not allowed to say the house was destroyed by a Hurricane which had been shot down.  The neighbouring property saved was Goodwins Cottage, Church Road.  The Gravesend Reporter (Hidden Legacy of War, 21.11.1991) reported that the plane had just been dug up and taken to nearby Shoreham Museum.  The Hurricane of Pilot John Gurteen (24) crashed at full throttle, he was thrown clear but sadly died.  This was on Battle of Britain day 15 September 1940.  An eyewitness wrote to the paper (5.12.1991) "I was a milkman on my round with my boss, Harry Parrett of Hothfield Dairy, Hartley.  About midday we were at Hartley Court and heard this air battle above.  We saw this furnace coming towards us at full throttle.  It crashed about 100 yards away.  I jumped over a five bar gate and raced to see what I could do, thinking the pilot was in the inferno.  The machine guns were exploding all around and it was hopeless..."



Saved by Stirrup Pumps
A picturesque thatched cottage, the property of Mr J C Kershaw, was burnt out on Sunday morning, but the efforts of neighbours armed with stirrup pumps, the auxiliary firemen and the regular fire brigade, saved another 300 year old cottage, the home of five generations of the Goodwin family, and no one was injured.  There was an air raid.


21 September 1940 - End of Whiffin Cottage
Kent Messenger
No doubt the paper was not allowed to say the house was destroyed by a Hurricane which had been shot down.  The neighbouring property saved was Goodwins Cottage, Church Road.  The Gravesend Reporter (Hidden Legacy of War, 21.11.1991) reported that the plane had just been dug up and taken to nearby Shoreham Museum.  The Hurricane of Pilot John Gurteen (24) crashed at full throttle, he was thrown clear but sadly died.  This was on Battle of Britain day 15 September 1940.  An eyewitness wrote to the paper (5.12.1991) "I was a milkman on my round with my boss, Harry Parrett of Hothfield Dairy, Hartley.  About midday we were at Hartley Court and heard this air battle above.  We saw this furnace coming towards us at full throttle.  It crashed about 100 yards away.  I jumped over a five bar gate and raced to see what I could do, thinking the pilot was in the inferno.  The machine guns were exploding all around and it was hopeless..."



Saved by Stirrup Pumps
A picturesque thatched cottage, the property of Mr J C Kershaw, was burnt out on Sunday morning, but the efforts of neighbours armed with stirrup pumps, the auxiliary firemen and the regular fire brigade, saved another 300 year old cottage, the home of five generations of the Goodwin family, and no one was injured.  There was an air raid.


27 September 1940 - Ancient Church Damaged: Stained Glass Destroyed
Dartford Chronicle
This may be the report of the landmine which fell on Northfield, which blew out the windows of All Saints church, although the windows damaged were nowhere near 300 years old.  When the windows were restored after the war, the name of the donor was changed from Trimmer to Summer.

An ancient parish church in South East England was damaged during a recent air raid.  A bomb fell near the building, and smashed the beautiful stained glass, and did other damage to the fabric.

The Rector, who is doing ARP work, was engaged, during the raid looking after the needs of his parishioners when the church was hit.  He is grieved over the loss sustained by the smashing of the stained glass, which must have been at least 300 years old.

The Church is built of flint and stone in the early English style.


5 October 1940 - West Hill Hospital Dartford Bombed
Kent Messenger
This was probably the worst loss of life locally in the whole war.  West Hill was then the main local hospital for the Dartford area, which included Hartley.  One of the stained glass windows in the chapel survived the bombing and can now be seen in Darent Valley Hospital.

When Nazis Bombed North Kent Hospital - British Courage Rose above the Storm - High Tributes to Staff

High tributes to the conduct of the staff of a north Kent hospital which received a direct hit in an air raid - 2 women's wards being demolished - were paid at a meeting of the local guardians committee this week.

The chairman said the bombing might easily have caused panic and developed into something worse than it was and the public was indebted to the staff for the way it faced the crisis.  This revealed that the care the guardians had always taken in the appointment of the staffs was not wasted.  When the storm was at its worst the staffs gave of their best.

"There was the horror of darkness added to the awfulness of the occasion", the chairman added.  "It made the work more frightening, but the staff carried on facing every difficulty."

A lady guardian said the master of the hospital kept his head marvellously. She did not think they should diiferentiate as all did their duty and more than their duty.

Another member said "I am not surprised at what the staff did.  I am satisfied that our nature is such that we can rise to the occasion when it comes."

It was decided to express the Guardians' thanks to the staff.

A report by a hospital official who was quickly on the scene of the bombing stated: "It was a harrowing scene, and the cries of those trapped in the wreckage were pitiful, but amidst this pandaemonium I did not observe one case of panic amongst the staff, but instead they worked like Trojans, untiringly and unceasingly.

Several of the nurses were clad only in pyjamas with a coat thrown over, as they had no time to dress.  I would like to make special mention of the way in which these nurses worked with a calm and efficiency which was inspiring.  Sisters and probationers alike worked the night through.

Rescue work was rendered exceedingly difficult throughout the night as the enemy planes were still in the vicinity adn only the minimum of light could be used.  At times it was necessary to extinguish all lights when it became apparent that the enemy were close.  

The ARP workers worked magnificently and one after another the patients were freed.  When daylight came there were still about 6 patients trapped, but eventually they were all accounted for, and when then roll was taken it was found that the casualties amounted to 24 killed, including 2 staff, and 9 patients and 6 staff are injured.  Of the injured, only 2 of the patients were serious, and the staff slight.

Whilst it was not my intention to mention any individual as being outstanding in the rescue work, all the staff having worked so wonderfully well, it is only fair that I should mention the names of Dr Green, Sister Gantry and Mr C T Shaw, whose untiring efforts were worthy of recognition."


12 October 1940 - Parish Council Meeting
Kent Messenger

On Thursday last week, Mr Charles Sizmur presided.  A committee of three was appointed to confer at once with the landowner, Mr Hoath, on the widening of St John's Lane, now more urgent with the approach of the second winter under blackout conditions.  The chairman reported receipt of £24 for the Spitfire Fund from Mr Dallen, collected from members and friends of the Hartley Sports Club and some £17 collected in the village by 9 authorised collectors.  The satisfactory total of £41 had thus already been raised with more to follow from collecting boxes not yet cleared, and other promises.  The Clerk was instructed to send a letter of compliment and thanks to the local Auxiliary Fire Service for prompt and efficient work, whereby Mr Goodwin's cottage was saved from destruction or even damage, although the next cottage only a few feet away was totally destroyed during an air battle.  Appreciation was expressed of good neighbourly actions following on houses being badly shaken by blast and it was confidently felt that everyone in the parish stood ready to offer immediate shelter where needed pending the operation of official action in similar cases in future.  Happily there have been no fatal casualties in Hartley.


26 October 1940 - Hartley Resident's Experience - Fell from Second Floor to Basement
Gravesend Reporter
Bellerive is now called Applewood, Gorse Way.  It had only just been built in 1939, and Mr and Mrs Sheppard was the first tenants.

Buried in tons of debris
Mr Jim Sheppard of Bellerive, Gorse Way, Hartley, had a remarkable experience during an air raid in a Midland town.  Part of a hotel at which he was staying collapsed while he was in bed, and he fell from the second floor to the basement.  He was buried for some hours in tons of debris, and when he was rescued it was found that he was not seriously injured.  Mr Sheppard (pictured) tells his story in the following words:

"Having been 20 years on the road, the war forced me to take a clerical post and this I stuck for 12 months.  Outdoor workers among your readers will guess how I felt when I obtained another position on the road two weeks ago.  I was working the first week, around a northern district where the lucky inhabitants consider it an event if Jerry drops a bomb.  I did not see a crater there in 8 days' travelling and had very good nights in bed.

Then on the night of the 15th, in my second week, I came to a Midland town.  Jerry found this out and paid his first visit for a considerable time.  He started dropping 50lb bombs (all small stuff) and incendiaries - I think about 10pm.  It quietened down about midnight and I turned in on the top (second) floor of my hotel.  At a guess I should say about 1 o'clock it started again.

I was only half asleep when I heard one bomb drop quite close and the next second another one more than very close, for I heard masonry falling  I remember I thought to myself - gosh - that's a bit close.  It was close for the wall of the room below mine must have caught it, as the next momet my floor began to fall.  It wasn't unpleasant as the motion was like being in a lift.  For about 2 seconds all was quiet and I began to breathe and I had missed all the bricks.  Then came another fall and I was apparently thrown out of bed, my mattress miraculously threw itself around me and debris piled all over me.

