This is a page within the www.staffshomeguard.co.uk website. To see full contents, go to SITE MAP.

MEMORIES AND INFORMATION - STAFFORDSHIRE HOME GUARD  25th STAFFORDSHIRE (BREWOOD) BATTN. and Cpl. HERBERT ANDERSON ***** - MAGNIFIED GROUP IMAGE - - LIFE IN BREWOOD IN WW2 -

This page of the website provides:  - MAGNIFIED GROUP IMAGE: a magnified version of the Brewood Home Guard image contained in the main Brewood page; - LIFE IN BREWOOD IN WW2:  further fragments of information about life is the village in the period 1939-1945).   MAGNIFIED GROUP IMAGE

(Click on image to return to main Brewood/Herbert Anderson page)

**********

Whilst in some respects life after the outbreak of WW2 went on in Brewood much as it always had done, the impact on the village of the outbreak of war in September 1939 was very significant, as it was throughout the country. In this section, there is a selection of transcribed newspaper reports relating to Brewood in those years - only a fraction of what is available – showing how war affected the lives of local residents in various ways. It includes mention of the Home Guard (which operated within the village between May 1940 and December 1944) and other services relating to the conflict. > (Those relating to the Home Guard are highlighted; and events in the outside world are also indicated). < 1939   January-July Anderson air-raid shelters start to be issued. Conscription introduced for all men of ages 20-21.   August ..... In the last weeks of peace, life in most ways goes on as usual in Brewood ..... The Brewood and District Agricultural Society held its 33rd annual exhibition at Somerford Park on Monday and, as in previous years, the event attracted a huge holiday crowd. The weekend improvement in the weather was maintained and, as is invariably the case, the show opened in delightful sunshine.... This year the show was held under the presidency of Mrs T A W Giffard, whose husband is chairman of the Society........ (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 12 August 1939) 23rd: Germany and the U.S.S.R. sign a non-aggression pact. 24th: Military reservists are called up and the A.R.P. is put on alert. 31st: Thousands of British children start to be evacuated from cities into safer areas as the threat of war looms - "The First Evacuation". September 1st: Germany invades Poland. 3rd: Great Britain declares war on Germany. 5th: President Roosevelt declares U.S. neutrality. 17th: The USSR invades eastern Poland in accordance with a secret pact with Germany. Children evacuated from Walsall included 113 to Brewood, 101 to Penkridge, 62 to Wheaton Aston, 41 to Coven and 28 to Dunston, near Stafford (of whom two, 8 and 11-year-old brothers, Thomas and Henry Kirk, absconded on their day of arrival and walked unaccompanied the 15 miles back to their home in Walsall). In a statement Mr VJ Moore (evacuation officer for Walsall) said: "Evacuation is on a purely voluntary basis, but no child can come home unless he runs away. We cannot keep them under guard as if they were in prison. It is something done for their benefit and we hope they will stay. If children come home we shall not send them back again". (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 9 September 1939) October CARE FOR EVACUATED CHILDREN Clothing Provided By Temporary Foster-Mothers Appreciation of the way householders in the Cannock rural district had received and done their utmost to welcome and care for evacuees – in some cases under almost heartbreaking conditions – was expressed by Mr J T H Hall (sanitary inspector) in a report to Cannock Rural Council on Tuesday. "I know several instances where the children have been almost entirely reclothed by the householder", he said. Early in September, 431 children and 77 adults were received and distributed in the parishes of Lapley, Dunston and Acton, Penkridge, Brewood and Coven and since then 148 children and 37 adults had returned whence they had come. Cleanliness of a considerable number of the evacuees left a great deal to be desired, and in consequence the difficulty of billeting was greatly increased, causing much trouble to willing helpers who assisted in the work. "As the habits of some of the children were so bad it became necessary to change the billets because householders would not permit them to remain" continued Mr Hall. As a result of these difficulties his department had been put to a large amount of extra work. In addition, frequent visits had to be made to the houses to adjust and decide on many points in dispute. Children remaining in the area now were becoming used to their new surroundings, and if parents could be prevented from visiting them during weekends and disturbing them, they would be contented. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday7 October 1939) November An uneasy calm descends on Great Britain - "The Phoney War".  About 1.5 million men will have been conscripted into the armed forces by the end of the year. WOMEN'S INSTITUTE The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday – owing to the blackout – in the afternoon. A demonstration was given by Mrs Keirlie entitled "Two Toys" and the County instructor gave hints on physical fitness. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 11 November 1939) RED CROSS As their first month's contribution, the Red Cross working party were able to forward to the supply depot a parcel containing 75 garments including a contribution from the Women's Institute of 28 garments including socks, mittens etc. If it is not possible for helpers to come to the weekly meetings, Mrs Legg, Dean Street, will be pleased to give patterns and materials to anyone wishing to help. The third of the series of whist drives arranged by Mrs Moorhouse on behalf of the Red Cross, took place at the Old Smithy House on Tuesday. The prizewinners were: Mrs F Moorhouse, Miss D Jenkinson, Mrs Jenkinson and Miss N Adams. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 11 November 1939) DART PLAYERS PAY UP Dart players in the various licensed houses are now doing their bit for the troops. Any player scoring 10 or under is now to pay a penny and as a result of this and other efforts, the three Stirrups Hotel has been able to send 1000 cigarettes to local men serving with the forces. The Bridge Inn has been able to send a dart board. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 11 November 1939) BEST EVER The Poppy Day collection for Brewood, Bishop's Wood and Stretton reached £28 0s 6d. In 1938 the amount was £21 17s 3d, and the result speaks well for the enthusiasm of Mr T Whitehouse (secretary, local British Legion), the organiser, and his willing workers. (Stafford Advertiser Saturday 23 November 1940) December SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT A well attended entertainment provided by the children of Brewood Convent School was given in the Jubilee Hall. The arrangements were made by the Convent Sisters and the proceeds were divided between the Red Cross and the Brewood WVS Knitting Fund. The entertainment included a fairy comedy and two nativity plays. During the intervals various dances were given and altogether 30 children took part in the entertainment. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 16 December 1939) BRITISH LEGION At the annual meeting, the Secretary (Mr T Whitehouse) reported a credit balance of £32 18s 10d and a membership of 64 (a record for the branch). Officials were elected as follows: President, Mr C O Langley; Chairman Mr J Sales; Vice-chairman Mr W Webb; Treasurer Mr S Doughty; Secretary Mr T Whitehouse. The British Legion and the WVS will send comforts and cigarettes to all local men serving with HM forces and to provide funds. Mr W Webb arranged a concert in the Jubilee Hall on Monday. About 200 attended and the O.K. Optimists Concert Party gave a good programme. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 9 December 1939) 1940   January January/February: Rationing begins in Great Britain. Conscription is extended to the ages 20 - 27. A large proportion of evacuated children have now returned to their homes. January is a particularly cold month in the U.K. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS One of the objectors who appeared before the Midland Conscientious Objectors' tribunal at Birmingham on Monday was Kenneth Oakland Goodwin of 11 Queens Hill Avenue Stafford who based his objection on "Christian grounds" ...... Leslie Samuel Martin, electrical wire-man, Coven Road, Brewood, was granted exemption by the Tribunal on Wednesday on condition that he continued with his work. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 20 January 1940) February WHIST DRIVES A whist drive and dance arranged by Miss N Adams took place in the Jubilee Hall on behalf of the Comforts Fund. Mr J Mottram was MC and Mrs VS Gosling presented the prizes to Mrs M Wakelam, Miss C Daw, Mrs Hale, Mr C Price, Mr F Adams and Mr J Morris. A whist drive arranged by Mrs F Moorhouse on behalf of the Red Cross and the Comforts Fund took place on Tuesday at the Old Smithy House. Mr F Moorhouse was MC and the prizewinners were Mrs F Smith, Miss B Norcup, Mrs P Hale and Mr F Fallon. A similar function was held in the Institute, Bishops Wood on Tuesday in aid of the Comforts Fund. Mr Francis was MC and the prizewinners were Mrs Myatt, Miss E Alcock, Mr F Barnacle and Mr D Taylor. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 24 February 1940) March WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs A M Archer presided at a meeting in the Old Schools when Mrs T Freshwater gave an instructive demonstration on wartime cookery. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 March 1940) ARP WORKERS A meeting of ARP, AFS and casualty workers was held on Friday. Mr W H Davies (district chief warden) presided and said that while each section had received separate training, he thought the time ripe to draw them together for closer collaboration. Miss L Wibberley (leader of the casualty workers) gave a resumé of the work of the casualties service and said they had a 24 hours service available. Mr S Doughty spoke of the work of firefighting and said they now had equipment to meet any eventuality. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 March 1940) April 9th: Germany attacks Norway and Denmark.   CIVIL DEFENCE Mr J Swales (Head Warden) presided at a meeting of civil defence workers at the Three Stirrups Hotel and said he would like to see them all get together at some local festivity so that they would get to know each other better. A committee was formed to arrange this and met on Monday. Mr W Webb was elected chairman, Miss L Wibberley secretary and Mr S Frost Treasurer. A whist drive and dance was arranged to take place on April 26th. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 6 April 1940) PARISH CHURCH The Easter vestry meeting took place on Tuesday when the Vicar, the Rev C Broughton Thompson, MA) said the hopes of building a new Church school had to be put on one side with the coming of war. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 6 April 1940) CAPTAIN'S OBE Captain George Dennant Simpson of the SS Egba, who is well-known to residents of Brewood and Stretton, has been awarded the OBE for coolness and resource in effectively replying to the fire of an enemy submarine. Mr Simpson, as a boy, attended Brewood and Stretton school. His mother was headmistress of Stretton school and his father was organist at the church. Captain Simpson received the declaration for his skilful handling of his ship when it was attacked by a submarine off Madeira in November. As soon as the submarine was sighted about a mile away, Captain Simpson laid a smokescreen and steered a zigzag course. Five shots were fired at the Egba but the ship was undamaged. Captain Simpson replied to the fire and after a number of shots the conning tower was seen to be struck. The submarine submerged and was not seen again. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 6 April 1940) May 10th: The German Army and Luftwaffe attack Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister. 12 - 16th: Thousands of aliens are interned. 13th: The second evacuation of children starts from vulnerable areas and continues into July. 14th: Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden, broadcasts to the nation announcing the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers and enrolment starts immediately. 27th: Evacuation of B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Dunkirk starts 28th: Belgium surrenders WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs Cooper presided at the monthly meeting of the Coven WI...... more comforts had been sent to the Coven men serving in HM Forces, Mrs Cooper told the members..... (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 18 May 1940) June 1st: All signposts which might be helpful to parachutists landing in Britain are taken down. 4th: Evacuation from Dunkirk ends with 340,000 British and French soldiers safely reaching Southern England, but without their arms.  Fighting continues in France. 8th: The last Allied troops withdraw from Norway after the unsuccessful attempt to defend the country. 14th: Paris surrenders. 22nd: France capitulates and signs an Armistice with Germany, and with Italy on the 24th L.D.V. ON DUTY The new Local Defence, volunteers have soon got into their stride. A meeting was held on Sunday in the Jubilee Hall when the duties were explained to the volunteers and on Sunday night the patrols were out on duty. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 1 June 1940) July 9th: The Luftwaffe attacks on Great Britain begin - the start of the Battle of Britain. CHURCH PARADE A church parade of LDV, firemen, AFS, wardens, Red Cross workers, and Girl Guides was held on Sunday at the Parish Church. All sections were well represented. The service was conducted by the Vicar (the Rev C Broughton Thompson) and afterwards Colonel C Hatton spoke to the LDV and said he would not order them to do anything but who would always ask them. He knew they would always follow him. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 20 July 1940) August 8th: The Luftwaffe's heightened main offensive against Great Britain begins, prior to invasion.  ARP Mr G Wheeler, Stafford Street, is taking a 10 day course of instruction in ARP measures. Before he was selected from the Cannock rural district Mr Wheeler was on the report centre staff under Squadron leader W H Davies. Previously Mr Wheeler was deputy head warden of Brewood. ALUMINIUM Coven branch of the WVS with Mr L J Wiles (headmaster of Coven schools) and Mr and Mrs Nicholls, The Beeches, have collected over 1 cwt. of aluminium from the district in response to the recent appeal. Mrs T Freshwater (head of the Brewood section of the WVS) reports that the WVS have now collected over 9 cwt. of aluminium from Brewood, Bishop's Wood and Weston. The collectors of scrap iron and waste paper now have the use of a pony and cart to gather waste in the district. P.O.s FOR TROOPS The workers for the Coven comforts fund have now raised over £50 from various efforts in the village. This week 25 five-shilling postal orders have been sent to 25 local men serving with the forces. Brewood British Legion and WVS have this week been busy despatching comforts to local men serving with the forces. Altogether 67 parcels have been forwarded. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 3 August 1940) September AIDING RED CROSS The series of whist drives arranged by Mrs F Moorhouse on behalf of the Red Cross has been the means of raising the sum of £25 10s 3d for the funds...... (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 September 1940) GUARDSMAN PRISONER OF WAR Guardsman Kenneth Pitchford, Glengarth, McBean Road, Wolverhampton, who was reported missing, has now written to his parents from hospital in Germany where he is a prisoner of war. He joined the Irish Guards at the start of the war and has seen service in Holland and Boulogne. He was a former scholar of Brewood Grammar School. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 September 1940) FORCES PARCELS The WGS and British Legion comforts funds committee have dispatched 115 parcels to local men serving with the forces. Each parcel contained woollen goods and a PO for 2s. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 September 1940) BRITISH LEGION The local branch of the British Legion held the annual meeting at the Three Stirrups Hotel on Monday. The Treasurer (Mr W H Davies) reported a credit balance of £45, an increase of £7 on the previous year. The 115 local men serving with the forces received regular gifts from the British Legion comforts fund amounted to £71. The president (Captain CO Langley) welcomed Colonel C Hatton (County chairman) and spoke of the good work done by the Legion. Colonel Hatton congratulated the branch on their efforts during the year. Referring to the decrease in membership he said this was happening all over the country. The present soldier would be the future ex-service man and should have a say in the planning after the war with the old hands to guide them..... (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 September 1940) PARISH COUNCIL At a meeting on Tuesday (under) the Chairman (Mr V S Gosling)..... could anything be done with regard to supplying the people of Brewood with air raid shelters? Mr F Adams asked. Mr T A Walley said that it was not practicable to provide a shelter for every person in a rural area. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 21 September 1940) BETTER THAN EXPECTED The fruit and vegetable show held in September in aid of the local comforts fund was more successful than the organisers expected. They hoped to make £10 and it is now revealed that the profit was £15 10s 7d (Staffordshire Advertiser 9 November 1940) October 24th: British Summer Time is to extend throughout the winter. 31st:  Official end of the Battle of Britain. RED CROSS FLAG DAY £7 2s 6d was realised in Brewood as a result of the recent Flag Day on behalf of the Red Cross. At Coven the collection amounted to £4 3s 2d but was augmented by a donation of £8 from the Women's Institute and 35s for the sale of Master Meredith's magic lantern, bringing the total to nearly £14. (Staffordshire Advertiser 19 October 1940) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE ..... Mrs T Freshwater gave a demonstration of slipper-making from old felt hats.... (Staffordshire Advertiser 19 October 1940) PRISONER OF WAR Mr J Wall, The Pavement, Brewood, has just received notification from the War Office that his son, Driver Joseph Wall, of the Royal Artillery, is a prisoner of war in Germany. Driver Wall was originally posted as missing and it is now believed that he was taken prisoner on June 12 at St. Valery. (Staffordshire Advertiser 19 October 1940) November 14/15th:  The Luftwaffe switches from London to other targets for its bombers, industrial centres starting with a devastating attack on Coventry. RED CROSS PARTY Brewood Red Cross working party had made 502 garments during the past six months, comprising 271 pairs of socks, 44 pairs of mittens, 22 pullovers, 62 scarves, one pair of operation stockings, five helmets, three knitted blankets, three bedspreads, 15 shirts, 69 pairs of pyjamas and seven dressing gowns. They have also sent woollen garments to the local men serving with the forces. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 30 November 1940) BRITISH LEGION The local branch of the British Legion held their annual meeting at the Three Stirrups Hotel on Monday. The secretary (Mr T Whitehouse) reported a credit balance of £38 4s 11d and mentioned that four years ago they had an overdraft of £3 16s. The 91 local men serving with the Forces received a monthly parcels from the British Legion comforts fund. Mr W Webb (chairman) disclosed that 90 percent of the members of the branch were doing national service....... (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 30 November 1940) December PARCELS FOR FORCES The WVS have this week dispatched 91 parcels to local men serving with the Forces. Each parcel contained a novel, aspirins, socks, stationery, toothpaste, Christmas card, and a two shilling postal order from the Brewood British Legion. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 14 December 1940) 1941   January CIVIL DEFENCE Brewood civil defence units held a practice on Sunday afternoon, those taking part being ARP, AFS, Home Guard and Casualty Service. An aeroplane started the proceedings by giving a spectacular display of aerobatics and power diving over the spots where parachute troops and incendiary bombs were assumed to have dropped. All services worked well and only eight minutes elapsed between the time of the casualties service receiving a report of an incident and the time they were attending the casualty. Brewood AFS took three minutes and Coven AFS seven minutes in reaching their objectives. Meanwhile the Home Guards had succeeded in "capturing" the parachute troops which were attempting to take the village. The umpires were: - ARP, Major Dobson (county sub-controller), Capt. AD Dallow, (chief warden, Penkridge), Mr F Tonks (head warden, Penkridge), Capt. J Swales, M.C., (head warden, Brewood); - AFS, Chief Officer S. R. Biggs, Section Officer FH Wakelam, Capt. CO Langley (chief AFS officer); - Home Guard, Lord Bradford and Col. C Hatton. - Messengers: Squadron-Leader WH Davies, - Casualty service, Mr Carlin (Staff Officer, First-Aid parties, Staffordshire County Council). Major Dobson, speaking to the wardens afterwards, congratulated them and made special mention of the messengers. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 18 January 1941) February GOOD WORK What can be done in a small village in providing comforts for the troops, articles for the Red Cross etc is shown in a resumé of the work of the people of Coven. During the year £104 has been raised by whist drives, jumble sales, concert, fruit and vegetable show and other means. This has been expended in donations to the Red Cross, parcels and postal orders to the Forces and gifts to men on leave after which a balance in hand of £37 is recorded. In addition to this they have made for the Red Cross and the serving men over 300 articles. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 8 February 1941) EVACUEES VISITED The Mayor and Mayoress of Margate (Ald. GP Hoare and Mrs Hoare) visited Brewood during their tour of the districts to which children from the coastal town have been evacuated. The mayor was very appreciative of the way the children had been looked after and impressed by the way in which they had settled down. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 1 March 1941) A HAPPY TOUR - MARGATE'S MAYOR IN THE MIDLANDS ........ a daughter of the Vicar of Brewood, who has four evacuees in his home, referred to the Margate children staying with them as their cousins. It was in this village that the Mayor and Mayoress met a little Birmingham girl, the only survivor of a family of seven whose home was bombed. The child is unaware of the fate of her family...... (Thanet Advertiser, Friday 28 February 1941) March YOUNG FARMERS DANCE The young farmers of the district held a successful dance in the Jubilee Hall on Friday in aid of the Red Cross. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 15 March 1941) BOMB LECTURE A lecture on incendiary bombs was given in the Council Chamber on Friday by Mr G D Wheeler, assistant ARP divisional officer. The lecture was well attended. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 15 March 1941) COMFORTS FUND CONCERT An entertainment was presented by Mr Robert Hodgson with the "Star Entertainers" Concert Party at the Jubilee Hall on Wednesday in aid of the British Legion Comforts fund and the event was a huge success.... (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 15 March 1941) April 6th: German forces invade Yugoslavia; and also Greece where they rapidly overwhelm the British forces and take complete control by 11th May. THE LATE MR J F DANIELS The death has occurred at the age of 35 of Mr John F Daniels, elder son of Mr and Mrs J Daniels, The Wharf, after being in ill health for the past 12 months. Well-known and respected throughout the district, Mr Daniels was a member of Brewood Fire Brigade and was responsible for the training of Bishops Wood AFS..... .... The mourners included...... Chief Officer S R Biggs (Penkridge Fire Brigade), Captain CO Langley (chief AFS officer) section officers AES Doughty (Brewood AFS), F Alcock (Bishops Wood AFS) and H Nicholls (Coven AFS).... (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 5 April 1941) May 15th: The establishment of a National Fire Service, combining local brigades and the A.F.S. (Auxiliary Fire Service), is announced. 24th: HMS Hood is sunk by the German battleship Bismarck. 27th: Bismarck is sunk. LESSONS FROM RAIDS Civil defence workers and members of the public attended at the Jubilee Hall for an address by Captain Colin Ross (Wardens Service, Staffordshire County Council) on "What we have learnt from the Blitz". Captain Ross who until recently was in London was thanked by the Rev. C B Broughton Thompson. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 10 May 1941) WEDDING The wedding took place on Saturday at Bushbury Parish Church of Miss Madge Cotterill Gibbins, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Gibbins, Brewood, and Mr John Perry Plant of Woodsetton. The bridegroom is a solicitor formally in practice at Smethwick but is now a member of the Royal Air Force with a fighter squadron. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 10 May 1941) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs F Evans presided at the monthly meeting on Tuesday when Miss M E Corlett gave a demonstration on the after-treatment of war gases. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 10 May 1941) WAR WEAPONS WEEK War Weapons Week commenced at Brewood on Saturday when there was a parade of police, Home Guard, AFS, ARP and WVS Casualty service. Afterwards a public meeting was held in the Jubilee Hall when Mr TAW Giffard explained the object of the week. By Tuesday we would have contributed £4425 3s 6d. On Tuesday night, Flying Officer March gave an address on German and English aircraft. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 24 May 1941) June 1st: Clothes rationing is introduced in Britain. 22nd: Germany attacks its ally, the Soviet Union, without warning. Russia thus becomes the first ally of Great Britain and the Commonwealth since mid-1940 in the fight against Nazism. ...... In celebration of the second anniversary of the creation of the Home Guard...... HOME GUARD PARADE The Lord-Lieutenant of the county, the Earl of Harrowby, took the salute in the Market Square, Brewood on Sunday after Brewood Home Guard had attended a drumhead service in the grounds of Deansfield...... July DEATH OF MR H MARSON The death occurred on Saturday of Mr Harold Marson of Shutt Green at the age of 54. When the Home Guard was formed he was one of the first to join..... The funeral took place on Tuesday at the Parish Church and many friends and members of the Home Guard attended..... Six members of the Home Guard were bearers.....A trumpeter sounded the Last Post and Reveille..... Among the mourners were... Colonel C Hatton (Battalion commanding officer), Captain C H Twigg (company officer), Captain S. Tykiffe (adjutant). (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 5 July 1941) A GOOD RESULT As a result of the recent concert given by the pupils of the Roman Catholic School under the tuition of Sister Phillips, a profit of £26 was made and this has been forwarded to the local comforts fund. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 19 July 1941) W I GARDEN FETE A garden fete was held on Saturday in the gardens of Light Ash, Coven. The event was arranged by the Coven Women's Institute and the opening ceremony was performed by Mrs R F P Monkton (Red Cross divisional organiser). Sideshows, dancing etc drew crowds of patrons and £65 was raised. Profits are to be divided between the Red Cross and Coven comforts fund. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 26 July 1941) August GOOD WORK The WVS have again dispatched over 100 parcels to local men serving with the Forces. Each parcel contained, amongst other articles, razorblades, soap, stationery and a 5s postal order from the British Legion....... What can be done by the Women's Institute in a small village in providing comforts for the troops, articles for the Red Cross etc is shown in a resumé of the work of Coven Women's Institute. The garden party held recently showed a profit of £65 11s of which £40 has been sent to the local branch of the Red Cross and £25 to Coven Comforts Fund. They have now contributed £53 to the Red Cross and £174 to Coven Comforts Fund. In addition they have made for the Red Cross and the serving men many articles for which they have organised a penny-a-week collection. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 16 August 1941) FOR MOBILE CANTEEN As a result of the recent dance arranged by Mr W Webb, a profit of £14 6s 6d has been forwarded to the fund to provide a mobile canteen for use with the Cannock Rural AFS. (Staffordshire Advertiser, 23 August 1941) September Brewood, in common with the rest of the country, on Sunday answered the Call to Prayer. Home Guards, firemen, AFS, Casualty Service and the Girl Guides attended morning service at the Parish Church. The Vicar (the Rev C Broughton Thompson) conducted the service. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 13th September 1941) PARCELS FOR FORCES The WVS comforts fund have again dispatched over 100 parcels to local men serving with the forces. Each parcel contained a woollen article, stationery, toilet soap, a novel, razorblades, toothpaste, handkerchiefs and a postal order for 2 shillings which was a gift from the local branch of the British Legion. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 27th September 1941) October ARP DANCE Brewood Casualty Service held a well-attended presentation dance in the Jubilee Hall on Friday. During the evening Captain AD Darlow (chief warden, Penkridge) introduced Mr Altree (chairman, General Purposes Committee, Cannock Rural Council) who presented the first-aid party with Saving Certificates which they had won in an inter-team competition at Penkridge. Those receiving certificates were Miss L E Wibberley (leader), Mr W Norcup, Miss M Blewitt, Mr F Downey, Miss E Norcup and Mr T Robinson. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 4th October 1941) November 27th: German Panzers are only 19 miles from Moscow. HOME GUARD SOCIAL An enjoyable social evening was held at the Jubilee Hall on Friday arranged by "A" Company, Brewood Home Guard. Mr H Cliff and party were the artists and the MCs were Mr H Cliff and Captain S Tykiff. Colonel C Hatton (Battalion commanding officer) introduced Mrs CH Twigg (wife of the company commanding officer) who distributed the prizes. CSM R Payne made the arrangements. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 29 November 1941) December 5th: Britain declares war on Finland, Hungary and Rumania. 7/8th: The Japanese attack the U.S.A. at Pearl Harbour and simultaneously attack Malaya and The Philippines. 9th: Great Britain and the U.S.A. declare war on Japan. 10th: HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse are sunk off Malaya by Japanese aerial attack. 11th: Germany declares war on the U.S.A. The war is now truly global. 18th: All men and women aged between 18 and 60 are now liable for some form of national service including military service for those under 51. This includes compulsory service in the  Home Guard in certain districts, the removal of the right of Home Guards to resign and the imposition of obligatory training and duty of 48 hours per month. 25th: Hong Kong falls to the Japanese. RECORDS BROKEN Records for attendance must have been broken at a successful whist drive and dance held on Boxing Night in the Jubilee Hall. A large number of whist players followed by many dancers made floorspace very limited. Mr J Mottram was MC and the event was arranged by Mrs W Jenkinson in aid of the local comforts fund......... (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 3 January 1942) FORCES PARCELS The WVS and British Legion comforts funds committee have dispatched 115 parcels to local men serving with the forces. Each parcel contained woollen goods and a PO for 2s. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 20 December 1941) BRITISH LEGION The local branch of the British Legion held the annual meeting at the Three Stirrups Hotel on Monday. The Treasurer (Mr W H Davies) reported a credit balance of £45, an increase of £7 on the previous year. The 115 local men serving with the forces received regular gifts from the British Legion comforts fund amounted to £71. The president (Captain CO Langley) welcomed Colonel C Hatton (County chairman) and spoke of the good work done by the Legion. Colonel Hatton congratulated the branch on their efforts during the year. Referring to the decrease in membership he said this was happening all over the country. The present soldier would be the future ex-service man and should have a say in the planning after the war with the old hands to guide them..... (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 20 December 1941) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE At the annual meeting of the Coven Women's Institute it was disclosed that during the year the Fruit Preservation Centre had made nearly 600lbs of jam. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 20 December 1941) 1942   January 15th: The Japanese Army moves into Burma. 23rd:  Those living in East Anglia are warned of the continuing possibilty of invasion, possibly in the spring. HOME GUARDS FUNDS An enjoyable dance was held in the Jubilee Hall on Friday in aid of "A" Company, Brewood Home Guard, social funds. Miss Joan Vaughan judged a competition, the winners being Miss Dawson, Mr W Dodd and Mr and Mrs G A Taylor. Colonel C Hatton (Battalion commanding officer) introduced Mrs CH Twigg (wife of the company commanding officer) who distributed the prizes. CSM R. Payne made the arrangements. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 24 January 1942) February 15th: Singapore surrenders and its huge British Garrison falls into the hands of the Japanese Army. MASTER IN NAVY Mr George Embleton, a master at Brewood Grammar School who is serving in the Royal Navy, has qualified for the rank of sub Lieutenant. Mr. Embleton joined the Navy early in the war. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 February 1942) CASUALTY SERVICE Brewood Casualty Service held a well attended dance at the Jubilee Hall on Friday. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 February 1942) March C-IN-C CEYLON Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton, who has been appointed Commander-in-Chief, Ceylon, is a brother-in-law of Mr C O Langley, Brewood, who is Borough coroner for Wolverhampton. The new commander was previously in temporary command of the Far Eastern Fleet. (Staffordshire Advertiser 21 March 1942) THE LATE MISS TELFORD The funeral took place on Wednesday, at the Roman Catholic Church, of Miss Telford who was born in Brewood and for many years kept a private school at The Poplars. Amongst the mourners was the Archbishop of Glasgow who had one time been taught by Miss Telford. Her brother was the famous engineer who made great roads, including the one from London to Holyhead and built the Aqueduct over the Watling Street. (Staffordshire Advertiser 21 March 1942) Webmaster note: It is difficult to equate the statement that Miss Telford was the sister of the late engineer Thomas Telford with the fact that the latter's lifespan was 1757-1834; and that at the time of his death it was said that he had no living relative.  Qualification of the latter comment might have explained the precise family relationship between the famous engineer and Brewood's Miss Telford. CONCERT RESULT As a result of the entertainment given by the "O K Optimists" Concert Party, Mr W Webb has been able to give the local British Legion Comforts fund £20 5s 3d (Staffordshire Advertiser 21 March 1942) WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Mrs Cooper presided at the monthly meeting of Coven WI at which members celebrated the 21st birthday of the Institute.... The Institute has been prominent in any effort for worthy causes and raised £202 for the local comforts fund. They also knit and sew for the Red Cross, run a produce and pig club and last year made a great deal of jam under the government scheme. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 28 March 1942) WARDENS' DANCE Brewood Wardens Service held a successful dance in the Jubilee Hall on Friday. There was a good attendance and a RAF orchestra provided an enjoyable programme. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 28 March 1942) April WASTED MOTOR FUEL Norman R. (19), of Bishop's Wood, Brewood, pleaded guilty at Staffordshire Borough Police Court on Monday to taking and driving away a motor lorry without the owner's consent and to wasting motor fuel. Evidence was given by PC Green that, in consequence of a complaint, he visited a café at Penkridge and there saw a lorry standing on the car park. When spoken to regarding the lorry, R. Said "the boss did not say I could not take the lorry home" Alfred Ernest Hayward, St Mary's Place, Stafford, stated that R. had been employed by him as a lorry driver since February 25th. He had not given him permission to take the lorry away. R. told magistrates that he completely forgot himself and offered the excuse that the firm for whom he had worked previously allowed him to take the wagon home every night. The Bench imposed a fine of £5 on each charge with £1 14s costs. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 4 April 1942) HELPING RUSSIA Three performances of Ralph Lynn and Tom Wall's farce "Thark" was given in the Grammar School by local people in aid of Mrs Churchill's Aid-to-Russia fund. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 4 April 1942) May 8th: The Philippines fall to the Japanese (following Hong Kong - Dec. 1941; Singapore - Feb. 1942; Rangoon - March 1942; Mandalay - April 1942). DANCES A well attended dance was held in the Jubilee Hall on Friday in aid of the local comforts fund and the hall was filled to capacity at a similar function on Whit Monday when the proceeds were for the hall funds. Both these successful efforts were arranged by Mr W Webb who acted as MC at both events. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 1 May 1942) PRESENTATION Many members of the NFS from the Western Division of the Cannock rural district gathered at the Council Chamber when Captain C O Langley of Brewood Hall, their latest divisional officer, was presented with a silver tankard as a token of appreciation of three and a half years association. Section leader H Nicholls, making the presentation, spoke of Captain Langley as a fine sportsman and gentleman with whom it was a pleasure to work. They all knew the difficulties Captain Langley had met with in building up the AFS from a small beginning to the splendid personnel of which they were all proud today. Captain Langley said the AFS in its early days depended on loyalty and friendship and these qualities he had always met with. He was now liaison officer with the Home Guard so he would still see a good deal of them but the AFS was still his first love and he would always be willing to help them. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 16 May 1942 June 7th:  The Japanese lose four aircraft carriers to the US Navy at the Battle of Midway and lose air superiority in that part of the Pacific. CIVIL DEFENCE Brewood civil defence units held a practice on Sunday afternoon, those taking part being ARP, NFS, Home Guard and Casualty Service. It was assumed that parachute troops, high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in the district and fires and casualties caused. All services worked well and good times were recorded. The "paratroops" showed initiative which was matched by the Home Guards' skill, however, very few getting through the defences. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 20 June 1942) July PLAY FOR RED CROSS The Brewood players gave a three-day presentation of the play "Death Takes a Holiday" in aid of the Red Cross. Ronald Purdy produced of the play and the cast, purely a local one, was as follows: Jeanne Asprey, John Wilson, Donald Freshwater, Margaret Leadbetter, Ida Branson, Adelaide Hawkins, Frederick Wall, Doreen Neville, Guy Newbury, Hugh Simkiss, Elizabeth Gibbs, Ronald Purdy, Alan Jell. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 11 July 1942) FLAG DAY RESULT The recent Flag Day in Brewood arranged by Mrs C Broughton Thompson and Mrs Johnston realised £11 6s 7d. (Staffordshire Adviser, Saturday 11 July 1942) PRISONER OF WAR Well-known in the district, Second-Lieutenant LTC Wilding, the 23 years old only son of Mr and Mrs CE Wilding, Anchor Inn, Coven, has been reported a prisoner of war in German hands following his capture in Africa. Lieutenant Wilding joined the army soon after the beginning of hostilities as a private and received his commission after 12 months........ (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday18 July 1942) August £21 FOR RED CROSS Dances were held in the Jubilee Hall on Saturday and Monday in aid of the hall funds. These were arranged by Mr W Webb who on Saturday night presented Mrs R F P Monckton (divisional organiser for the Red Cross) with £21 for the Red Cross Prisoner of War Fund, the result of dances held previously. (Staffordshire Advertiser, 8 August 1942) DEFENCE PRACTICE Civil defence units from Brewood and Coven held a practice on Sunday afternoon, those taking part being ARP, NFS, Rescue Parties, Home Guard, Casualty Service, WVS. It was assumed that parachute troops, high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in the district and fires and casualties caused. The paratroops were allowed to penetrate into the village making it necessary to evacuate all services which was successfully accomplished, nothing being left for the "enemy". (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 15 August 1942) RAF WARRANT OFFICER The death has been announced of Warrant Officer Ronald Saunders, RAF, as a result of a fatal accident which, it is believed, occurred while on duty. An old boy of Brewood Grammar School, Warrant Officer Saunders was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs F Saunders, Newport Street, Brewood. Always keen on aviation he joined the RAF four years previous to the war. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 29 August 1942) POOLED TRANSPORT In order to reduce consumption of fuel, to make a cut in manpower and reduce transport, schemes for the retail delivery of goods in Brewood district commence on September 1. No delivery of meat will be made unless a customer is more than one and a half miles from the shopping centre of Brewood. Other trades will only deliver parcels over 14lbs in weight or over one cubic foot in size and the deliveries will be made by pooled transport. (Staffordshire Advertiser Saturday 29 August 1942) September COMFORTS FUND EFFORTS ..... There was a large attendance at the civil defence and Home Guard sports on Saturday in aid of the comforts fund. Mrs Dunkley performed the opening ceremony and Mrs P W Bailey distributed the prizes..... (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 5 September 1942) SPORTS At the Brewood Civil Service, local services and Brewood Home Guard sports on Saturday in aid of the Brewood Comforts Fund, first prize winners included M Snape, R Bray, H Simkiss, G Horne, J Davies, K Hunt, J Onion, T Hall, G Freeman, C Franks, Mrs H Barton, C Wooley, D Freshwater, C Bethell, P Bill, W Smith, ATC team, casualty team, Home Guard team. CSM R Payne carried out the secretarial duties. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 5 September 1942) October DRIVE FOR METAL Brewood is taking part in the drive for non-ferrous scrap metal that is being carried out in most parts of the country. The drive, which commenced on Monday, continues for 14 days and is carried out by WVS depots established at Mrs Sanderson, Dean Street; Mrs W Evans, Kiddedore Green Road; Mrs Cheshire, Shop Lane. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 24 October 1942) WEDDING The wedding took place at York on Friday of Sergeant Betty Medovnik, ATS, of Paddington, London and Company Sergeant-Major Instructor Gerald Gibbs, elder son of Mr and Mrs W Gibbs, Market Square, Brewood. The bridegroom is an old boy of Brewood grammar school and before the war was a schoolteacher. He is an all-round sportsman and plays cricket for Brewood Cricket Club. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 24 October 1942) November 4th: The British Eighth Army defeats Rommel and his army at El Alamein. One of the longest parades ever seen in Brewood assembled on Sunday when the local company of the Home Guard led, followed by Girl Guides, Wardens, Rescue and Casualty Service, WVS, NFS, ATC, GTC and Boy Scouts. The parade was marshalled byCaptain S Tykiffe. The Parish Church, the bells of which were rung, was filled to overflowing and the service was conducted by the Rev C B Broughton Thompson (Vicar of Brewood). Units of the various services placed wreaths on the war memorial. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 21 November 1942) December 23rd: The ringing of church bells will be permitted before noon on Christmas Day; but the general ban remains in place. COMFORTS FUND A successful whist drive and dance held on Boxing Night in the Jubilee Hall was arranged by Mrs W Jenkinson who acted as MC and Mrs F Moorhouse and was in aid of the local comforts fund. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 January 1943) WEDDING The wedding took place at Brewood Parish Church of Miss Joyce Mary Mottram, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Mottram, Dean Street, Brewood To Sergeant-Pilot Ernest George Bell of Newbury. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 January 1943) MARRIAGE OF MISS GIFFARD The marriage took place on Tuesday at St Mary's and Saint Chad's, Brewood, of Captain Airey Middleton Sheffield Neave, Royal Artillery, and Miss Diana Josceline Barbara Giffard, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Giffard, Chillington Hall. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 January 1943) (Lt-Col. Airey Neave had previously been a prisoner-of-war and had become the first officer to escape from Colditz; he was a lawyer and later Member of Parliament and became a close colleague and confidant of Margaret Thatcher. He was murdered by the IRA within the precincts of the Houses of Parliament in 1979). 1943 As Brewood enters 1943, life continues much as previously with significant effort devoted to fund-raising activities, just as it has been ever since the outbreak of war more than three years previously. These activities are undertaken by several organisations, not least the WVS and the Women's Institute, and benefit many causes close to the heart of Brewood residents, especially funds to offer comfort to servicemen including prisoners-of-war. This summary of life in Brewood omits further reports of this type from this date onwards even though all the activity continues: we concentrate on the impact of the war on individuals in Brewood against a background of world events. January WEDDING At Brewood Parish Church on Monday the wedding took place of Miss Molly J Barnes of Codsall and Mr Edwin T White, only son of Mr and Mrs Edwin White, Hyde Farm, Brewood. The bridegroom, an old boy of Brewood Grammar School, is a member of the Brewood Home Guard. His father, Mr E White, well-known in the district, is a member of the Staffordshire War Agricultural Committee. The bride is a member of Brewood Casualties Service, civil defence. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 9 January 1943) 31st:  General von Paulus surrenders the remnants of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. February   March Home Guard membership peaks at 1,793,000. April UNLICENSED PIG KILLING A warning that people must not kill pigs until they are sure of getting the necessary licence was given by a Ministry of Food inspector, Joseph Wilde, when prosecuting at Penkridge Police Court on Monday for unlicensed killings. "Any applications for licences to slaughter pigs are refused" he added. James H., The Dell, Bishop's Wood was ordered to pay £6 12s. In fines and costs for slaughtering two pigs for human consumption and causing to others to be slaughtered without licences. Francis W. of Milhouse Farm, Wheaton Aston, had to pay £6 18s. fines and costs on three summonses for slaughtering without licences. H. Pleaded that he did not know he should have had licences and W.'s excuse was that he "took it for granted" the necessary licence would be issued. Two of the offences alleged against weate related to the slaughtering of pigs belonging to John D. of Peace Hay Farm, Bishop's Wood, and John B. of Lapley. As D. And B. did not answer summonses against themselves, warrants were issued for their arrest. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 24 April 1943) May 13th: Final total victory by the British and American armies in North Africa. PRESENTATION Section-Leader H L Barton who is leaving the district after a two-year association with the NFS was on Monday presented with a pair of pipes in case and a tobacco pouch as a mark of appreciation from the members of his area. The presentation was made by Fireman R. Alcock who spoke of the amount of work put in by Section-Leader Barton. Column Officer R. A. Lacey also praised and thanked Section-Leader Barton. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 1 May 1943) ..... In celebration of the third anniversary of the creation of the Home Guard..... Wing Commander West took the salute in the Market Square, Brewood, when the 25th Staffordshire (Brewood) Home Guard attended a drumhead service at Deansfield. The service was conducted by the Rev E P St. John (senior chaplain to the RAF) and the Vicar of Brewood (the Rev C B Broughton Thompson). After the service a demonstration was given of battle drill, bayonet fighting, camouflage and sub-artillery firing. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 22 May 1943) June ATS GIRL'S COOLNESS When a sea-front billet was wrecked in an East Anglian sneak raid last month, killing 26 ATS, Private Norcup was cleaning a car. This week she was commended in orders by General Sir Frederick Pile, GOC-in-C Anti-Aircraft Command for "setting a fine example of coolness and courage and carrying out her duties without a sign of nervousness". Private Norcup, a domestic servant before the war, is the elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W Norcup, Dean Street, Brewood. Yesterday morning Lady Baden Powell visited the Guides and Scouts camp at Beaudesert, Cannock Chase and attended the Wolverhampton rally in the afternoon. Here she presented a silver cross to Betty Norcup, a Staffordshire Loan Ranger, awarded for gallantry during an air raid on an ATS camp on the east coast. On May 11 last bombs were dropped on the billet which formed the headquarters of the anti--aircraft brigade to which Private Norcup was attached. A special friend was killed and there were only five survivors of the contingent, including Private Norcup..... After pinning on the medal, the Chief Guide called for three cheers for Private Norcup..... (Birmingham Daily Post, Monday 20 September 1943 ) July 10th:  Allied forces invade Sicily. 