1938 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1930-1939
08 Jan 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Longfield Hill Recreation Ground. Messrs D & K Woodward have removed requirement that cricket club should have first refusual, as it was holding up the sale. (2) Fire Brigade. PC not interested in Dartford RDC scheme as they think they are adequately protected against fire.
Dartford Rural District Council
(1) "Mr Walter Wright, Longfield, again raised the question of the making up onf Kent Road, Longfield, and complained that people were walking about with mud up to their knees. The clerk said that a contract was ready for execution as soon as the loan had been sanctioned." Improvements to Fawkham Bottom Road "could not be postponed" cost £4,176. (2) Council concerned about proposals for a South Orbital Road in the Darent Valley to link up with the Dartford Tunnel approach road, on the grounds of preservation of a beautiful part of the countryside and green belt." [An early proposal for what would become the M25]
Passing of Old Resident
Funeral at Longfield of Harriet Seager, 85, who had lived many years at Mabel Cottages [Main Road], but for last few months had to live with daughter at Crayford due to ill health. Member of Mothers' Union and Women's Meeting, took part in recent Coronation procession. "respected by everyone" and died on New Year's Day.
15 Jan 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley WI
AGM. 108 members. New Guild of Gardeners and Food Producers formed by Mrs Gates. Institute banner designed by Miss Robertson is nearing completion.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Burial Ground. Mr and Mrs Groom or Hartley Manor have offered 1¼ acres of Foxborough free of charge, but expressed wish for a plot for a family grave. (2) Footpath from Church Road to Ash Road said to in a "disgraceful state".
22 Jan 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Former Hartley Builder's Discharge from Bankruptcy
"Archibald Robson and Edgar Holman, who had traded as builders at Hartley, applied to Judge A F Clements at Rochester County Court on Wednesday for their discharg from bankruptcy. The Official Receiver (Mr F C Wells) said that Robson and Holman commenced business in 1922 and traded until 1935, and so fare as he could see theirs was a straightforward bankruptcy. They had a turnover of between £600 and £900 and entered into a contract for £2,000 which brought about their failure. A dividend of 18s 7d in the £ had been paid. Robson was bankrupt in 1912 and discharged in 1914, but so far as Holman was concerned he could find no facts against him. Both men were now working as building operatives. Discharge was granted subject to a month's suspension in each case."
[Robson was a builder at Southfleet in 1912]
Villagers Reject Recreation Ground Scheme
"A Longfield Parish Meeting on Wednesday turned down a proposal of the Parish Council to buy land at Longfield Hill for a recreation ground at a cost of £875, and instructed the council to seek smaller sites at Longfield Hill and in the centre of the village. The meeting was largely attended.
Mr A G Letchford (chairman of the council) said that if the land were purchased it would probably mean a 1½d rate. It was not the Council's intention to lay out the ground elaborately. Opposition to the schme was led by Mr W Wright, representative of the parish on Dartford RDC, who said that if cricket were permitted on the ground, it would bd dangerous for children to play there. He said the proposed price was ridiculous and pointed out that Longfield had more loans outstanding than any parish of its size in Kent. Longfield rates were already 4d above those of Hartley and 5d above those of Southfleet. 'If you give this price fo rthe land you will be bleeding the ratepayers,' he declared, 'and will send people out of the parish.' Mr Letchford said that no decision had been reached as to whether Longfield Hill CC could use the ground if purchased.
Canon Parker (Rector of Longfield) said that a recreation ground was needed primarily to keep children off the roads. He would be opposed to any cricket club having a claim on it. Mr A Adams (clerk to the council) said that for years there had been peace in Longfield, but if one end of the parish had a recreation ground and the other did not, there would no longer be peace. Already there was a recreation ground at Whitehill. Mr Wright moved that the proposed purchase of the land be not entertained, and after this had been carried, propositions that the council look for smaller recreation grounds at Longfield Hill and in the centre of the village were moved by Canon Parker and Mr A Longhurst respectively."
29 Jan 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
League of Nations Union
Meeting and social attended by 70. Mr J Keyser (secretary of Sevenoaks branch) "spoke on the grave situation in the world today asking his audience to have faith in the league and support it by every possible means."
05 Feb 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
His last Tour of the Farm he Loved
Funeral at Swanscombe of William White, 63, of 4 Barnsfield, Bean. "According to his own wish and ancient tradition, his remains were borne around the land at Bean which he loved and which he has farmed for 26 years...."
Dartford Rural District Council
(1) Kent County Council has written to the Ministry of Transport, recommending 30mph speed limit for Longfield to Hartley Road. (2) Walter Wright again raised issue of council houses at Longfield without electricity (or gas) when wires have gone past them for 5 years.
12 Feb 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Coronation trees, 6 donated by Bermondsey Borough Council planted on Hartley Green, 3 donated by parishioners planed on Hartley Court Green. (2) Footpath between Gun Station and Parsonage Cottages overgrown. (3) Overhanging hedge in Church Road near bus stop.
Longfield Parish council
(1) Recreation Ground. A E Potter suggested Rectory Meadow as a site, council agreed to ask the Ecclesiastical Commissioners if they would sell it. They will also ask D and K Woodward if they will drop the price of the Longfield Hill site. (2) Precepts for half year will be general expenses £40, Streetlighting £30.
