‘TRIUMPH AND SORROW’DARTFORD AT THE END OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

In his speech broadcast at 9pm on VE Day, King George VI spoke of ‘this day of just triumph andproud sorrow’, referring to the mixed emotions of joy at the cessation of the fighting but sadness for those, both military and civilian, who had not survived.

Dartford was no exception in sharing these feelings with the rest of the country. Celebrations took place to mark the end of the War but it was not forgotten that the Borough of Dartford had lost 355 servicemen and 192 civilians as a result of that War.

The following information takes the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War to explore the different celebrations and various points of local interest related to the end of the War.

TIMETABLE OF DARTFORD’S VE AND VJ DAY CELEBRATIONS

Tuesday 8 May 1945 - VE Day – Victory in Europe - The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, broadcast the announcement at 3pm that the German High Command had signed the act of unconditional surrender. Hostilities were to end at one minute past midnight. The King broadcast at 9pm.

Wednesday 9 May 1945 – also a holiday. Known as the Second VE Day.

Sunday 13 May 1945 - On Sunday 13 May, the Victory Parade assembled at Cranford Road at 3.00pm and then passed along Lowfield Street, Spital Street, Kent Road, Westgate Road, Hythe Street and High Street, finally returning to Central Park where a united open-air service was held. On the same day there was also a Victory Parade for Swanscombe and Greenhithe which went from Knockhall Chase, Greenhithe, to the grounds of the Girls’ Central School in Southfleet Road, Swanscombe, where a united open-air service was held.

Saturday 19 May 1945 – The Dartford Harriers Livingstone Hospital Victory Sports day was held at the West Central School Sports Ground.

Saturday 18 August 1945 – Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley VE celebrations held for over 650 children at St John’s Jerusalem.

Wednesday 15 August 1945 - VJ Day – Victory over Japan - This was announced at midnight and therefore many people had already made their way to work on Wednesday before finding out that it was a national holiday, along with Thursday. The main attraction was in the evening, when Central Park was illuminated in a marvelous display of coloured lights.

Monday 17 September 1945 - Third VE Day – The date on which to hold these celebrations was decided by Dartford Borough Council. It was regretted that no floodlighting was permitted in Central Park due to lighting restrictions. The Council had asked the Kent Education Committee to arrange a children’s party but this was refused since it was too close to the school holidays. Finally, the Council agreed to the National Union of Teachers’ suggestion of having a VE party at Christmas instead.

Saturday 29 September 1945 – Saturday 6 October 1945 - Thanksgiving Week.

Saturday 8 June 1946 – Borough of Dartford Victory Celebrations – Thousands of Dartford people and many more from outlying districts were said to have crowded into Dartford to take part in the Victory celebrations, which, despite the heavy rain in the afternoon, took place successfully. Planned events included a cricket match in Hesketh Park, a Dartford Harriers Sports Day in the West County Modern School Sports Ground and, at 9.30pm, a military tattoo consisting of the Beating the Retreat and a torchlight procession at the ‘car park’ (presumably in the middle of Market Street).

Saturday 15 June – Saturday 22 June 1946 - the Dartford and District Victory Carnival. Saturday 15 June saw the crowning of the Carnival Queen, Miss Peggy Sampson, at 3pm and the Carnival Procession starting at 6.45pm.

Sunday 23 June 1946 – the Bishop of Rochester attended a Special Thanksgiving Service which was held in Central Park at 3.30pm.

8th Jun~, 1946 l o -DAY, As WE CELEBRATE VICTORY,

I send this personal message to you and all other boys and girls at school. For you have shared in the hardships and dangers of a total war and you have shared no less in the triumph of the Allied Nations.

I know you will a]ways feel proud to belong to a country which was capable of such supreme effort; proud, too, of parents and elder brothers and sisters who by their courage, endurance and enterprise brought victory. May these quaHties be yours as you grow up and join in the common effort to establish among the nations of the world unity and peace.

Victory address to the children of the country from HM King George VI. This example, given to a local child, is dated 8 June 1946 which was the day of national celebration. Dartford’s celebrations that day

went well, despite rain in the afternoon. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

VE CELEBRATIONS IN DARTFORD

The Second World War in Europe ended on Tuesday 8 May 1945 but it was widely known for some days beforehand that this would happen. It was announced in the local press four days earlier that VE Day and the day after would be declared as general holidays, the Prime Minister would broadcast on VE Day at 3.00pm and HM the King would broadcast at 9.00pm to the Empire. Services of Thanksgiving would be held in all churches, and church bells would be rung. The following Sunday would be observed as a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. Bonfires would be allowed but good salvage material was not to be used.