There was a final fall and apparently I finished aobut 2 feet from the basement floor - very fortunately for me.  I found this out afterwards. The mattress of course, being wrapped around me obviously saved my life.  I suppose for about 1 minute I was suffocating as the pressure increased  I had my right arm fairly free and was able to grope in a downward motion.  A couple of bricks gave way.  It was then I found that I was about 2 feet from the basement ground.  I could only guess this as, of course, it was pitch dark.

As is perhaps natural, for a few seconds I did a bit of wild struggling with my body, but to no avail.  I could not move my feet as they were pinned  The air was then coming up to me very nicely and every 5 minutes I yelled out a 'hello' until I heard somebody answer me.  I should imagine that the Midland Town's ARP  boys were on the scene within 20 minutes.  I then realised that all I could do was to keep cool and wait, and of course hoep that they would get to me in time.

My sense of humour had not left me at this particular moment as I remembered I had taken out a 1 shilling (5p) thousand to one Air Raid Insurance the day before, and thought out aloud that I wished I had taken out a dollar's (25p) worth.  I then realied that it was no good as the receipt was in the debris.  About half an hour after this, I was located but there were literally tons of debris over me, and it took them over 4 hours constant work to remove it, so that they could see where I was.

One of the ARP lads, also blessed with a sense of humour, flashed his torch on me about half an hour when he realised I could take it, and every time had the same words - 'We will have you out of there in no time, there is only about a half ton on you'.  Towards the end I was able to indicate the exact position of my body, when a small gap was made above me.  I could then push my right hand through and indicate to them where my feet were pinned and so on.

As I reached hospital about 6.30 I estimate that I was an Egyptian Mummy for about 5 hours.  I cannot think of the right word - lucky is not strong enough.  All I have to show, apart from bruises of course, is a temporarily paralysed foot.  As I can walk this does not see to matter much.  I was taken to a Military Hospital, and it took me back to Christmas 1915, which was the last time I was in Hospital (after Gallipoli).  Did I have a good tiem?  I had six pretty nurses dressing me when I was informed that my wife was waiting for me in the corridor. I wonder whether I should have told the nurses I could have dressed myself.

I have lost everything I had with me in the debris, as of course I only came away with my pyjamas.  I am thinking of starting a Spitfire fund with the pyjamas; they are worth looking at.  Although I have lost everything I expect my usual luck will come to my rescue I have always been lucky.  In conclusion I must say that with my first hand experience of the Midland town's ARP service, if this is the standard all over the country , it is an amazing self-sacrificing and efficient service."


27 December 1940 - Hartley Neighbours Summon Each Other
Dartford Chronicle
Dora Stokes (1896-1972) lived at Keston, Church Road, while David Grey (1884-1968) was a near neighbour at Brumleigh, Church Road.  It is uncertain what interest he had in the land ajoining Keston, now Glencoe, Gresham Avenue.

A dispute over the ownership of some land at Church Road, Hartley, resulted in a cross-summons for assault.  The parties were Dora Alice Stokes of Keston Nursery, Church Road, Hartley, and David Thomas Robson Grey of Brumleigh, Church Road, Hartley.

Mr S Benson appeared for Mr Grey and Mr Hugh Goff for Mrs Stokes.

Mrs Stokes had a plot of land with poultry and ducks, and on December 1 when she went to feed the birds she found a piece of fence down.  She was putting it up when Mr Grey tried to stop her.  She shouted to her husband for help and, it was alleged, Mr Grey pushed her over the fence.  She tried to punch him and then kicked him.

Evidence was given for Mrs Stokes by Edward Owen Jones of Church Road, Hartley, Mrs Ellingham, and Mr Charles Sidney Stokes.

Defendant stated that Mrs Stokes tried to put the post up and he tried to prevent her.  She became very abusive.  He gave her a push and she fell down. She tried to strike him over the fence and kicked him twice.

Jack Sopp and Thomas Elliott gave evidence for Grey.

Mrs Stokes was fined 10 shillings and the cross summons was dismissed.


1941 - Short News Stories

18.1.1941 Old Downs School (Kent Messenger - summary)
Former pupil C S Moseley successful in exam for naval cadets special entry (executive and engineering).  (in 1945 he was Lieutenant on HMS LIverpool)

7.3.1941 Blackout fine (Dartford Chronicle - summary)
William George Amos of Hartley Green, fined 10 shillings for not having cycle lamp sufficiently obscured.

21.11.1941 Darnley District Girl Guides
"Hartley Girl Guide Company report a successful recruiting campaign.  Hartley Brownies have found a Tawny and she will be enrolled on November 22nd.... There is urgent need for more Guiders, especially at Longfield, where it is hoped to reopen the company for local and evacuee children as soon as Guiders can be found.

21.11.1941 Staff wanted
"Wanted - smart strong girl or woman to do butcher's country round with motor van.  No previous experience necessary; driving taught.  Write with particulars of age etc, to Sizer, Family Butchers, Hartley, Nr Longfield, Kent."

9.12.41 Funeral of Mr E Wellard
Funeral held at Meopham for Edward Wellard of Elim, New Road, aged 85.  Born in Hartley, he lived in Luddesdown for 60 years, being appointed postmaster there before 1914 to his retirement in 1937.

12.12.1941 An Iced Cake!
Longfield - "Miss I Martin was the winner of the beautifully decorated iced cake which brought in £8 14s for the Merchant Navy.  The cake was made by Miss Raine and iced by Mrs Winters."


1 February 1941 WI Fruit Preserving Scheme
Kent Messenger
Miss Chisholm of Hartley WI also explained the scheme to Eynsford WI (Kent Messenger 15.5.1942)

Nearly all the produce preserved by Hartley and Ash Preserving Depot during July, August and September has now been sold.  Nothing is left of the 16cwt 32lb of jam, nor the 1 cwt 6 lb of jely, and only a few bottles of damsons out of the 1,166 bottles remain unsold!  It is owing to the untiring efforts of the managing committee and voluntary helpers from Ash and Hartley WIs that nearly 31 cwt of local fruit which would otherwise have been wasted has been preserved for the benefit of the public.


8 - 15 February 1941 - Fire Watching
Kent Messenger, Dartford Chronicle

At a meeting on Saturday in the Congregational Hall, called by the Head Warden, Mr H T Penney, methods of dealing with incendiary raids were discussed.  Although about 70 people attended, 50 of whom had already volunteered, it was stated that the wardens' plan for watching all the 250 scattered houses in the parish  would need at least 150 volunteers if the length and frequency of shifts were not to be unduly burdensome. The matter was referred to a further meeting this Saturday, and meantime, neighbours have been organised in 13 groups, covering the whole parish, and are to try out systems of keeping watch during alerts.  Each group is provided with at least one stirrup pump, and such other fire fighting apparatus as can be collected or improvised.

14.2.1941 Dartford Chronicle
Fire Watching Scheme - a comprehensive fire watching scheme to cover the whole parish has now been put into operation.  The district has been divided into 12 sections, with the following section leaders: Mr Graham, Grafton House, Hoselands Hill; Mr Carter, 6 Ash Road; Mr Solly, Dunster, Ash Road; Mr Appleton, The Stoep, Fairby Lane; Mr Elphick, Annlea, Ash Road; Mr Kitto, The Black Lion; Mr Graham Wood, Hatchlands, Church Road; Miss Chisholm, Restharrow, Church Road; Mr Martin, Rona, Church Road; Mr Hemmings, Gloria, Manor Drive; Mr Soper, Glenholme, Woodland Avenue; and Mr Bishop, Little Stirrups, Church Road.  Any volunteer who has not heard from his section leader should get into touch with him or her at once.  More volunteers are still needed, and should apply to their nearest section leader.

15.2.1941 Kent Messenger
Arrangements are now in operation in several of the sections.  The chief warden has delegated the contro to Mr Brain.  An ample supply of sand and bags is available.


8 February 1941 - Robert William Cheesmur
Kent Messenger
Mr Cheesmur (1920-2007) held sincere religious beliefs.  He went to Nigeria as a missionary in 1955, before emigrating to Canada.  A tree is planted in his memory at Didsbury, Alberta.

Conscientious Objectors' Tribunal
Robert William Cheesmur (20), a former farm hand, of 1 Ash Road, Hartley, Longfield, sought exemption on religious grounds.  He was registered as a conscientious objector, provided he remained in his present occupation, or took up other full time work on the land, civilian ambulance or ARP work.


