World War 2 Eighty Years On- September 1944

September

Four days after the capture of Antwerp on September 4th. the Germans launched the first V2 rocket attack against London. The V2, unlike the V1, gave no warning of its approach therefore no defence was possible. The attacks continued until the end of November and it is a belief that a V2 fell in Windsor Forest.  A defence measure against the V1's involved the deployment of anti-aircraft batteries to the south coast and those which had manned many of the sites around the Windsor - Slough district moved to become part of the defences. Sections of 608 battery went to Folkstone where they were credited with the shooting down of 102 V1 flying bombs.  

V I  [Doodlebug] flying bomb attacks 

over Bucks and Berks 1944—45

Later volunteers from 183 Regiment Batteries went to Belgium to defend Antwerp against the V1's.  

Although the blackout was still in force limited street lighting was allowed for the winter of 1944.  The observations of the local police considered that the street lighting at Eton was too bright and prevailed upon the local authority to reduce the intensity. At first the lights were turned off at night but as there was very little risk of enemy bombing at that stage of the war people asked if the street lights could be on early in the  morning. Workers on early morning shifts complained that the dark winter mornings were hazardous, with  Keates lane particularly  dangerous, it was surprising  that only one College boys had been accidentally killed. After an inspection of the street lighting the surveyor arranged for selected lights to stay on until the lighter mornings arrived. Limited lighting lasted until 20th April 1945 when the end of the blackout was announced.                   

The prospect of `Victory in Europe’ gave cause for Eton U.D.C. to discuss plans for the building of new houses in Eton Wick. The local building companies of Slough and Windsor were also considering post war construction and informed the Council that they were now able to carry out the preparation of sites and construction of houses if the necessary licenses were obtained. To quickly provide the estimated four million homes needed to replace air raid destruction and house returning servicemen and their families, some aircraft factories changed over to the manufacture of prefabricated housing. The 'Prefabs` were fitted out with all electric appliances, such as electric cooker and refrigerator and electric heating. 

This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham. 

The Story of a Village - Eton Wick by Judith Hunter - Chapter 1

A village is born.

How Eton Wick got it's name

What evidence is there of Eton Wick from before written records.

Eton Wick: Anglo-Saxons and Vikings

Eton Wick: The Norman's and the Domesday Book

A short history of the Manor of Eton cum Stockdale and Colenorton.

Extracts from the Court Rolls for the Three Manors 

An event in 1391

Eton Wick in the 14th Century

Dr Judith Hunter published A Village Story - Eton Wick - 1217 to 1977 in 1977. Its publication was supported by a village fund raising event lead by Frank Bond

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - Eton Wick EC 1929

When the club was formed in 1881, home matches were played on Dorney Common, much later moving to their present home on Eton Wick Recreation Ground. 

This photo of 1929 shows the team at the front of the Village Institute (now Village Hall) long before the entrance stairs to the upper floor were covered. 

In the back row, left to right: Jess Binfield (committee member), Bert Percy, Tim Morrell, Bob Bond, Les Binfield, Archie Bryant, Bert Harman, unidentified, Ern Bryant. 

In the front row: M Porter (committee member) George Giles, Ted Watson, Bill Swabey (captain), Maurice Lane, (?) Prior, Tom Morrell. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

World War 2 Eighty Years On - August 1944

August.

After the very late spring frost of April and the beautiful summer weather of the Whitsun and August Bank Holiday’s brought an influx of visitors to Windsor and Eton. The holiday encouraged the day trippers to take to the river for boating and swimming and before the day was out the pubs were finding that the beer supplies were inadequate. 

Isolated V1's continued to fly over the district and in late August a missile fell in an orchard at Cippenham. The blast wrecked houses and brought the ceilings down at White Heather Garage, Dorney, the home of Mrs Quarterman. 

"As a Radar operator serving with 608 at Dorney, I remember this period after ‘D-Day’ as being very busy. Little sleep was had with the threat of the flying bombs, and it was difficult to know what was happening in the first few days. It called for constant vigil by the battery which was crowned with success when we managed to shoot down one of these bombs”. (Mrs. B. McCade) 

For the months of June, July and August, Windsor and Slough district had 202 alerts with a few bombs falling around the neighbourhood. The maximum number of alerts in any one day for this period was nine. Twenty-one Buzz Bombs fell in the area, three of which were in the Windsor Borough and one at Cippenham (Slough). 

V1 Doodle Bug

A fear of more air raids and V1 attacks brought an enquiry from Councillor Mr. Harding asking whether seats could be installed in the shelters at Eton Wick for the older people. This was not sanctioned as the use of the necessary materials was not warranted at that stage of the war. Reporting that the supply, fixing and waterproofing of Anderson shelters to those who had applied had been completed in Eton Wick and Somerville Road and the Surveyor replied that nothing more would be done. 

V2 Rocket

A reported case of Scarlet Fever also gave concern for the cleanliness of communal shelters and the spread of infectious deceases. 

Many public libraries in towns and cities suffered damage by air raids. To replace the destroyed books a national book drive was launched in which the village school took part. A magnificent effort by the children gave a total collection of 2,934 books and two children, who had collected over 250 books each, received a Field Marshall badge as recognition of their endeavour.

This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham. 