Of course, many community street parties were organised and, fortunately, photographed.

On Sunday 13 May, the Victory Parade assembled at Cranford Road at 3.00pm and then passed along Lowfield Street, Spital Street, Kent Road, Westgate Road, Hythe Street and High Street, finally returning to Central Park. The order of march in the Victory Parade was as follows:

Anson Unit Sea Cadet Corps; 496 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery; Royal Artillery Band, 18th Battalion, Kent Home Guard; 18th Battalion, Kent Home Guard; 7th Cadet Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment; Dartford Grammar School Junior Training Corps; Band, ATC; 1051 Squadron Air Training Corps; Royal Observer Corps; Police Special Constables; National Fire Service; Civil Defence Service; Women’s Voluntary Service; Salvation Army Band; St John Ambulance Brigade; British Red Cross Society; Fire Guard; Works ARP Detachments; British Legion; Hospitals; Boy Scouts; Sea Scouts; Girl Guides.

The Parade was followed by the United Thanksgiving Day service. Hymns were accompanied by the Salvation Army Band. Civil Defence personnel were inspected by Alderman W. Ward, Cllr C. Bareham, Captain G. Evans (ARP Controller) and Captain J. Ray (Chief Warden) and were thanked for their services.

VE CELEBRATIONS IN SUTTON-AT-HONE AND HAWLEY

On 18 August 1945, over 650 children were entertained at the Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley VE celebrations which were held in the grounds of St John’s Jerusalem.

The event started with a carnival procession which set off at 1.45pm from Sutton Corner, headed by the band of the 7th Cadet Battalion of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment which led everyone into the grounds of St John’s Jerusalem.

Entertainment included a fancy dress competition, free rides on a miniature railway loaned by J & E Hall’s Model Engineering Club, pony and trap rides, swings and roundabouts, Punch and Judy and three clowns who led the children in community singing.

There were also various sports competitions for which prizes were distributed.

Refreshments were provided, along with ice cream and about 750 apples.

VE CELEBRATIONS IN SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE

On Sunday 13 May there was a Victory Parade for Swanscombe and Greenhithe which went from Knockhall Chase, Greenhithe, to the grounds of the Girls’ Central School in Southfleet Road, Swanscombe, where a united open-air service was held.

The parade included the Sea Cadets, Sea Ranger, Home Guard, National Fire Service, Civil Defence, St John Ambulance Brigade, St John Nursing Sisters, St John Cadets, Greenhithe and District branch of the British Legion, Women’s Voluntary Service, Women’s Land Army, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, with music from the band of the Sea Cadets and the Salvation Army (Gravesend) Band.

WELCOME HOME PARTY FOR LOCAL PRISONERS OF WAR

One hundred and forty local men who had returned home after being prisoners of war were invited to a party at the Lucania British Restaurant in the High Street, Dartford on 31 May 1945. The event was organised by the officers and committee of the Dartford Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association and was attended by the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, the Town Clerk and numerous councillors. Not all of the returned prisoners could attend since some were either in hospital, on holiday or had returned to their units.

Canon Elliott Mitchell opened the proceedings with the prayer used at meetings of the Association for the past five years.

The Mayor, Alderman Ward, then offered a civic welcome and thanked the men on behalf of the citizens of Dartford for all they had done.

Councillor Mrs Botten, the Chairman of the committee of the Dartford Prisoners of War Relatives’ Association, then thanked the Mayor for his message and Mrs Drake, the supervisor at the restaurant, for providing the refreshments. Cllr Mrs Botten said that the committee were delighted to have arranged the gathering and were looking forward to a further gathering when the men from the Far East returned.

The entertainment then commenced, including a jazz band, various singers, Councillor Phillips with his ‘Whistling Doll’ and Miss Marjorie Woodward with her Blenheim Juveniles concert party.

The evening concluded with Captain Watts of the Royal West Kent Regiment giving thanks on behalf of all the men.

VJ DAY CELEBRATIONS IN DARTFORD, 15 AUGUST 1945

Although people knew that VJ Day was not far off, the midnight announcement on the night of Tuesday 14 August 1945 came as a surprise to many, especially those who arrived at work the next morning to find out that they had been given the Wednesday off, along with the following day.