22 February 1941 - Women's Institute Digs for Victory
Kent Messenger

Nine members of the WI took part last Thursday in a cooperative effort to salvage the waste piece of ground at the back of the WI Hall.  The ground was double trenched in approved style, and it is hoped shortly to be able to sow root crops and salads as a small, though valuable, contribution to the agricultural campaign.  Those taking part in operations were Mrs Barrow, Miss Boorman, Mrs Cook, Mrs and Miss Chisholm, Mrs Gates, Miss Rugbys, Mrs Jones and Miss K Townley, ably supported by an interested group of onlookers.


8 March 1941 - War Weapons Week
Kent Messenger
The Kent Messenger of 15.2.1941 records the gift of the cricket bat, signed by the Australian and English men's and women's test teams.  The paper of 1.3.1941 reported on Whist Drives attended by 50 and 76 respectively.  The paper of 8.3.1941 also recorded that the total for the whole of Dartford Borough and Rural District was £469,000, while Longfield parish collected nearly £1,800.  People were not giving money to the government but lending it by buying savings certificates.

Hartley's share in Dartford and District War Weapons Week totalled £3,810 - considerably more than expected.  The greater part of the effort consisted in purchases of certificates, bonds etc in quite small amounts, and some light was thrown on the often asked question "Where did it all come from?" by a remark of a post office official that some of the banknotes passing through his hands had undoubtedly a faint, old world aroma, suggesting that they had lain some while hidden in mattresses or the proverbial stocking!  Good business was done through the voluntary selling counters at the school and the Cooperative shop, and local savings groups were active.  In addition to the Whist Drives a popular wind up to the week was a Dutch Auction with Mr D N Dallen as auctioneer, in the Country Club, while the competition for the autographed cricket bat, presented by Mr Dallen, and a gramophone, helped to swell the funds.  The Women's Institute invested £10 of its balance in Defence Bonds, and Women's Constitutional Society, who had made a similar investment previously, deposited the remainder of its funds in the Post Office Savings Bank.


22 March 1941 - Annual Parish Meeting
Kent Messenger

At the annual meeting on Saturday Mr Charles Sizmur presiding, expressed thanks to all the inhabitants for their enthusiastic work during Dartford and District War Weapons Week, which resulted in the splendid total of £3,810 being invested locally - about £4 per head of the population, and one of the best results in the Rural District.  Further money, amounting to £53, was raised by various social activities.  Two whist drives, organised by Miss Barker, realised £14 2s.  The amount contributed by the scholars and teacher of the Hartley C of E School reached the fine tota of £160 7s.  Mr Sizmur also voiced thanks for the splendid response to all calls for civil defence, and hoped that the relativey few individuals who were still not helping would be ispired by this example to join in.  Mrs Gates, on behalf of the Women's Institute, drew attention to the fact that fruit preservation had been entrusted by the Ministry of Food to the National Federation of WIs, to be organised by them on a cooperative basis, and that non-institute members were to be appointed on the Village Sub-Committees.  Mr Sizmur informed Mrs Gates that the Council were already considering the matter in which they were much interested and would shortly nominate a member to join the Institute Sub-Committee.  In reply to Mr Phillips, Mr Sizmur said that the Kent County Council had at last approved the St John's Lane widening scheme, and that a meeting with the landowner had been arranged.  It was hoped that a temporary footpath inside the hedge woud thus be provided for pedestrians until such time as it became possible to widen the road.  Mr Cuff and Capt Bignell thanked Mr Sizmur for his indefatigable efforts in organising War Savings Week.  Thanks were also expressed to Mr Fielder, Hartley's Postmaster, in appreciation of the large amount of work involved in handling the deposits.


19 April 1941 - Fifty Years of Public Service
Kent Messenger

Mr and Mrs George Day celebrate Golden Wedding
The many friends they have made throughout Kent during a long life of public service will congratulate Mr and Mrs George Day (pictured) on their golden wedding anniversary, which they celebrated on Monday at their home at North Ash.

Mr and Mrs Day were married at the Baptist Chapel, Meopham, on April 14th 1891.  Mr Day was then farming at North Ash, where he and his wife have lived ever since. Their children and grandchildren were present at a family gathering on Monday, to mark the occasion.

Mr Day was for 18 years a member of Kent County Council; for 46 years a member and 17 years chairman of Dartford Rural Council; and for 47 years a Dartford Guardian, for three being chairman of the Board.  During the last war he was chairman of the Kent War Agricultural Committee and of the Dartford Military Service Tribunal.  He is a Justice of the Peace.

Mrs Day founded the Women's Hour at Ash Chapel, was at one time secretary of the Women's Institute, and also a member of the child Welfare Committee.


26 April 1941 - Hartley Refugee Association
Kent Messenger

The annual meeting was held on Saturday, Mr C Sizmur presiding.  The Hon Treasurer Mr Gomer Davies, reported that though there had been some reduction in the subscriptions, they had come to the end of their second year with a satisfactory balance in hand.  Mr Gates, Hon Secretary, reported that the refugee for whom the association was caring was now a young man, nearly 16 years old and 6 ft high, and that he was about to sit for the General Schools Examination at Dartford Grammar School, on which they had every hope he would gain exemption from matriculation. Harry Leucht has done well in mathematics, speaks and writes excellent English and had expressed the wish to be naturalised as an Englishman when he comes of age.  The committee recommended that, after the examination, a suitable job should be found for Harry, and the meeting agreed that this was desirable.  The officers were reelected, and Messrs J L Cook, F Townley and Mrs Cuff were elected to sit on the committee.


1 August 1941 - Sale of Dairy Herd and Equipment at Hartley Manor Farm
Kent Messenger
As we shall see, Mr Dallen was not leaving the farm, just giving up stock keeping.


Hartley Manor Farm, near Longfield, Kent, 3 miles Meopham, 4½ miles Dartford
Sale  of the Valuable Herd of 32 Tuberculin Tested Dairy Cows and Heiffers  (the majority of which are Guernsey), 7 Guernsey Heifer Buds, Guernsey  Stock Bull, Dairy Shorthorn Bul, 15 months; 8 Guernsey Bull and Heifer  Calves, 9 Large and middle white sows (in and with pigs), 5 middle white  boards.

Also the superior dairy equipment,  which includes 9 galvanised and wooden corn bins, 6 domed milking pails,  bottle crates and carriers, capping and bottling machines, wash up bins  by Perkins, vertical diesel boiler with oil storage tank by Perkins,  Electrolux refrigerator, sterilising cabinet by Perkins, churn  steriliser by Perkins, milk weighing scales, ocolers and hoppers, Alfa  Laval and Diabolo separators, 5 gross glass milk bottles, 2 pig weighing  machines, Austin 7 delivery van etc

Which  Messrs E J Parker and sons will sell by auction on the premises by  instruction from D N Dallen esq (who is giving up keeping stock) on  Monday 11th August 1941, at 2pm...


1 August 1941 - C S Bignell of Hartley, Chairman of Dartford RDC
Kent Messenger
Captain Bignell was Hartley's district councillor.  He was clearly angry that Longfield's councillor Walter Wright said he shouldn't be chairman when he was holding an office of profit as a paid chairman of another committee.  This doesn't appear to be the end of the matter, for Walter Wright was also clerk to Hartley Parish Council and Captain Bignell was a parish councillor too.  That council sacked Mr Wright a couple of months later on what many people thought were trumped up charges.

New Chairman of Dartford RDC - Captain C S Bignell appointed

At the meeting of Dartford Rural Council on Tuesday, Captain C S Bignell of Hartley, was appointed chairman in succession to the late Mr F W Ladds, and Mr G W Smith was appointed vice-chairman.

The Rev Stanley Morgan, in agreeing with the appointment of Captain Bignell, said he would do so on condition that Captain Bignell gave up the chairmanship of two committees, the Emergency Committee and the Town Planning Committee, as he did not think it was usual for the chairman of a council to hold the chairmanship of committees as well.

Mr Walter Wright said he agreed with the Rev Morgan's remarks, particularly as Captain Bignell, as chairman of the Emergency Committee, was holding a position of profit.

Captain Bignell strongly resented the suggestion and said he had not drawn the £50 voted to him, which wa in respect of expenses.  He had only drawn out of pocket expenses in connection with the work and was really out of pocket over the business.


19 & 27 September 1941 - Hartley Home Guard Disbanded
Daily Mirror

Sacked HG will arm with sticks (19.9.1941)
Men in civvies carrying cudgels and broomsticks may replace the armed battle dressed Home Guards who nightly patrol the lanes about the village of Hartley (Kent).  That is, if an order to disband the platoon which takes effect tomorrow is not withdrawn.

