Wartime memories

We're gradually adding bits and pieces about the history of Eton and Eton Wick to the website. If you have done any research or have memories you would like to add, please email us or contact Mrs Teresa Stanton, Secretary.

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Dorney Common Anti-Aircraft Battery 1940-45

The first territorial anti-aircraft (ack-ack) unit arrived on the Dorney Common site in June 1940. Other local sites included the tower mounted 40mm on the Brocas, Eton. Read more here........



VJ Day: Recall 60 Ten Years on

Ten years ago (2005) the Village Hall, together with the History Group commemorated the end of WW2 by inviting the village veterans of that war to a Celebratory Lunch in the Village Hall. It is not known how many Eton Wick men and women served in the war time forces, although a very rough estimate of 130 is suggested. You can read more here.......







Tuesday 8th May 1945 V.E. Day

With the declaration of a two day holiday the nation commenced its celebration with church services which many attended to give thanks for victory and deliverance from tyranny. Flags and bunting appeared on the Tuesday morning in Windsor and Slough giving the streets a look of carnival. Celebrations had started quietly in the early part of the day, the crowds gathering during the early afternoon after the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had broadcast to the nation that all hostilities in Europe were at an end. Read more here.....

 

Eton Wick School: 1939 - 1945

Tuesday 8th May 1945 marked the end of the war in Europe. After six long years of the second world war the Germans had surrendered unconditionally, and although fighting continued in the far east until 15th August (V.J. Day), for many people Victory in Europe day was the beginning of peace. V.E. Day was celebrated across the land, and in this article John Denham describes what took place in Eton and Eton Wick.
  

 The Evacuees - 

During the war many children were sent away from cities like London to live in "safer" areas. Sixty years on, one of those children now looks back at her memories of being an evacuee and the bombing of Eton College.



An Evacuee's story


During the war many children were sent away from cities like London to live in "safer" areas. One of those children looks back at her memories of being an evacuee and the bombing of Eton College.


V1 attack on Windsor 

On the afternoon of Saturday July 1st, 1944, a flying bomb was seen and heard coming from the direction of Slough towards Windsor...





Commandeered by the Government, pilfered by black marketeers, raided by military police who were outwitted by the P.O.W.s - there was lots going on at Manor Farm during the war!





Luftwaff raid on Maidenhead & Bray 

The retaliation air raid on west London shortly after midnight of 22nd/23rd February 1944 by the German Luftwaffe was carried out by 155 aircraft made up of Dornier 217 M’s, Ju 188’s and Me 410 A’s. 

This resulted in bombs being dropped on the Maidenhead area - probably the largest bombing attack on this area during the entire war.




Wartime memories - an assortment

These include: The Egg, Let's join the Wrens, Officials go Bon Bon, You may be wrong, but You are never right!!, Camp News... Undesirable living accommodation, London in the blitz, Air Raids… Early Fears & Precautions, This away or That away, A Thursday Memory, Eton College Bombed, I remember

2 comments:

  1. A couple of years ago I bought a small box which bears a dedication to F.H White with the years 1939-45...'in appreciation of your courage and self-sacrifice from your fellow citizens of Eton and Eton Wick'. Each time I look at it I think there may well be someone in the area to whom this should really belong!...

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  2. Hello John, Thank you for your interesting comment. There is a record of a Fred H White in the 1939 Register who was a Gentleman's Hairdresser at 33, High Street in Eton. He was a Special Constable.

    Steve
    Eton Wick History Group

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