Flags and bunting were soon put up, and schoolboys besieged a Dartford shop to buy fireworks while their parents queued up at food shops. The bells of Holy Trinity Church were rung in the morning. Later in the day, people came out into the streets but there was said to be less obvious excitement than on VE Day.

In the evening, bonfires were lit in lots of places. A number of public houses sold out early in the evening although there was no obvious sign of drunkenness. The only trouble was interference with some decorations and the damage and theft of valuable flags which had been put out. Central Park was a popular gathering point in the evening as thousands of people went to enjoy the illuminations. At the entrance was a large display with constantly changing lights surmounted by the word ‘Peace’ in coloured lights. The flower beds and ponds were lit by hundreds of coloured lamps against a background of floodlit trees and the illuminated bandstand topped by a ‘blazing ball of light’. An island in one of the ponds was said to have a fluorescent display showing artificial flowers changing from natural to tropical colours when lit alternately by ordinary and ultra-violet lamps. Floodlighting allowed people to dance well into the night.

Also in the evening, a special thanksgiving service was held in Holy Trinity Church and was attended by a large congregation.

VICTORY STREET PARTIES

Street parties to celebrate the end of the war were organised all over Dartford. From the end of the War in Europe on 8 May 1945, they continued right through until at least 31 October 1945, having been reinvigorated by Victory over Japan on 15 August.

The local newspaper, the Dartford Chronicle and Kentish Times, lists a total of 89 separate parties, 51 being for VE Day and 38 being for VJ Day. We know that others took place but details were not sent to the newspaper for publication.

Many of the parties have common elements. They were usually held in the street but sometimes they were arranged for local halls, often at the last minute due to inclement weather. There were sit-down refreshments known as Victory teas for the local children. Often the children would be given ice creams and individual Victory cakes, although some parties had a single, large iced Victory cake.

Entertainments included fancy dress competitions, usually, but not always, just for the children. Cllr Willy Phillips would often appear with his musical puppet (sometimes described as a ‘whistling doll’). Concert parties consisting of children, such as Mrs Eva Brampton’s ‘Imps’ and Miss Marjorie Woodward’s ‘Blenheim Juveniles’, would also tour around some of these events. Other entertainment was also provided at several parties by the Preston Twins and a conjurer/ventriloquist called Billy Day. Some parties involved races and other games.

Many parties had recently-returned prisoners of war as their guests of honour, although Cllr Mrs Botten and other councillors often attended. Other treats included Punch and Judy shows and rides in pony-drawn carts.

In the evening there would often be fireworks and a bonfire, sometimes including the burning of an effigy of Hitler. Charity collections were often made. The evenings would often finish with floodlit dancing for the adults. Pianos and piano accordions seem to have been the most popular musical instruments used throughout each party and these would have led the community singing which often took place. On several occasions the parties ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF VICTORY PARTIES IN DARTFORD (these are VE celebrations unless marked ‘VJ’) – the list has been compiled from those parties which were reported to the Dartford Chronicle.

Acacia Road, Stone (see Oak Road) VJ

Anne of Cleves Road, Priory Hill, Priory Place and Kingsfield Terrace – partly held in the Conybeare Club due to rain (reported on 18 May)

Anne of Cleves Road (Saturday 1 September) VJ

Ash Road, Dartford (Sunday 13 May)

Victory celebrations in Ash Road, Hawley. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Ash Road, Hawley (undated)

Ashen Drive – children’s tea held in hall at rear of Chastilian Road Fire Station (Saturday 26 May)

Bath Road (see Gloucester Road)

Bayly Road (Saturday 19 May)

Bedford Road & Rochester Road (Wednesday 22 August) VJ

Beech Road – held at the Drill Hall, Lowfield Street (Saturday 11 August)

Birch Place (see Carlton Avenue)

Blenheim Road (reported on 25 May)

Brandon Road (Saturday 12 May)

Brandon Road – partly held in St Alban’s Hall due to weather (Tuesday 21 August) VJ

Brent Close – held in the street (Wednesday 9 May)

Brentlands Drive (see Princes Road)

Broomhill Road – over 200 children sat down to tea outside the hall (Saturday 19 May)

Bullace Lane – in street outside the house of Mr A. Crane, returned prisoner of war who was confined to bed (reported on 6 July)

Burnham Crescent Estate – held in Shirley Close (reported on 8 June)

Burnham Road & Chatsworth Road (Saturday 2 June)

Carlisle Road, Mildred Close & Finchley Close (Saturday 19 May)

Victory party held in Carlisle Road, Dartford. Possibly the VE party held on Saturday 19 May 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Carlton Avenue, Birch Place, Cross Terrace & Hayes Road – held at Stone First Aid Point (Saturday 26 May)

Carrington Road – held on a lawn behind one of the houses partly demolished by a V1 flying bomb (Thursday 17 May)

Carrington Road – held in St Alban’s Parish Hall (Friday 7 September) VJ

Aerial photo taken on 19 October 1945 showing ruined houses yet to be rebuilt following the V1 flying bomb incent which had killed ten people in Carrington Road on 6 August 1944.

Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Carsington Gardens (see Oakfield Park Road)

Cedar Road (Saturday 2 June)

Charles Street (see Lower Charles Street) VJ

Chastilian Road (see Heather Drive)

Chatsworth Road (see Burnham Road)

Colney Road (see New Colney Road)

Cross Terrace (see Carlton Avenue)

Dartford Road (see Wellington Road)

Devonshire Avenue – held at West Hill Schools (Monday 28 May)

Downs Avenue (see Park Road) VJ

East Hill (reported on 25 May)

East Hill (see Mount Pleasant Road on 25 August) VJ

East Hill – held at St Alban’s Hall (Monday 8 October) VJ

Elm Road (see Hawthorne Road on 2 June)

Elm Road - held at Wilmington Masonic Hall (Saturday 28 July)

Elm Road, Stone (see Oak Road) VJ

Fairway Drive and part of London Road – tea tables were set out on the green between the houses (Friday 24 August) VJ

Finchley Close (see Carlisle Road)

Fire Guards’ Tea Party for children – held at Scouts’ Hall, Little Queen Street (Saturday 26 May)

Francis Road & Grosvenor Crescent (Saturday 12 May)

Franklin’s Estate – held at East Central Boys’ School canteen, following procession from Princes Avenue. Adults later danced in grounds of Princes Hotel (Saturday 26 May)

Fulwich Road – held at Fulwich Farm (Saturday 2 June)

VE party, Fulwich Road, Dartford, possibly the one held at Fulwich Farm on 2 June 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Fulwich Road – held in St Alban’s Hall (Saturday 20 October) VJ

VJ party, Fulwich Road, Dartford, held on 20 October 1945. The photo was taken outside 92 and 94 Fulwich Road but the party was held in St Alban’s Hall. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Gladstone Road (Saturday 12 May)

Victory party held in Gladstone Road, Dartford, 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Gloucester Road, Bath Road, Somerset Road and part of Shepherds Lane (Thursday 24 May)

Grosvenor Crescent (see Francis Road)

Havelock Road (Wednesday 23 May)

Hawley Road – tea was held in Masonic Hall (Saturday 22 September) VJ

Hawthorne Road, Hazel Road & Elm Road (Saturday 2 June)

Hayes Road (see Carlton Avenue)

Hazel Road (see Hawthorne Road)

Heathclose Avenue & Heathclose Crescent – held at Christ Church Hall (Saturday 26 May)

Heather Drive & Chastilian Road – partly held in the NFS hut (Saturday 9 June)

Hedge Place Road & St James’ Lane – held at the Drill Hall, Horns Cross (Thursday 13 September) VJ

Highfield Road & Summerhill Road – including a torchlight procession to Birmingham’s fish shop for 200 free bags of chips (Monday 27 August) VJ

Highfield Road South – partly held in the Salutation Club Room (Saturday 2 June)

Hill Rise – held at the Hut, Lanes End (Friday 11 May)

Holly Road (Wednesday 6 June)

Victory party held in Holly Road, Dartford, possibly the VE party on Wednesday 6 June. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Home Gardens (undated)

Victory party held in Home Gardens, Dartford, 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum. Howard Road – held at St Alban’s Hall (Saturday 27 October) VJ

Invicta Road – partly held at Stone House Hospital (Saturday 26 May)

Ivy Close (Saturday 25 August) VJ

Kent Road (Wednesday 16 or 23 May)

Kingsfield Terrace (see Anne of Cleves Road)

Ladywood Road, Lanes End (Saturday 19 May)

Ladywood Road, Lanes End (Saturday 23 August) VJ

Lawford Gardens (Saturday 19 May)

Victory party held in Lawford Gardens, Dartford, 1945. Possibly the VE party held on Saturday 19 May 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Lawson Road (see Priory Road) VJ

Leyton Cross Road & Tredegar Road (Saturday 25 August) VJ

Lingfield Avenue & Watling Street – held on land provided by Lorenzo Fuller (Saturday 12 May)