The order is the outcome of a petition from the 41 NCOs and men against the commissioning and appointment as second-in-command of a farmer, Deryck Dallen, 29.

The petition was sent to the Battalion CO Colonel Moseley.  A platoon meeting was called and the other ranks were asked to carry on.  But they were not satisfield.  They still did their night patrols, but refused to attend Sunday parades, at which the new officer would be present.  

A meeting of the platoon is to be called next week to discuss future plans.  In the meantime.....  "The matter is being decided by superior authorities." Brigadier General T A Andrus Home Guard Major, Company Commander who signed the disbandment order said yesterday.

Village to fight the WO (27.9.1941)
Hartley, Kentish village of 568 people, has declared war on the War Office.

They refuse to accept a Whitehall decision that their Home Guard platoon be disbanded, and three  of the villagers have been appointed to tell the war lords that they can't do this to Hartley.

The trouble started when the forty men who comprise the village platoon decided that they disapproved the appointment of local farmer Deryck Dallen as their commanding officer, choice of the village socialites.

They agreed among themselves to carry on with their nightly patrols, but refused to attend parades and asked for Mr Dallen's resignation.

The War Office backed Mr Dallen, and told him to stay put.  As the villagers remained stubbon, the platoon was disbanded.

That was on Thursday.  Last night, the villagers crowded the Parish Hall, and raised their protest against Whitehall dictatorship.  Mr Gray, the chairman, said: "We are in a neighbourhood where we may bete a lot of parachutists and we can't depend on neighbouring platoons."

"If it is a matter of going to to War Office and stirring up trouble, we must press this home", said a villager.

Timid souls who suggested that the War Office woudl not rescind a decision were scorned.  Hartley refused to ask, as a compromise, for the reforming of the platoon.  Hartley wants its own platoon restored.


28 November 1941 - Sale of stock at Hartley Manor Farm

"Hartley Manor Farm, Hartley near Longfield, Kent - Important sale of live and dead farming stock.  Including match pair of roan cart geldings (8 years old), bay cob, bay hunter, 3 cows (one with calf at foal), 2 Guernsey heifer calves (6 months).

Two single horse wagons, dung cart on pneumatics, cob size farm cart, plain and Cambridge rolls, 3 furrow Cockshutt plough, 3 iron ploughs, harrows, iron water barrel, 2 mowing machines, 2 horse rakes, swathe turner, 8 ft iron dredge, 3 corn drills, sedd borrows, hay elevator, hay sweep, self binder, iron brakes, manure distributor, tractor cultivator, trailer, corn mill, iron saw bench, 5 hp Lister engine, platform scals, protable forge, 2 stack cloths, chaff cutter, 11 iron tanks and water troughs, paraffin tnks, 5 large iron corn bins, quoiler, chain and plough harness, Fordson Tractor on pneumatics, 8 poultry houses up to 20ft x 12 ft, portable sheds, 60b ft erectio of timber and iron piggeries, 4 pig huts, 30 iron hurdles, sheep netting, barbed wire, corrugated iron glavanised feeding barrow, 70 sleepers, pig troughs, 400ft run light railway, turntable, tip wagon and flat top trolley, quantity bricks, small tools and effects whch Messrs E J Parker and Sons are favoured with instructions from Mr D N Dallen to sell by auction on Monday 15th December 1941, commencing at 11 o'clock precisely."


1942 - Short News Articles

13.3.1942 Warship Week
A total of £2,291 was raised via savings, £2,000 of which was paid into the Post Office Savings Bank,  Mr Fielder, the sub-postmaster said Jan 1941 - Feb 1942 a totla of £14,000 in savings has been paid in, which included 4,301 Savings Certificates.

20.3.1942 For War Prisoners
Dance at Hartley Country Club for Longfield and Southfleet branch of British Legion attended by 150.  Mr Potter (chairman) said 6 men in their district were POWs and the legion sent them half a pound of tobacco and 120 cigarettes a month.

17.4.1942 Failed to immobilise car (Dartford Chronicle)
Albert  Stanley Varnham of Lima, Church Road, Hartley pleaded not guilty to a  summons for leaving his car unattended without immobilising it.  Mr Hugh  Goff appeared for the defence.  Varnham stated that he had removed the  gear lever, which was the most effective way he knew of putting a  vehicle out of action.  Defendant was fined 20 shillings and costs.

24.4.1942 Restrictions on Retail Deliveries (Dartford Chronicle - summary)
In Longfield area, butchers are allowed only 2 rounds per week of up to 3 miles, others only 1 per week between ½ and 3 miles.

1.5.1942 Dartford British Restaurant has 400 customers per day (Dartford Chronicle - summary)


3 January 1942 - Parish Council and the Clerk
Gravesend Reporter
The Hartley Parish council on Tuesday night decided to give the Clerk (Mr W Wright) notice that his services would be dispensed with .  The following recommendation was approved: "That the findings of the council in committee regarding the clerk be accepted and Mr Watler Wright be given notice that his services will not be required after March 31st, 1942".  The clerk asked for the reason, and the chairman replied "loss of confidence".  Mr Bignell objected to that and the chairman withdrew the remark.
Mr C Sizmur presided, and other members present were Miss E E Barker, Mrs M J Gates, Messrs W B Gable, W H Chisholm, C S Bignell and the Clerk (Mr W Wright).  A few ratepayers were also present.
For the forthcoming warship week it was decided to follow similar methods as in the Spitfire Week and the clerk was instructed to invite all the War Savings Committees, Clubs and other Institutions in the parish to appoint representatives to attenda meeting to be held at the Institute Hall on January 14th at 7.30pm.  Mr Fielder, local postmaster and Mr D N Dallen will also be invited.
An invitation from the rural District Council to submit nominations for the vacancy on the Kent County Council was received, adn names (if any) will be sent to the clerk in the course of a few days.  Mr C S Bignell and Mr H Penney were both approached but refused to stand.
The question of filling the vacancy on teh Hartley Parish Council was left over until the next meeting on February 5th.  A letter from Mr Meddick referred to the Chairman's remarks at the last council meetig regarding powers of parish councillors to resign, stated "If the council adopted the viewpoint that they cannot resign during the war it followed taht his resignation was wrong and the council were wrong in accepting it, and he proposed to resume his seat at the next meeting of the council."  Members of the council contended that Mr Meddick had misunderstood them; he had tendered his resignation and it was accepted.
The parish council boards are considered too high, and orders were give to have them lowered adn the name of the parish erased.


31 January 1942 - Obituary of William Braybrook
Gravesend Reporter
A significant figure in the history of Hartley.  The article infers that most of the "smallowners" houses built 1912-20 in Hartley would have been by Mr Braybrook's firm.

Old residents of Hartley will learn with regret the death of Mr William Robert Braybrook of Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, Middlesex.  He passed away at the age of 84.  Mr Braybrook, for many years the principal builder in the parish of Hartley and district, had much to do with the early development of Hartley from purely agricultural to residential status. He retired from business and left the parish about 20 years ago but did not dispose of all his property, which had since and up to September last occasionally visited.  He leaves a widow, son and daughter, to whom great sympathy has been extended.  The son is in the forces and was sent abroad a short time before his father's death.  The cremation took place at Golders Green on Tuesday of last week.


28 February 1942 - Obituary of Edwin John Lee
Gravesend Reporter

The death took place on Friday at the County Hospital, Dartford, of Mr Edwin John Lee of Witzies, Church Road, Hartley.  He was 52 years of age.  Mr Lee has resided in the district about 20 years, and carried on a greengrocer and fruiterer's buisness up to the beginning of the war, when he ntered into munition work.  He leaves a widow, 3 sons and 2 daughters, to whom deep sympathy has been extended.  The funeral took place at Ash Parish Church on Tuesday, the Rev Simmonds officiating....(list of mourners and givers of flowers).


28 February 1942 - Mr and Mrs Humphrey Diamond Wedding
Gravesend Reporter
There is a small amount missing from the photocopy.
Mr and Mrs Charles Humphrey (pictured) of Yew Tree Cottage, Hartley, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday surrounded by their family of 3 sons, 4 daughters, together with some of their life? partners and children.  Mr Humprhrey was born at Wadhurst, Sussex, 80 years ago, and Mrs Humphrey was born in the same district a year later.  They were married at Wadhurst.  They have resided in Kent about 50 years, [most?] of which have been spent at Hartley.  Mr Humphrey retired from his work as stockman about 10 years ago.  The happy [...] couple, parents of the highly esteemed Postmaster of Longfield, still enjoy good health and the good wishes of a large circle of friends.


