They endured air attacks and family members went to war but residents of Upchurch tried to live their lives as normally as possible in difficult times.
The first preparations for war took place at the beginning of the conflict when the parish council allowed the use of the recreation ground for food production, so pigs belonging to farmer Sid Jenkins from Horsham Farm were kept there and the army used part of the ground for physical training. The parish council decided to suspend monthly meetings during the war and only have them when required.
Just after the war began the government introduced a strict rationing system and people were issued with ration books containing coupons which were used to buy goods at designated shops. Rationing continued until 1954.
Anti-aircraft guns were placed just off Poot Lane. A large number of bombs also landed in the Poot Lane area, the most heavily bombed part of the parish due to the presence of an army camp and anti-aircraft gun emplacements.
During 1940 air battles between the RAF and Luftwaffe were regular encounters in the sky above Upchurch. The late Ernie Madden from the Street said that he and other workers had to run for cover on farmland at Ham Green when air sorties began for fear of being struck by falling shrapnel. Several German aircraft were shot down in the parish, landing in the River Medway and on land with one German fighter plane coming down at Gore Farm. German planes shot down Canadian pilot George Corbett over Bayford in October 1940 and a German plane with a five man crew was shot down in the estuary in June 1941. Three of the dead German airmen and Canadian pilot George Corbett were buried in the village graveyard. The remains of the German airmen were transferred to a German war cemetery during the 1960s.
Air raid shelters were strategically placed around the parish. These included shelters at Holywell School and Windmill Hill, beside Plantation Cottages, on the corner of Horsham Lane and The Street, just off The Street near Suffield House and at Kent Terrace. A first aid post became established in 'The Crown and a siren warned of approaching German fighter aircraft.
The village shops and pubs functioned normally and the schools remained open although children could not have their secondary education at Rainham Secondary School. They had to stay at Holywell where the roll increased from 39 to 95 by 1940. Two teachers were borrowed from Rainham Secondary School for Boys to cope with the increased pupil numbers.
Damage from air attacks occurred in the village. The most serious incident happened in August 1944 when a German V2 rocket (a doodle bug) destroyed the bridge in Oak Lane creating a big gap on the track which caused an oncoming Victoria to Ramsgate train to be derailed killing 12 and injuring 34 passengers. Luckily, the train travelling in the opposite direction had been held up at Newington station otherwise it could have been worse. Doctors, ambulances, passers-by and members of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service dealt with the casualties. A new bridge was constructed several months later in November 1944 and it still exists today.
Other incidents also occurred. A bomb exploded near Anne’s Cottages at the lower end of Forge Lane which caused some minor damage while Infant’s School teacher Dora Dawson narrowly escaped injury when a bomb exploded in the village centre and damaged her house. Annie Castle from Forge Lane took in a lodger claiming to be a milkman but when he left Mrs Castle discovered from the police that he was a German spy.
Although a strict blackout existed in the village people still periodically broke it, the most famous being actor James Robertson Justice from Ham Green who, after being reported several times, eventually appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates Court where he received a warning.
In January 1941 the Parish Council organised a system of fire watching and candidates for the Home Guard were elected for fire watching duties in different parts of the parish. In January 1942 all men from 18 to 59 years old had to register for civil defence duties at Holywell School. A group of men led by head warden Cecil Bishop formed the Upchurch Home Guard.
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Upchurch Home Guard. |
When Germany contemplated an invasion of Britain in 1942 preparations were made to defend every town and village in the country. In Upchurch a meeting chaired by Cecil Bishop at the Infants School on July 23rd discussed ways of defending the village. Lieutenant Stevens from the Home Guard explained the proposed village military defensive tactics and Ted Tress, the voluntary food officer, explained how large supplies of food would be stored. They also discussed first aid, repairs to roads, emergency water supplies and taking care of the aged and infirm. The plans were not put into practice as Hitler's invasion of Britain failed to happen.
As in World War One Upchurch groups organised fundraising activities to assist the war effort. In 1940 whist drives and dances were held for causes like the War Relief Fund and The Spitfire Fund. In 1941 The Ladies Knitting Guild raised money for the Russian Red Cross. In March 1942 Warship Week took place to raise money. In July 1943 the Wings for Victory fete took place in the Paddock and raised £400, a record sum. Money was also raised for the Prisoners of War Fund and the RAF Benevolent Fund. In May 1944 'Salute the Soldier Week' raised money.
Regular social events continued throughout the war with live entertainment for parishioners. A new slogan entitled 'Dance for Self-Preservation in 1940 encouraged regular social events and dances which raised money for the village home guard and the first aid post.
Lots of young men of fighting age from the village joined the armed forces. There were casualties. Upchurch cricketer Percy Sketchley and Upchurch footballer Ashley Edmonds were killed and Sid Boakes died in captivity as a prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese. Other Upchurch men taken prisoner of war included Jack Skinner, David Baker, Ray Hogben and Horace Boakes. All returned home at the end of the war. There were also interesting and happy stories like Grace Hart from Horsham Lane who received a message from her husband that he had placed in a bottle and thrown into the sea while serving abroad. A resident of Capetown, South Africa forwarded it to Mrs Hart. The message explained that Mr. Hart was safe and in good health.
As the war drew to a close preparations to celebrate the homecoming of servicemen and VE Day took place to mark the end of the war on May 15th, 1945.
David Wood
About David
David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.
David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.