Little Queen Street – held at the Scouts’ Hall (Saturday 7 July)

Lodge Avenue & West Hill Drive – held at the Rose & Crown (Saturday 19 May)

London Road (part of) (see Fairway Drive) VJ

Lower Charles Street, Greenhithe (Saturday 25 August) VJ

Victory party held in Charles Street, Greenhithe, 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Lowfield Street (see Norman Road) VJ

Marcet Road Post Area – held at West Central School grounds (Saturday 30 June)

Marina Drive (see Princes Road)

Mayfair Road - held at Conybeare Club (Saturday 22 September) VJ

Mildred Close (see Carlisle Road)

Mill Road, Hawley – held in the private road of Mr and Mrs Chalcraft, with an evening function in the Mission Hall (reported on 21 September) VJ

Morland Avenue (see Swaisland Road) VJ

Mount Pleasant Road – tables set up in street (Saturday 12 May – reported on 18 and 25 May)

Mount Pleasant Road & East Hill (Saturday 25 August) VJ

Nelson Road – held in playground of West Hill School (Saturday 12 May)

Nelson Road – held at Sutton’s Hall (Wednesday 3 October) VJ

New Colney Road (VE party on 12 May according to personal reminiscence but also and undated VJ party which was reported in the local press) VJ

Children in fancy dress outside the Colney Road Co-op store, Dartford. Possibly for VE celebrations on Saturday 12 May 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Norman Road & Lowfield Street – held at the Masonic Hall (says Dartford but the Wilmington one is more likely since the children walked there and the guest of honour was from Wilmington (Saturday 20 October) VJ

North Road (Saturday 9 June)

Oak Road, Acacia Road & Elm Road, Stone – held in the Co-operative Hall, Horns Cross (Saturday 27 October) VJ

Oakfield Park Road & Carsington Gardens (Saturday 2 June)

Olive Road (see Willow Road on 23 May; separate event just for Olive Road on Saturday 16 June)

Olive Road – held at the Wilmington Masonic Hall (Saturday 29 September) VJ

Park Road & Downs Avenue (?22 or ?28 August) VJ

Princes Road, Princes View, Marina Drive and Brentlands Drive (reported on 18 May)

Princes View (see Princes Road)

Priory Hill (see Anne of Cleves Road)

Priory Place (see Anne of Cleves Road)

Priory Road & Lawson Road – held at the Conybeare Club (Saturday 20 October) VJ

Rochester Road (see Bedford Road) VJ

St Alban’s Road – held in the school grounds (reported on 25 May)

St Alban’s Road – held in St Alban’s Hall (Wednesday 31 October) VJ

St James’ Lane (see Hedge Place Road) VJ

St Vincent’s Road – held in a decorated and illuminated marquee on a site lent by Mr Roberts (Saturday 22 September) VJ

Shepherds Lane (part of) (see Gloucester Road)

Shepherds Lane – held at Christ Church Hall (Friday 21 September) VJ

Somerset Road (see Gloucester Road)

Somerville Road (see Summerville Road as it was spelt at the time)

South Street (Saturday 6 October) VJ

Suffolk Road (Sunday 13 May)

Suffolk Road (Friday 7 September) VJ

Summerhill Road (see Highfield Road) VJ

Summerhouse Drive (Saturday 19 May)

Summerville Road (reported on 18 May)

Summerville Road – partly held in the Scouts’ Hall due to rain (reported on 7 September) VJ

Sussex Road – held in the Scouts’ Hall, Little Queen Street (Friday 14 September) VJ

Swaisland Road, Morland Avenue & Walkley Road – held at Christ Church Hall (Thursday ?4 or Saturday ?6 October) VJ

Sycamore Road (see Willow Road)

Tredegar Road (see Leyton Cross Road) VJ

Walkley Road (see Swaisland Road) VJ

Watling Street (see Lingfield Avenue)

Wellington Road & Dartford Road – held at Lutonia Hall by the Wellington Road and Dartford Road Fire Guards (Saturday 9 June)

West Hill Drive (see Lodge Avenue)

West View Road South (Wednesday 15 August) VJ

Willow Road, Olive Road & Sycamore Road – held at West Central Schools (Wednesday 23 May)

Willow Road – held at the Drill Hall, Lowfield Street (reported on 12 October) VJ

Wilmot Road – held at the Co-operative Hall, Crayford (Saturday 29 September) VJ

YMCA, West Hill – Victory tea and party (Tuesday 28 August) VJ

GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR

The Borough of Dartford was home to at least three prisoner of war camps. One was in Wilmington at the junction of Edwin Road and Martin Road (originally for Italians then Germans), one in fields next to Ship Lane, Sutton-at-Hone and another, Ministry of Works Camp 154, was at Swanscombe Street in Swanscombe. Prisoners were allowed to return home gradually between 1946 and 1948.