21 March 1942 - Lively Hartley Meeting
Gravesend Reporter
The meeting dwelt mainly on the dismissal of the clerk, Walter Wright for reasons the parish council would not state.  The Rector Rev Lenton was unhappy his name had been used as he fully supported the clerk.  This matter seems to go back to when Mr Wright as district councillor for Longfield, opposed the appointment of Mr Bignell (Hartley parish and district councillor) as chairman of Dartford RDC.


The Annual Parish Meeting at Hartley on Thursday evening of last week was to say the least of a lively character.  There is a difference of opinion between the parish council and certain parishioners who represent the local ratepayers' association, the chief points in dispute being the election of Parish councillors and the position of the clerk (Mr Walter Wright) who is under notice to vacate that office at the end of this month.  Many speeches were made and personalities indulged in.

There was an attendance of about 50 at the Institute Hall and Mr C Sizmur (chairman of the parish council) was in the chair.

The clerk (Mr Walter Wright) submitted his financial statement, showing a balance in hand December 31st 1941 of £98 4s 10d, the expenditure of the year being £34 15s 5d.  The Clerk added "I have not this year produced my usual resume of the work fo the council during the past year, because it would necessitate the mention of much ersonal matter that will later be heard in the High Court of Justice....  I have served the parish for 6 years, the first 5 of which were in perfect harmony with the parish council and without a single complaint  I thank you, and say goodbye with confidence that honesty and turth will prevail.  Reason for my dismissal has been refused.

Mr G T Mayley produced his report on a recent conference at Dartford with the Public Health Committee of Dartford District Council concerning the new arrangements for the emptying of cesspools in certain parishes of the rural district including Hartley.  The conference was held at the request of a recent parish meeting.  Mr Mayley disagreed with the District Council's report that appeared in the press, stating that "the deputation left the conference perfectly satisfied," they in fact, he said, obtained no satisfaction.

Mr D T R Gray, one of the deputation, supported Mr Mayley and stated that there were 331 dwellings in the parish and only 14 cesspools were emptied last year.  It was not fair under the circumstances to put the charges on the rates.

Mr C S Bignell: "The rates have not gone up but down a shilling."

Mr Gray: "That is due to the county rate dropping by 10½d".

Mr Bignell remarked that Mr Mayley had said at the conference that the cesspool emptying would cost a rate of 1s 4d adn added that he got that figure from a councillor not present.

Mr Mayley: "I said no such thing either about the figure or the councillor."

Mr Gray asked if they would not withdraw the charges against the clerk.

The Chairman: "The council will stick to their decision."

The Rev L G W Lenton (rector) wished to know how his name was connected with the matter.

The Chairman: "The minutes are signed and we stand by them."

Mr Gay disputed the payment of £12 in grubbin groots in the proposed new burial ground and stated it was a capital charge that the council had no power to incur.  He also asked that in the event of legal proceedings the counci should first call a parish meeting on the matter.

Mr Gomer Davies, Mr B Passmore Bishop and Mr F H Soper were nominated for the council's selection of a new member to fill the vacancy on the council.

The Secretary of the Hartley Ratepayers Association (Mr Mayley) submitted the following questions, notice of which had been given - Whether the council received from the clerk to Kent County Council a copy of this association's letter of November 20th with request for the council's observations?  Whether this matter has been discussed at a meeting of the council in open session, and what were the observations sent? If not so discussed what explanation can be given for dealing with public business otherwise than in open session.  The chairman referred the matter to the Clerk.  The Clerk: "To whom was the letter addressed?" "Mr Mayley: "To the chairman of the Parish Council".  The Clerk: "It has not passed through my hands, or been discussed in my presence."

Mr F E Todd moved a vote of thanks to the retiring clerk and expressed deep regret at the loss of such a valuable official.  The Rev L G W Lenton in seconding, said the clerk had done his duty faithfully and well, and he hoped the time was very near when he would be reinstated.  Mr H H Meddick endorsed the rector's remarks and the vote of thanks was unanimously passed.


10.4.1942 - A busy first year, Hartley Ratepayers' Association
Kent Messenger
The Ratepayers had an impressive membership.  While it is not clear what numbers the other side could muster, they had an unassailable advantage because they could not be ousted because parish council elections had been suspended for the duration.

In its first year Hartley Ratepayers' Association has played a large part in local affairs, and has been a vigorous supporter of those things which it considers are good of the parish.

This was evident from the report presented at the annual meeting in Women's Institute Hall last week

The Association has a membership of 148 and is in a sound financial position.

The report stated that the Associatio opposed the dismissal of Mr Walter Wright, clerk to the Parish Council, and had requeted the council to resign as it did not retain the confidence of the electorate.

Regret was expressed that the council showed no sign of cooperating with the Association.

The Association was actively interested in the situation arising from the disbandment of the Home Guard and had also taken up the matter of securing larger supplies of paraffin for the village.

Representations were made to the Home Office, and also the local MP upon the denial to the electorate of exercising its right to elect persons to vacancies on Parish Council.

Representations were also made to the Rural Council to improve the dust and salvage collections int he parish and improve the distribution of 'points' coupons.

As a result of action by the Association there had been an improvement in the lighting of trains.

Thanks were accorded Mr C D Mayley for his valuable work as secretary and treasurer.

The new management committee consists of Mr D T R Gray (chairman), Mr Mayley (secretary and treasurer), the Rev L G W Lenton and Messrs Bishop, Brain, Crouch, Penney and Todd.


7 August 1942 - Obituary of Mabel Green (nee Bancks)
Sevenoaks Chronicle
Mabel Green was the daughter of Rev Bancks and one of the founders of the Hartley Players.

After a very long illness the death occurred on Thursday of Mrs Mabel Marianne Louise Green, wife of Mr Eric S Green of PIne Tree Cottage, Chipstead Lane.  Mrs Green was 41 years of age, was a daughter of the Rev G W Bancks of Hartley, near Dartford.  She and her husband resided for some 3 years at Otford before moving to Chipstead about 2 years ago.  During the time she lived at Hartley, Mrs Green took a keen and active interest in amateur dramatics, and it was largely due to her that the Hartley Players, a highly efficient society, came into being.  Mrs Green was also a great lover of nature.  In addition to her husband she leaves a son.  Following cremation, the funeral, which was of a private character, took place at Charing on Saturday.


1943 - Short News Items

2.4.1943 - Permission to Marry (Dartford Chronicle)
Margaret Elizabeth Victoria Morton, Bayonne, Church Road, Hartley [Marsworth, Church Road],  who appeared in WAAF uniform, also asked permission to marry.  Her  father said he would rather they waited unitl they were older and had  more means.  Permission granted.

21.5.1943 - Child Entertainers to visit Southfleet and Hartley (Kent Messenger)
Miss  Gwendolyn Randall, formerly of Hartley, whose troupe of child  entertainers has raised large sums for war charities, is to visit  Southfleet and Hartley to give two shows for the Southfleet and  Longfield British Legion Prisoners of War Fund.  By means of this fund  comforts are sent to local men in enemy prison camps.  Miss Randall now  has a dancing academy at Wolverton, Bucks.  The performances will be at  Southfield School this Saturday afternoon, and at Hartley Country Club  the same evening.

21.5.1943 - County Association's first wartime show (Kent Messenger - summary)
Kent  County Canine Association Show at Maidstone.  Local Winners: Miss K M  Raine, Longfield (Puppy 3rd; Daschunds 2nd & 3rd); Mrs Dorracott,  Hartley (Bull Terrier 1st; Big breeds 2nd; Terriers (not fox) 1st;  Sporting 1st; novice any variety 1st; maiden any variety 1st; beginners  any variety 1st)

6.4.1943 - Hemesleys (Kent Messenger)
Fruit,  vegetables, flowers, nuts etc etc purchased for cash, any quantities;  empties supplied; transport arranged - Hemesley, Woodland, Hartley,  Longfield, Kent Tel Longfield 2174 or Hemesley, Covent Garden.  Tel  Temple Bar 9372.

18.6.1943 - Misuse of motor fuel (Dartford Chronicle)
Graham Henry Wood [1889-1962] of Hatchlands, Hartley Hill, Hartley [Blue Firs, Church Road]  pleaded guilty to using motor fuel for another purpose than that  stipulated on his application form.  He was fined 40 shillings and  ordered to pay 14 shillings costs.