15th:  The German offensive in Kursk ends in failure following the biggest tank battle in history. August   September 3rd: British landings in Italy, followed by further landings on 9th.  8th:  The Italian surrender is announced but Germany immediately assumes control of the country. October /December   1944   January The battle for Cassino begins in Italy and the Allies land at Anzio, south of Rome. February   March WEDDING The wedding took place on Saturday at Gailey Parish Church of Miss Elsie Prudence Roberts, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Roberts, South View, Crateford, Brewood and Colour-Sergeant Albert Walter Bishop of Hackney. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 25 March 1944) April WEDDING The wedding took place at Brewood Parish Church on Saturday of Bombardier Hyla Harcourt Roberts, RA, eldest son of Mr and Mrs George Roberts, School Road, Brewood and Miss Joan Catliff Pidcock of Essington...... Mr D Roberts, RAF, (brother of bridegroom) was best man. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 22 April 1944) May 14th:  Fourth anniversary of the founding of the Home Guard. 27th: Residents of Brewood are informed when and where they can collect their latest issue of Ration Book: (Parish Council Room, Stafford Street - June 26-30, between 2 and 5.30 p.m., not Saturdays). June 5th:  Allied troops enter Rome. 6th: D-Day - Allied forces land in Normandy. July 20th: An attempt on Hitler's life fails. August 15th:  Allied forces land in the South of France. 25th:  Paris is liberated. September 8th:  The first V2 rocket lands on London. V1 "Doodlebugs" have been falling for many weeks. 17th: "Operation Market Garden", the airborne assault to capture Rhine bridges, is initially successful but eventually fails at Arnhem. Disappointed by two chases after what turned out to be friendly aeroplanes, a Staffordshire night fighter crew were returning to their base one night recently when they saw a third aircraft. It didn't turn out to be friendly and in a very short time a Do 217 went crashing to earth in Brittany - another enemy night raider to add to the already large total downed over France since D-Day by the County of Middlesex Squadron. 22-year-old Flying Officer R T Wood of Walsall, the successful pilot, is on his second operational tour and has already shot down one Hun raider over France and probably destroyed another...... Flying Officer Roy Leafe, whose home address is Strangleford Birch, Brewood, is Flying Officer Wood's navigator. Close on 30 years old, he was educated at Swanwick Hall and Peterhouse, Cambridge and was a schoolmaster before the war. Although he and Wood have flown together for a long time, Leafe was unlucky enough through sickness not to share in Wood's other kills and this is his first success. (Rugeley Times, Saturday 23 September 1944) October/ November December 3rd: The Home Guard stands down. 16th: German forces break through the Allied lines in the Ardennes, halting the relentless Allied advance. AWARDED M.M. Sergeant Dennis Brookes, Coldstream Guards, has been awarded the Military Medal. The citation reads: "On August 1st 1944 in front of St. Martin de Besaces, Sergeant Brooks showed magnificent personal courage and offensive spirit as platoon sergeant. He personally attacked a number of the enemy in the open using every available weapon, killing a German officer and others in single combat and leading the hand-to-hand fighting generally. Later, while his platoon was taking up a fire position behind the bank, Sergeant Brookes stood in front of it spraying the oncoming enemy with a Bren gun, firing from the hip and inflicting such casualties that the enemy withdrew. Sergeant Brookes's work of an administrative nature was as outstanding as his gallantry in the field". Sergeant Brookes was later wounded and returned to England but is now fit again.   (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 2 December 1944) (There is no indication in the report of where in Brewood Sgt. Brookes lives). 1945   January The Russians cross the German border and enter East Prussia; and the Allied counter-offensive in the Ardennes force the Germans back to their border. February 4th:  Belgium is liberated and the Russians are 50 miles from Berlin. March 7th - 23rd: The Allies cross the Rhine 27-29th: The last V1 and V2s fall on London. LEGION OFFICIAL'S DEATH The funeral took place at Willenhall yesterday of Mr V E Holt of Brewood, Hon. Secretary of South Staffordshire County Committee of the British Legion for 12 years, a member of the Royal Observer Corps and quartering commandant for the military authorities at Lichfield and Stoke-on-Trent. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 24 May 1945) April 28th:  Captain Tykiffe (Home Guard) and Mrs. Tykiffe celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary. 29th:  Hitler commits suicide. May 7th:  Unconditional surrender of all German armed forces. 8th: Formal end to the war in Europe - V.E. Day June 6th: The campaign in Burma is effectively over, with the Japanese ejected from the country. WEDDING The wedding took place at Holy Trinity Church, Knightsbridge, London, on Friday of Squadron-Leader Reginald G Pickford of Tettenhall (formerly of Somerford Grange, Brewood) and Captain Joyce Davies, RAMC, of Purley. The bridegroom, who was educated at Brewood Grammar School and Saint Catherine's College, Cambridge, was house surgeon at University College Hospital for some time. He joined the RAF in 1941 and is now stationed at the RAF Hospital, Ely. The bride, who is 25, has recently taken her MRCP and is at present at Aldershot. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 16 June 1945) July 5th:  The liberation of the entire Philippines is announced. 6th:  Attlee succeeds Churchill as Prime Minister. BREWOOD SERGEANT IN HONOURS LIST Sergeant D F Jones, RASC, of High Green, Brewood, was awarded in the Kings birthday honours list a certificate for good service. Before volunteering for the army he was head cashier at the Westminster Bank's Wolverhampton Branch. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 14 July 1945) August 6th: The first atomic bomb destroys Hiroshima.   ...... and on the same day, August Bank Holiday Monday, life in Brewood slowly starts to return to a new normality.......  BREWOOD SHOW REVIVAL     Popular Bank Holiday Event The Brewood and District Agricultural Society are this year reviving their annual show which will be held at Somerford Park, Brewood on Bank Holiday Monday under the presidency of Mrs E M Vaughan. The profits will go to the British Red Cross Agriculture Fund. (Staffordshire Advertiser, Saturday 7 July 1945) (The show is deemed a spectacular success with an attendance of about 40,000. Thousands arrived by train and bus at Four Ashes and the officials in charge of the entrances and car parking facilities were almost unable to cope with the situation. Cars travelling nose to bumper blocked the narrow road from Four Ashes to the ground and long before midday the line of traffic stretched for about a mile along the main Stafford-Wolverhampton road. See the Staffordshire Advertiser of Saturday 11th August 1945 in which a very detailed report of the event is contained). 8th:  A second atomic bomb falls on Nagasaki. 14th: The war against Japan ends with total surrender. 15th: V.J. Day.   WW2 is over and the sons - and some daughters - of Brewood will start to return home to a post-war life.....

Acknowledgements Please see the main page for acknowledgements to Mr. Mike Buckless, Mr. Paul Holt and the staffspasttrack website. Grateful acknowledgement is also made to the British Newspaper Archive, the source of much of the information on this page.

**********