One lady recalled seeing the German prisoners, whom she remembered as being blond, marching in perfect step along Swanscombe High Street as they were taken to church every Sunday morning. The prisoners at Swanscombe produced their own newspaper called ‘Lagerstimme – Demokratische Lagerzeitung’ (Camp Voice – Democratic Camp News).

Another lady remembered that the Sutton-at-Hone prisoners were allowed to visit the village to sell items they had made, such as slippers made from plaited rope with rubber soles made from old tyres.

From the summer of 1945, the British government made German prisoners of war available for building work wherever there were shortages of labour. Therefore Dartford Borough Council successfully applied for men to help build the pre-fabs which were being constructed in the area.

In a meeting of Dartford Borough Council’s Library and Museum Committee in June 1947, it was decided to grant full library services (i.e. borrowing facilities and use of the News Room and Reference Library) to German prisoners of war subject to satisfactory guarantees that care would be taken to avoid losses through loans. This made front page news in the local newspaper which quoted Councillor Bentley as saying ‘I hope it will be a step in the right direction to cement better feeling between ourselves and the Germans.’

In July 1947, the local newspaper ran a story reporting that German prisoners in the Ship Lane prisoner of war camp in Sutton-at-Hone would soon be moved out and that the accommodation would be used to house Polish families.

However, it seems that the German prisoners were still there in September because the children of the Imps Concert Party of Dartford entertained nearly 100 German prisoners of war at the Village Hall in Sutton-at-Hone one Saturday. This was organised by the local Home Guard Social Club. The show was compered jointly in German and English. The children chatted to the prisoners during the interval and the newspaper included a photograph of them in conversation with Gerhart Adam of Breslau (now Wrocław in Poland) and Toni Kramer of Bonn. The concert was well received and the Imps offered to give another performance at The Hut in Lanes End for Germans from other camps in the area.

GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR WORKING IN DARTFORD

In July 1945 Dartford Borough Council were told that the company of Balls and Partners had insufficient men to fulfil their contract to construct the roads and sewers prior to the building of the ‘pre-fab’ temporary housing on the Fairfield and Loampit (soon renamed Meadowside) sites in Lowfield Street. A government circular had recently gone out to all councils to say that German prisoner of war labour was available for this purpose and so the Council arranged for this to take place under the supervision of Balls and Partners. It was also decided to ask for German prisoners of war to undertake the same work on the pre-fab site soon to be known as Blackmans Close at the junction of Heath Lane and Princes Road at the top of Heath Lane. However this request was refused by the Ministry of Health.

In January 1946, the Vicar of Dartford gave a sermon in which he objected to local women ‘petting and pampering’ the German prisoners of war who were working in the town and giving them parcels, cakes and cigarettes. The English foreman of the German working party said ‘Up to now they have been fine workmen. The only trouble has been caused by these giggling girls and married women.’

The following month Dartford Borough Council received a government circular saying that extra German prisoners of war could be added to existing contracts and so the Council decided to ask again for more men to help on the Heath Lane/Princes Road site, but this time for the construction of the concrete bases on which the pre-fabs would be built. Approval was received in March. At least one of these pre-fabs had to be demolished at a later date due to a fault with the concrete base. However, Council Minutes at the time of the construction mention that ‘work is progressing as fast as the wet weather will allow’ so poor conditions may have been the cause rather than any deliberate sabotage by the German prisoners of war!

In June 1946, Dartford Borough Council received a circular from the Home Office advertising the availability of German prisoners of war for demolishing public air raid shelters and other Civil

Defence work. The Civil Defence Committee decided to let the Borough Surveyor decide but the outcome is not known.

DARTFORD’S PART IN THE TREATMENT OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

In May 1946, Dartford Borough Council received a letter (see below) from Dr Maxwell Jones, the psychiatrist in charge of the Neurosis Unit at the Southern Hospital (now the site of Darenth Country Park), saying that in the space of 11 months they had treated 1,200 British Prisoners of War, repatriated from north-west Europe, who were suffering from mental problems. He thanked the businesses of Dartford which had provided work placements as part of the patients’ treatment.