25.6.1943 - Local Will (Dartford Chronicle)
Mr  William Lockwood of Le Stocks Farm, Hartley, who died on December 16,  left £2,458 16s 11d gross, witn net personality £1,656 1s 3d.  Subject  to an annuity of £78 to his sister Clare Lockwood, he left the residue  to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to further the national war effort.

16.7.1943 - 483 Company of Girls' Training Corps held dance at Country Club (Dartford Chronicle - summary)
The GTC was started in 1942 for girls aged 14-20 with the idea of preparing  them to support the war effort.  Can't find what area 483 company  covered.

22.7.1943 - Hartley Bottom Farm advert (Kent Messenger)
Freshly calved Shorthorn Cow for sale; also Store Pigs.  Glover Hartley Bottom, Longfield.

13.8.1943 - Sports Fair (Dartford Chronicle)
On  August bank holiday a sports fair in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund wa  held at the Hartley Country Club sports ground  A considerable sum was  raised by various competitions and a collection taken on a captured  swastika flag realised £13.  Horse rides aranged by Mrs Hatten and  helpers raised £11.  The sports prizes were presented by Lieut-Col O  Moseley, Officer Commanding 19th battalion Kent Home Guard, and Squadron  Leader Johnson, RAF.

20.8.1943 - Lorry Driver Fined (Dartford Chronicle)
At Chatham on Monday, Edward Arthur Kitto [1904-1994], lorry driver, Black Lion Inn, Hartley, was fined 40 shillilngs for exceeding 30mph with a goods vehicle at Shorne.

27.8.1943 - Kent War Agricultural Committee: Lands to be let (Kent Messenger)
The  committee invites tenders for the letting, in its present condition of  Hartley Manor Farm, Hartley.  The farm contains 129 acres and includes a  bungalow and good farm buildings, providing accommodation for 50 cows.   Additional land in the committee's occupation in the vicinity could be  included in the tenancy if required.  The tenancy will date fro 29th  September 1943, and will be for 3 years to Michaelmas 1946, and  thereafter from year to year.

3.9.1943 - Case dismissed (Kent Messenger)
Hubert  William Gladdish, Le Stock Farm, Hartley, was summoned at Maidstone on  Tuesday for driving a car at excessive speed during the black out.  His  speed in London Road, Maidstone was stated to have varied between 30 and  35 mph.  Defendant said the most he could get out of his car was 20  mph.  The case was dismissed.

10.9.1943 - Kent War Agricultural Committee: Lands to be let (Kent Messenger)
The  committee invites offers for the tenancies of the lands mentioned in  the schedule hereto.  Tenancies will date from the 29th September next,  will in most cases be for 3 years to Michaelmas 1946, and thereafter  from year to year....
Fawkham Park Estate and Part Fawkham  Manor (76 acres); Part Southdown Ash (8a); land at Idleigh, Ash (77a);  Hoselands Hill, Hartley (87a); Part New Barn, Longfield (28a); Part  Pescot Farm, Longfield (21a); land at Pescot Avenue, Longfield (1a);  Rectory Meadow, Longfield (3a); land opposite the school, Longfield  (9a).

19.11.1943 - C M Ellerby advert (Kent Messenger)
All  classes of Agricultural Contracting, including - row crop cultivation,  draining, pipe laying, ploughing, pressing and drilling combined, land  clearing & levelling, rise ploughing, subsoiling, mowing, binding,  transport.  Longfield 3195.

10.12.1943 - Hartley Grievance (Kent Messenger)
Another suggestion here that the sacking of Mr Wright by Hartley Parish Council may have been motivated by personalities.
A  long standing complaint by Hartley parishioners, of water collecting at  the junction of Ash Road and St John's Lane, had been dealt with, under  instructions by the local Defence Emergency Committee.  Mr W Wright,  chairman of the Highways Committee, took strong objection to the matter  being dealt with by the Emergency Committee, and said he had neither  been consulted or informed.  The Chairman (Capt Bignell) said the matter  had received the attention of the Emergency Committee because the use  of a well, which was now an emergency water supply, was involved.  It  was also stated that a letter from Hartley Parish Council on the matter  had been previously considered by the Highways Committee.


27 August 1943 - Hartley Manor Farm to let
Kent and Sussex Courier / Sevenoaks Chronicle

Kent Agricultural Executive Committee - Letting
The Committee invites tenders for the letting, in its present condition, of Hartley Manor Farm, Hartley.

The farm contains 129 acres and includes a bungalow and good farm buildings, providing accommodation for 50 cows.  Additional land in the committee's occupation in the vicinity could be included in the tenancy if required.

The tenancy will date from 29th September 1943, and will be for 3 years to Michaelmas 1946, and thereafter from year to year.

Ingoing tenant right valuation, settled in the customary manner will be payable.

Further particulars may be obtained from the Executive Officer, by whom tenders should be received not later than the 10th September 1943.


1944 - Short News Items

31.3.1944 An out of date ticket (Dartford Chronicle)
At Bromley Police Court on Friday, Mrs Adeline May Cavanagh of St Peters, Stack Lane, Hartley wa summoned for travelling on the Southern Railway without paying her fare.  It was statd that she produced an out of date ticket at Bromley South station and when challenged admitted that she had used the same ticket before.  She was fined 20 shillings.


12 February 1944 - Soldier Missing
Gravesend Reporter
Happily for Sgt John Sale's friends and family, it was reported on 30 March 1944 that he was alive, as a Prisoner of War of the Germans.  He was held at Stalag 344 Lemsdorf, Poland.

An account of how he came to be captured in Italy can be found on the Irish Brigade website.

Hartley Family's Fine Record - Six in the Services - Son Reported Missing
Mr and Mrs John Sale, of Broomfield, Ash Road, Hartley, who have every reason to be proud of the war record of their famiy, have received news that their second son, Sergeant John Sale (pictured), has been reported missing in Italy since January 19th.

Sgt Sale is 29 years of age and his army career extended over a period of 11 years.  He is a fine specimen of a British soldier.  For 6 years he served with the Royal Fusiliers in India, and on the outbreak of hostilities he came to the Middle East with the 5th Indian Brigade.  He took part in 3 campaigns, was mentioned in despatches for gallantry, and was able to return home for a well deserved leave in December 1942. After 6 months in England, he again returned to the Middle East, and with the Irish rifles he saw a considerable amount of fighting in Sicily and Italy.  Sgt Sale has a large number of friends, particularly among the members of the Hartley Country Club.

Other members of the family are doing their bit for their country.  The eldest son, Pte William Sale of the Royal West Kents, has had nearly 13 years' service in the army.  He was wounded during the fighting in France.

LAC Charles Sale, the youngest son, is at present n Italy with the RAF and has been in the Middle East campaign for 3 years.  He met his brother John on a number of occasions.

LACW Daisy Sale has been in the WAAF for 3 years and her brother in law Corporal H Moore of the REs, served with the Army in France in the early days of the war.

It should also be mentioned that Mr John Sale, a well known resident of Hartley, and a retired Sergeant of the Metropolitan Police has been a member of the Home Guard practicallly since it was formed, and is CQMS of "A" Company of the 19th (Farningham) battalion.


31 March 1944 - 600 Mile Tow - Then Lost
Dartford Chronicle
The Kent Messenger of 24.3.1944 has a shorter version, it added that Lt Hooper lived at St Just, Stack Lane, went to King's School Rochester, was apprenticed to P&O and was with Messrs W J Everard's, coastal shipowners of Greenhithe when war broke out.

Sub-Lieutenant A C Hooper, RNR of Hartley, of the rescue tug Stormking, has recently been concerned in a gallant but unsuccessful attempt at rescuing a crippled sloop - HMS Woodpecker, afer she had been torpedoed.  The Stormking towed Woodpecker for 600 miles; then in stress of heavy weather and while within 40 miles of land Woodpecker capsised and Stormking was obliged to slip the tow.  "Twice during the tow", said Sub-Lieutenant Hooper, "part of Woodpecker's complement was taken off and put aboard other ships of the escort group, but a skeleton crew was maintained on board unitl it became necessary to transfer them for their own safety. Then we had a signal to expect a north-easterly gale. Commander Pryse decided that Woodpecker could not live through a gale and ordered "Abandon Ship".  You would imagine th bitter regret of the captain having to take such a step when almost within sight of land. But the wisdom of his decision was proved in the following morning, when Woodpecker capsised and we slipped the tow rope."  Sub-Lieutenant Hooper, who was in the merchant service during the early part of the war, was a regular voyager in coasters through 'e-boat alley'.