Eton Wick History Group Talk - The Miracle of Bletchley Park with Gillian Cane - 31st July 2024

 

This the third talk of the History Group's 2024 series. The talks schedule can be found by clicking on this link along with a list of all the talks since the foundation of the Group in 1992.

Photographic History of Eton Wick and Eton - Community Organisations and Social Life - The Shoestrings

The 'Shoestrings' The Eton Wick Variety Group were reformed in 1962 as the 'Shoestrings' to raise funds for the Village Hall extension. They staged variety shows annually until 1971, some of them skits on contemporary T.V. shows, including 'That Was the Wick That Was’, 'Christmas Crackers' (1964), 'Licence to Laugh' (1965), 'Through the Rainbow' (in 19n-with ex Victoria Palace Black and White Minstrels Penny Rigden and Alan Hollidge 'Summer Interlude' (1967), 'It's here' (1970) and finally 'Starella Fantasy' in 1971. 

The group performed in many venues. Comedy sketches were written by Albert Bond, Sid Eyre and Sid Gomm. 

In this picture from 'Through the Rainbow' in 1966 are, back row, left to right: Kay Thompson, Sandra Ling, Rene Thompson, Sandra Wells, Jacquie Tickle (daughter of Francis in the photo of the Eton Wick Unity Players), and Caryl Cullum. In the middle are Jane Harper and Gail Groves. In the front: Susan Bond, Leslie Chadd, Jillian Bowyer and Denise Fogarty. 

This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.

World War 2 Eighty Years On - June & July 1944

Tuesday June 13th

The attack by V1's, known as Doodle Bugs commenced, having been launched from the Pas de Calais area of occupied France.  At 5am on June 15th. a V1. fell on the Bells of Ousley at Old Windsor. The explosion, heard over a very wide area, was quickly reported and brought the Civil Defence Services rapidly to the scene.  Police sealed off the area so the rescue services, under their supervisor Templeman, could work without hindrance from spectators.  Most of the hotel was destroyed and surrounding property severely damage. Within a short time some were rescued alive from under the debris but more were known to be trapped under the rubble. A second rescue party that had been called for found two more, unfortunately both dead. Among the injured was a three year old boy. On arrival the Rescue Squads found scattered among the debris many pound notes and pieces of the V1.  Twenty four hours later the policeman on duty at the site was appalled to hear another bomb approaching on the same line and as its engine cut out, he threw himself to the ground.  On losing power the V1. banked and dived across the river to explode in Wraysbury. Considerable damage was done to many houses, two people lost their lives and others injured.  

Saturday July 1st.

During the afternoon a flying bomb was seen and heard coming from the direction of Slough to pass over towards Windsor.  Within a very short time an explosion was heard as the bomb  hit the chimney of the Windsor Corporation dust destructor in Kentons Lane. Many houses were damaged but no deaths, although many were injured by flying glass. Blast shattered windows at Edward Woolhouse’s cycle shop in the Eton Wick. Royal Navy Artificer  P.O. Frederick Lamb from Sunderland remembered the incident as follows:-

He  was put with a draft from Portsmouth at 5 o’clock in the morning on June 6th 1944 not knowing whence they were bound. His thoughts at that time were of going across the channel with the invasion forces but they were told on reaching Waterloo Station that their destination was the Slough Government Training Centre, and they would be billeted in Windsor. He considered he was lucky, had they gone the other way, who knows what the outcome might have been. 

“After a hectic struggle to get  across from Waterloo to the station for Windsor with all our gear we arrived on Saturday at Windsor. Another artificer  and me had to go on our way to the Police Station to collect a double bunk bed and take it with us along with our kit bags, suit cases, hammocks and tool boxes.  Eventually we were dropped off at a house near to a Pub.  The  family with whom we were billeted, a husband and wife with young girls had a small  upstairs room for us.  We carried our gear to the room and then assembled the double bunk bed.  On the Monday morning we caught the train to Slough to work at the Government Training Centre on shifts from 2—10 one week, 6—2 the following week which brought us to July 1st. . The house was partially destroyed , roof windows etc. I think we were taken to a school , the lady there said they would put us up there for the time being and showed  me to a mattress on the floor which was screened off.  On wakening the next morning I could hear babies crying and women talking.  Having dressed, I prepared to leave but  at the door  enquiries were made as to the my relatives and I explained that I was only billeted in the house.  

Arriving at the Training Centre The Chief Petty Officer  said “You are adrift, Captain’s report” to be charged with absent without leave." 

Having  explained my absence the  charge was dismissed. Leave to find transport to Windsor  and retrieve my gear. On arriving at the billet, it appeared the house was about to cave in any minute and I was faced with getting my gear out by myself as the driver  was not going to risk his life.  Having got my tools, hammock ,cases etc. I then set about finding a fresh billet. I finished the course and went to H.M.S Wildfire.”  

WRNS were also taught engineering trades such as welding, machining, wood working at the Slough Government Training Centre passing out as ship mechanic(LC)  for the repair of landing craft.

Wednesday July 10th. 

The Flying bombs brought new fears of destruction and as a precaution against fire raids a demonstration on dealing with  phosphorous bombs was arranged by Mr S. Romoff, the Council Fire  Officer. This was held at Woodley’s Yard in Tangier Lane, Eton, being  well attended by residents of Eton and Eton Wick.

This is an extract from Round and About Eton Wick: 1939 - 1945. The book was researched, written and published in 2001 by John Denham.