The accommodation consisted of six separate blocks, each housing 50 beds where patients would stay for an average of six weeks. Each block was administered by a doctor and six nurses with additional staff including a vocational psychologist, a disablement-rehabilitation officer from the Ministry of Labour, a psychiatric social worker and an occupational therapist.

The first part of the men’s treatment consisted of psychotherapy with rare use of electric convulsion therapy and sodium amytal.

The second part was group discussions from 9 to 10am every day which often involved the showing of educational films. Once a week there was a discussion about hospital life and this usually took the form of complaints about the food!

The third part was work outside the hospital to which the patients were taken by bus from 10am until mid-day and then from 2 until 4pm. Over fifty local employers were willing to help the patients experience a real work environment, although the men were only expected to lend a hand, not to do any real work. The choice of work included farming, dairy farming, market gardening, building, garage work, engineering, foundry work, agricultural engineering, shipyard work, paper mills, chemical factory work, printing, clerical and shop work.

The fourth part was social rehabilitation since the men were uneasy in crowds and shy of women. Therefore great use was made of female nurses including the running of a dance class for non-dancers. Then fortnightly social evenings were started where women from a local factory were invited to dances.

The final part of the treatment was the idea of arranging employment for the men before they were discharged although this was not always successful.

Earlier in the War, Dr Maxwell Jones had been part of the Maudsley Hospital team, based at Mill Hill Emergency Hospital, which investigated the relationship between chest pains and stress in military personnel. Jones had also pioneered group therapy treatment with servicemen at this

time. After Dartford, from April 1947, this pioneering work was continued at the Belmont Hospital, Sutton, and the subsequent Henderson Unit.

DR MAXWELL JONES’ LETTER OF THANKS TO THE PEOPLE OF DARTFORD

‘We have now left the Southern Hospital, Dartford, Kent, after having treated over 1,200 patients in 11 months.

I cannot thank you enough for the help you gave us in treating these men. The neurotic ex-P.O.W. had typically lost confidence in himself, both socially and in relation to his work. Working in a normal community helped him to feel that he “belonged” again.

A follow-up study of our patients three months after leaving hospital shows that all but 8% of them are usefully employed. You have allowed us to carry out a most interesting social experiment, which has proved very successful. Patients, nurses and doctors join in thanking you for your generosity and interest.

The enclosed reprint from the British Medical Journal describes the work of the unit and at the end pays public tribute to the people of Dartford.’

A G.I. BRIDE FROM DARTFORD

It is not known how many women from Dartford married American servicemen and went to the USA to live with them at the end of the Second World War. However, here is the story of one such woman which was published in the Dartford Chronicle in April 1946.

On 24 August 1944, Miss Cynthia Wilkinson of 117 Brent Lane, Dartford, married Sergeant Elroy Nowitzke of the US Army in Holy Trinity Church, Dartford. She was employed at Beadle’s in Dartford during the War but had previously worked as a hairdresser.

After the War, and once her husband had been demobilised from the US Army, Cynthia was allowed to join him in America. Her ship, the Italian liner Vulcania, docked in New York on Sunday 17 February 1946, carrying many other war brides as well. Her husband, his sister and the best man from the wedding were all there to greet her.

The following day they visited Macy’s department store, the Empire State Building and took a boat trip to the Statue of Liberty where they went up into the viewing level in the head.

The best man wrote to Cynthia’s parents and said that her ‘eyes were like saucers’ and that ‘some things were astounding her, especially her purchase of a very lovely suit of grey woollen worsted without coupons, and the amount of women’s apparel in the shops’.

Then it was time for the couple to travel to Wyandotte, Michigan, (11 miles south of Detroit) where they would be living with his parents. On arrival, a wedding reception was held for the couple.

REMINISCENCES OF LOCAL VE PARTIES

Here are some reminiscences given to Dartford Borough Museum in 1995 when the 50th

anniversary of VE Day was being celebrated:

VE PARTIES AND BONFIRES

‘VE Day was, of course, a great occasion of joy for the adults and we children soon became excited too, although we hadn’t really understood the seriousness of the war. I remember that street parties were quickly organised with rationing points pooled and store cupboards raided.

In the evening bonfires were lit in the middle of roads. These bonfires left large round burnt patches in the road surfaces and were a visible sign of those celebrations for many years after.

An after effect of the street committees which were formed to celebrate the end of the war in Europe was that they became the organisations who set up the 5th of November community fireworks and bonfire street festivities.’