20 April 1944 - A Vision of the Future
The Times
Not really about Hartley, but one MP (Leonard Plugge) in a debate on scientific research appears to foresee colour and 3D television as well as the Internet. He also suggested that people would be able to conduct business while sunning themselves on the beach, as of course is possible now.  He was not taken seriously by his colleagues. Full text of the speech is in Hansard.

Captain Plugge (Chatham, Conservative) said that science was going to penetrate deeper and deeper into our lives.  There would one day be television in every home, and it would be in colour and of three dimensions.  The newspaper of tomorrow, using tons of paper, was obsolete.  Thought could be transported through the air.  In future one would be able to switch a button on the radar at the bedside according to whether one read the Daily Mail or the Daily Express or the Times, or even the Daily Herald, and in the morning one would be able to tear the newspaper off the machine, with up-to-the-minute news and features and photographs.

Mr Boyce (Gloucester, Conservative) What about the Parliamentary report? (laughter)

Captain Plugge said that there would be a new method of travelling.  It would be possible to detach the mind from the body, to leave the body at the seaside, and transact business by thought through the aether.  (Loud laughter)

Colonel Greenwell (The Hartlepools, Conservative) Is there any chance of the soul getting back into the wrong body? (Renewed laughter).


12 May 1944 - Indoor Fun Fair
Dartford Chroncicle
This article explains that the money 'raised' at many of these wartime events was money lent to the government by savings.  By encouraging saving the government also managed to depress demand for other goods that were in short supply.

Mr W R Dingle opened Hartley's Salute the Soldier Week on Saturday at the Country Club, where there was an indoor fun fair.  He explained the object of the Week ans stressed taht money invested was lent and could be withdrawn at any time.  The Liaison Officer Mr C L Edwards, took charge of a hoopla stall.  Another attraction was a game, entitled 'Bombing Germany', in the charge of Mrs Phillips, and Mr Godfrey Davies had charge of effegies of notorious persons, which came in for some severe punishment.  There were many other helpers.


14 September 1944 - The Balloon Belt
The Times

Sir,
As one of those residing in the heart of the balloon belt, I write to express my appreciation of Mr Michael de la Bedovere's letter in the Times of September 11.  The pearly radiance of this flying armad caught in the rys of he rising sun is a sight we residents will not easily forget; nor will our ears quickly lose the twany of the vibrating cables and above all the ominous silence preceding the explosion after an approaching bomb had made contact with one of the balloon cables, and the instant speculation as to whether our dwelling lay in the path of the falling missile.

I would, however, particularly like to pay a tribut to the men of the RAF, who have manned the balloon sites during the past 2 and a half months.  Theirs has been one of the unspectacular, tiring, often boring, jobs of this war, and sinc eno individual could claim credit for bringing down a flying bomb, however big a bag their own balloon might claim, they hav been unheralded by the press and wireless.  Many of the sites were in lonely, water-logged fields, miles from anywhere; sometimes drinking water supplied only every other day, and wind, weather, and blackout alike, were endured cheerfully in their cheerless regulation tents.  When the full story of London's ordeal by flying bombs comes to be written, I hope that the part played by the men of the balloon sites will not be forgotten.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully
Margaret J Gates
Wild Garth, Hartley near Dartford, Kent
Sept 11


6 October 1944 - The Flying Bombs: More Facts and Figures
Dartford Chronicle
It appears from this article that not one V1 Doodlebug landed on Hartley during the first 3 months of the bombing campaign as every other parish in the district recorded bombs falling.  By Aug 30th the numbers reaching Britain had dramatically declined.

73 Fell in Dartford Rural Area, but not one casualty - Fawkham Village Badly Damaged, Swanley Junction the worst hit.
Seventy three flying bombs fell in the Dartford Rural District between June 16 and August 30, but not one caused a fatal casualty.

Many of the missiles fell in open country, but sometimes villages suffered damage, notably Fawkham, where a flying bomb exploded in the centre of the village green.  Near Horton Kirby five crashed within 100 yards of each other.  In the middle f them was  row of wooden cottages, which survived the onslaught and only sustained light damage.  More damage was caused at Swanley Junction than anywhere else in the rural area.  One crashed on a Sunday morning 50 yards from the Central Schools.  Nearly 270 houses were blasted.

Time and time again shelters provided by the government proved their worth.  People walking out unharmed from Anderson shelters within a few feet of a crater.

The greatest difficulty experienced in the rural area was the removal and storage of funiture belonging to people whose houses were made uninhabitable.  Contingents of the RAF and NFS augmented the Civil Defence in this work.

In the early days sector post wardens gave valuable information to higher authority of the direction, height and frequency of the flying bombs.  After a time it was estalished tht the Germans, always methodical, were sending them off to a time table.

The following is an account of the flying bombs in each parish in the rural district.

Ash and Ridley - only 2 flying bombs caused casualties here.  The first was the more serious and crashed in Ridley.  It caused considerable damage to property and one serious and 4 slight injuries  One person was slightly hurt whe the other fell in Ash.  Others exploded harmlessly in open country.

Bean - one of the earliest crashed in Bean and injured 2 people, but after that residents had a quieter time.

Darenth - Of 4 bombs, 2 caused casualties  The last flying bomb to fall in Dartford rural area exploded 50 yards in front of the main building at Darenth Colony.  Some damage to property occurred and 7 slight casualties were reported bu the inmates all escaped injury.

Eynsford - although several flying bombs fell in the parish, the village escaped with negligible damage.  With Bean, Eynsford had the first in Dartford Rural District.  This cause one slight casualty and damaged 4 buildings superficially.  Later another injured one person and others came down in open country.

Farningham - 11 people were slightly hurt and houses were badly damaged in Olver Crescent when a flying bomb fell during the hours of darkness  2 bombs fell in almost the identical spot within exactly a week of each other just outside the village on the road to Dartford.  Houses along the roads were blasted by the second, and there were slight casualties.  Over the period 17 people were injured.

Fawkham - Fawkham village suffered badly when a flying bomb exploded on the village green.  One person was seriously hurt, 3 others slightly; 3 buildings were completely destroyed, a further 3 were almost destroyed, 6 were made uninhabitable and 30 were damaged to a lesser extent.  Prior to this, one had fallen in the vicinity and caused 3 slight injuries and superficial damage to 40 houses.  Others crashed in open country, one causing a slight casualty.

Horton Kirby - a row of wooden cottages were subjected to heavy bombardment, five flying bombs landing all around them, but despite their comparatively flimsy construction, they stood up to it well and windows and tiles constituted their only damage.  There were no casualties.

Kingsdown - the countryside around Kingsdown was peppered with the craters of flying bombs.  The worst incident happened at night near Hollywood House in a copse.  Blast blew some nearby wooden huts to matchwood and seven occupants were injured.  Several fell on the Hever Estate in open country.

Longfield - Longfield had only one flying bomb within the parish boundaries and this caused neither casualties nor any serious damage.

Lullingstone - Lullingstone had numerous flying bombs in the grounds.  The castle suffered some damage, as did the church and a cottage, and on another occasion one fell at the entrance to the grounds.

South Darenth - A flying bomb fell behind houses in Station Road, injuring two people slightly, almost destroying a bungalow and damaging other houses.  When cottagers came out of their shelters some time after the incident they were surprised to see the crater and the damage.  Although within a matter of feet from the crater, they had not heard anything.

Southfleet - Two flying bombs landed near each other on different occasions and damaged cottages near the railway station.  Others fell without doing damage and there were a total of two casualties.

Stone - There were 6 casualties in all at Stone.  One or two of the bombs fell on the marshes or in the river, another in quarry.

Swanley - The parish of Sutton at Hone includes Swanley, where the worst damage occurred.  On a Sunday morning a flying bomb landed 50 yards from the Central Schools, near a housing estate.  Casualties numbered three and 270 houses were damaged, 12 seriously.  Wardens in a nearby post saw it coming and jumped into their shelters. When they came out they found their post had been blown to pieces.  Their greatest regret was that they had lost their telephone, which had been recently installed after 4 years without one.  Another bomb landed at Swanley Village, injuring 4 people seriously and 12 slightly, and damaging 30 houses.  Others fell in the parish, one on the Main Road, damaging houses and others doing no harm.

Wilmington - two bombs in Wilmington area resulted in 12 casualties and damage.  The first fell in a nursery, destroying greenhouses where tomatoes were growing.  Blast carried the owner, Mr Wallace, a distance of 20 yards, but he was uninjured.  There were 6 casualties here and 6 more at Stanhill Farm, where the second bomb fell, and trapped a horse in a stable.