Bryan Clarke, writing in 1995

VE PARTY FOOD AND GAMES

‘Our street party did not happen until Sunday 13th May, in common with the rest of the nation, the residents of our street got together and celebrated VE Day. I suppose the fare today would seem very mundane, but I really don’t know how the grown-ups managed to provide a magnificent spread of assorted sandwiches, cakes and buns, tinned fruit and jellies. People really raided their store cupboards. Flags and even balloons appeared.

I don’t remember if there was any music but there might have been an old wind-up gramophone. We did have some organised games, and of course, prizes of second-hand and homemade toys and cash. I won a golly made from a black stocking and had white buttons for eyes. I passed this on to a younger cousin, disappointed I had not won a cash prize of 6 pence which was then a fortune.’

Iris Sargant, writing in 1995

MEMORIES OF COLNEY ROAD VE PARTY

During the war Brenda Jarvis lived in Colney Road, Dartford and was ten years old when she celebrated VE Day. Like the rest of the country, neighbours celebrated Victory in Europe together, with grown-ups pooling their rations and children dressing in fancy dress. Colney Road had a street party on the Saturday after VE Day, with a spread of sandwiches, home-made cakes and jelly and ice cream.

Looking back at the VE Day celebrations, Brenda could not believe the amazing costumes that the children were wearing, especially considering that clothes were rationed. Brenda had borrowed a Britannia costume from a friend which consisted of a ‘Union Jack’ tunic, a golden helmet and a trident.

An official photographer came to take a photograph of the children in fancy dress, outside the Co-op in Colney Road. Although Brenda looks statuesque in the centre of the picture, she had to borrow a box from the store so that she could see over everybody’s heads.

Brenda said ‘Back in those days we took everything in our stride, the war seemed like a big adventure and, like many children, I had grown up surrounded by it. I don’t think we realised the significance of VE Day back then, now I can look back and appreciate it.’

Brenda Jarvis, interviewed in 1995

FIREMEN JOINED THE OVERY STREET VE PARTY

Thomas Taylor lived in Overy Street and was 30 years of age at the time of the VE party. He remembered that the tables were set out in the street outside Seager’s foundry. The street was decorated with flags and bunting. Firemen from the nearby Fire Station joined in with the celebrations. Later a bonfire was lit in the street.

Thomas Taylor, interviewed in 1995

Service of Thanksgiving HELD IN THE CANTEEN OF

MESSRS. J. & E. BALL, LTD.

on "VE DAY," 1945.

HYMN.

0 God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure;

Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame,

From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone;

Short as the wl!tch that ends the night Before the rising sun.

T ime, like an everlasting stream, Bears all its sons away;

They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day.

0 God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,

Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home. Amen.

Order of Service for a Service of Thanksgiving held in the Canteen of J & E Hall Ltd, apparently on VE Day, 8 May 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

OF DARTFORD

CONTROL CENTRE 1939 - 45

FAREWELL SUPPER

at Council Offices, Dartford 6th DECEMBER, 1945 .

••.

Commemorative card for the Farewell Supper for the women who formed Dartford Borough Council’s Control Centre staff. The meal was held at the Council Offices in the High Street, 6 December 1945.

Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

years ago when in trouble To the help of the town you all came. Answering its cry at the double And treating it just as a game.

Control centre was the duty You took up during the war. No uniform graced your beauty, A tin hat they gave you-no more.

Many the hours that you spent there, Just waiting with nothing to do Knitting or listening to hot air Seem'd wasteful the weeks you went thro'.

Times there were unfortunately When action was asked for quick. Calling Rescue and Ambulance madly To go to the maimed and the sick.

Those were the times that mattered. F ew perhaps sp1ead o'er the years. \ Vhen the town with bombs was spattered, You were helpful and saved much tears.

Forgotten then were the grouses, About teas and petty moans. You worked to save shattered houses. Sitting hours by ringing 'Phones.

Sometimes detained there for hours late, By raids lasting all the night thro'. You froze and sat in fuggy state And your feelings were sometimes blue.

Later when warnings w,~re rarer, You carried on with your turn. Inaction made it the harder, From your duty you did not spurn.

It's all over now, thank goodness, For ever we hope it will l;,e. Of the sadness and happiness, K eep the latter in memory.

Thanks aren't needed to reward you For sacrifice made with a joke. Just go forward proudly into A New World - for worthy folk.

Poem on the reverse of the Control Centre Farewell Supper commemorative card, 1945. Credit: Dartford Borough Museum.

Structure Bookmarks