1 December 1944 - Stole from Hartley House
Kent Messenger
The Dartford Chronicle has the same story, it gives more detail of what was stolen - £11 in cash, 50 Victorian pennies, 5 pullets, 6 rabbits, 1 cycle, total value £23.  He had sold the chickens locally.  He had not been in trouble with the law for 16 years.

Hard Labour for ex-Convict
Coming out of Dartmoor 16 years ago after serving 4 years' penal servitude, William Clark, 64, of no fixed address, stted at Dartford on Monday that he got a job as a waiter and a few days later served the judge who sentenced him.

He was subsequently dismissed.  His criminal record kept on catching him up and he was sacked from several jobs.

On Monday he was sentenced to 3 months' hard labour for stealing money, a cycle, some pullets and some rabbits from his employer, Kathleen (Nevill) Arnold of Hartley House, Hartley, while working as a gardener.

He was said to have lived in at the house.  While his employer was away for a few days he took some of her property and left a note behind which read: 'Gone away for a week's holiday.  Not feeling too well.  Telephoned Mrs Arnold last night.'  Actually he had not telephoned at all.  He was traced to Torquay.



1945 - Message from Australia
Gravesend Reporter
I don't have the date on the photocopy but it refers to a letter sent Christmas 1944 from Australia.  Mr Bain the writer was probably a patient at the Orchard Military Hospital in WW1 which was for Australian soldiers.
Mr and Mrs Hoadley of Church Road, Hartley, have received a letter from Mr H Bain of Hurstville, New South Wales, stating that their son, Stoker D R Hoadley, was entertained by the Penshurst Sub-Branch of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia at a convivial evening held on December 23rd last.  "As I write this Christmas Day," states the letter, "I know that your thoughts ae of him, and we join with you in praying that he will be delivered safe and sound to you before Christmas 1945.  We of the 1914-1918 conflict remember the hospitality extended to us and we are determined to try and repay in some small measure that hospitality, and have therefore thrown one clubroom open to all members of the British Services.  The writer carries very pleasant memories of the hospitality extended to him by the people of Dartford in late 1916 and early 1917 after leaving Lincoln, where he was a case for 17 weeks.  Your son is well and happy and asked me to send a note of love and remembrance to all.  I conclude with wishing you and all the folks of Dartford a very pleasant and peaceful New Year."  Stoker Hoadley, who is at present in New Zealand, was at one time a member of the Home Guard at Hartley and joined the Royal Navy over 2 years ago.


13 April 1945 - Lost Two Sons in War
Kent Messenger

Sad News for Hartley Parents
News has been received by Mr and Mrs J R Stickland, The Old Downs, Hartley, that their third son, Cpl Alfred Gordon Stickland, 20, has been killed in action in Western Europe.

In March 1941, another son, George Norman Stickland, was killed in an air accident while serving in the RAF.

Educated at Halleybury College, Cpl Stickland joined the QO Royal West Kent Regt in September 1942, and was later transferred.  He went abroad in October last year and was in the 51st Division.

His eldest brother, Capt John Charles Stickland, MC RA, served all through the Malta campaign.

Mr and Mrs Stickland also have a girl and boy still at school.


12 May 1945, 9 June 1945 - VE Day Celebrations at Longfield and Hartley
Gravesend Reporter
Hartley and Longfield both appear to have not expected the war to finish.  The Kent Messenger points out that Hartley authorities didn't start planning VE day celebrations until the evening of VE Day - hence the 10.30pm start.  

However a month later, the children of Hartley got a proper celebration (Reporter 9.6.1945), the paper of the following week recorded letters of thanks to women who helped run the event - Mrs Phillips, Mrs Knight, and Mrs Shambrook.


Longfield Entertains the Children
Longfield village celebrated VE day by the youngsters taking the matter into their own hands, while the adults were considering what should be done to amuse them.  Early in the day a group of lads with flags and bunting paraded the streets, but they asked for nothing, but money and foodstuffs were thrust on them, and the material for a bonfire was kindly given by Mr Skelton, the wood merchant, and on the woodpile a tripod was erected on which hung an effegy of Hitler.  But the children had in the meantime built up an appetite; rough tables were procured and the youngsters, about 40 of them, did justie to a splendid tea in teh open air by the roadside.  Abundant help and provisions were forthcoming as the adults entered into the spirit of the thing.  Next came sports in great variety, and a large crowed had assembled by the time the fire was kindled and  Hitler went up in smoke.

In the Village Hall the scouts were preparing for a dance in the evening, complete with dance band and no entrance fee, and by 9pm the Hall was crowded with joyous youth and a good sprinkling of adults.

The Parish Church was more than full at the thanksgiving service, conducted by Canon W Parker, who used the order of service issued for the occasion adding only a very short address.

Hartley Bonfire
A large crowd assembled in the evening of VE day on the Sports Ground of Hartley Country Club and shortly before 10.30 there was a huge bonfire which could be seen for many miles around.  Afterwards it was open night in the hall of the Club and there was dancing until the early hours, the music being provided by Mrs R Howe.

Earlier in the day All Saints' Parish Church was filled to overflowing when a Thanksgiving Service was conducted by the Rev J W Henderson (rector).

(The following week's paper 19.5.1945 mentions Sunday thanksgiving services at All Saints' and the Congregational Church.

Caught Napping! (Kent Messenger 11.5.1945)
Hartley, near Gravesend, arranged a meeting for Wednesday night to plan its VE Day celebrations!

VE Day Celebrations (Gravesend Reporter 9.6.1945)
To mark the close of hostilities in Europe, over 120 children were entertained at the Hartley Country Club.  A sumptuous spread - tea does not adequately express the repast - was served by members of the Women's Institute, WVS, Women's Guild and helpers, and the long trestle tables were attractively laid out with plenty of good food.  Mr H Sizmur (chairman of the Parish Council) and the Rector (Rev J W Henderson) addressed the children, and as a memento of hte occasion each child was given a mug to take home.  Games and races on the sports field followed, and bumper helpings of ice cream preceded an entertainment given by Mr F W Tickner of Gravesend, who brought a Punch and Judy show and other amusing items.  Music during the afternoon was supplied by Mr E Heymer of Rosherville.


9 June 1945 - Hartley Players are back!
Gravesend Reporter

At  a meeting held at the Country Club on Monday evening it was decided to  revive the Hartley Players.  Officers were elected, including Captain C S  Bignell as chairman and Mr C Boston as Hon Secretary.  The opening play  will be presented in the autumn.  Members are required, and any  information may be obtained from the Hon Secretary c/o Hartley Country  Club.  There are to be two shows annually, and the subscription of 10s  6d entitles a member to two reserved seats for each show.



4 November 1948 - Food Parcels for Britain
Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Sadly, it has been largely forgotten in Britain that after the war many thousands of food parcels were sent here, thanks to the generosity of people from all over the Commonwealth.

Final Sing - Town Hall - Wednesday November 10, 1948 at 8pm
Proceeds - Food for Britain
Admission free but you can reserve a seat for 1s at Begg's on Friday, November 5.
A great programme for a great cause is being aranged.  Famous trio in charge "Demmy", "Himmy", "Alfie".

Extract from letter: "Bay Lodge, Hartley, Dartford, June 8, 1948.  I am a widow of a New Zealander who came to fight.  He hoped to return to God's Own Country, but passed away before that could happen.  I received today a lovely parcel, and am truly thankful for your extremely loving kindness to the people of England.  We all think you are wonderful.  Yours very sincerely, Emineline Waite".

Send donations to J F Himberg, Hon Secretary.


19 August 1949 - Sale at Old Downs
Sevenoaks Chronicle
This was about the time the Sticklands left Old Downs and it was bought by the County Council as an Old People's Home.

The Old Downs, Hartley, Longfield, Kent
The Excellent quality and useful furniture and furnishings, comprising over 350 lots including:

Modern beds and bedding, bedroom, dining room and library suites, good schoolroom furniture, boudoir grand piano by Bechstein, sideboard, bookcases, books, pictures and numerous chairs, large Chinese carpet, quantity of linen, blankets, pillows, carpeting, over 20 oak compactums, ¾ size billiards table by Riley.  Electro-plate, china, glass and kitchen utensils, outdoor effects, motor and hand mowers, poultry houses and sheds, incubator, dog kennels and general miscellanea.

Will be sold by auction on the premises on Wednesday 21st September next at 10.30am precisely.
On view previous day.

Catalogues of the auctioneers, Goddard and Smith, 22 King Street, St James's SW1 (Whitehall 2721).



© Content P Mayer 2000-2018.  Created with WebSite X5
Back to content