11 Feb 1938 Dartford Chronicle
Parish Property
Ancient documents suggest Hartley parish owned land near Black Lion [It did, what was called "Dofee's Cottage" was a poor house built about 1835]Religious Meeting
Forge Cottage - meeting "Present World conditions in relations to ourselves in the light of the Scriptures"
18 Feb 1938 Dartford Chronicle
Careless Driving
Frances Walker of Moulton Abbot fined for careless driving
19 Feb 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Damages for Longfield Solicitor
"A collision near Betsham in November last year had a sequel on Mondy. Francis Gilbert Outred, East Dene, Longfield, solicitor, claimed £29 10s 3d damages for negligence against William James Moody, 4 High Street, Northfleet omnibus proprietor. It was stated a bus driven by Moody collided with a stationary car belonging to Outred. Repairs to the car cost £8 and there was also a claim for £21 10s 3d for hire of a car while his own was being repaired. Moody admitted liability, but denied the extent of the alleged damages and losses. A sum of £18 and relevant costs had been paid into court. judgment was given for Outred for £24 1s 5d and costs."
26 Feb 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Dedication
"Many friends of the late Rev Charles Gerald [sic should be Gerard] Winstanley Bancks MA were present on Friday evening for the dediction of an oak tablet, bearing a list of rectors of Hartley from 1328 to the present time, erected to his memory. The service was taken by the Rev L G W Lenton, and the dedication ceremony by the Bishop of Rochester, who, in speaking of the late Rector said it was largely due to his efforts that the list of rectors was available. 'Gerald Bancks,' he said, 'was of a type of country rector that is fast disappearing. He loved the country and was a countryman. He was keenly interested in the village in which he lived, a village which had increased from 40 houses to over 200 during his 32 years' ministry.' The Bishop also mentioned with approval the fine history of the village, 'Hartley Through the Ages', written by Mr Bancks. Who had many other books to his credit. Among those present in the church were Mr and Mrs Eric Green (son in law and daughter) and General T A Andous [sic should be Andrus] and Mrs Andous."
05 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Dartford RDC
(1) County and District Rates to be 9s 8d in the pound next year. Longfield special rate 3d. (2) Council has come to arrangement with West Kent Electric Company to wire houses for 3d, 4d, or 5d depending on the number of points. Charges will be 1s per week plus 1d per unit.
11 Mar 1938 Dartford Chronicle
Magistrates' Case
George W West of Orchardside, Ash Rd - fined for careless placing of poisoned meat
12 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Accident
"Kenneth MacDonald, younger son of Mr and Mrs MacDonald of [Newbury] Ash Road, Hartley, broke a leg while playing football [for West Kingsdown] on Saturday and was taken [by Farningham Ambulance] to Livingstone Hospital, Dartford."
Hartley Parish Council
(1) War Memorial. Post and Chains now delivered. (2) Fire Brigade. PC decides not to join Dartford RDC scheme. (3) The Agricultural Co-Operative society reported that after heavy rain, mud and water collected outside the shop. It was also mentioned that water collected at these times in the telephone box adjoining. The clerk is to report this to the Rural Council also to ask the telephone department to move the telephone post from Hartley Green."
Longfield Parish Council
(1) D and K Woodward drop their price for Longfield HIll Recreation Ground to £700. Canon Parker said he didn't want to go to the expense of drawing up plans for the Rectory Meadow unless the PC was serious about buying. (2) "War on Grey Squirrels - Longfield Parish Council has declared war on grey squirrels. A circular on the subject from MAFF was read at a meeting on Monday. Canon Parker described shooting three in his garden last year and the damage they did to young plants. 'Not the least of their vices is the killing off of the pretty red squirrels,' he said. The clerk is to acquired pamphlets showing the best way to trap grey squirrels. [These greys were possibly the descendants of grey squirrels released about 30 or so years earlier in Richmond Park and Regents Park. From the records of the Stone Street (Seal) Rat and Sparrow Club, it is clear greys were becoming endemic in Kent by the 1920s. The club fought a losing battle against the greys, destroying 10,000 between 1914 and 1940, but it wasn't until 1923 that they thought it worth listing them as a separate item in their annual report. Red squirrels became extinct in Kent in the 1960s but there have been recent attempts at reintroduction]
12 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Accidentally Shot by Companion - Exonerates Man in Statement before Death
"Standing in the witness box with a double-barrelled shot gun in his arms, Mr Stanley Arthur Charles Hollands [1916-1990] of 7 Elm Terrace, Longfield, told the Gravesend Coroner in Tuesday, how 15 years old Dennis Percival Austin of Chatenay, Manor Drive, Hartley, was fatally shot on a tract of country known as 'No Man's Land', Hartley, on the previous Friday.
'Dennis,' said witness, 'had the gun first. He saw a rabbit and shot it. He said 'Now you have a shot' '. Dennis handed him the gun after reloading it. 'We walked some distance between some bushes adn Dennis frightened a rabbit out of the bushes. He said: Here it goes. I then went to bring the gun to my shoulder, and it went off before I had hardly moved it.' When asked whether he pulled the trigger, witness siad he oculd not say what happened. Only the right hand barrel was on cock, an dit was this that went off. 'He just walked towards me,' witness continued, 'and he said: Charlie, you've shot me.' I stood and looked at him for a minute. Then I saw some blood. He started to fall, and I held him. I laid him against the bushes, took my coat off, and ran for the doctor.' The right trigger of the gun, he said, was 'a little on the loose side.' They had been out shooting together many times, but never had there been an accident before.
Herbert George Austin, the boy's father, a poultry keeper and greengrocer, of Chatenay, Manor Drive, Hartley, said he had allowed his son to use the gun for 12 monthson the understanding that he stayed in the garden or in a field next door where he had permission to shoot. 'My son,' he declared, 'was only 15, but he was a man in every way. He was a boy in years, but a man in action.' When he went to the hospital, Dennis said: 'Hullo pa, I shall be alright.' Asked whether he was satisfied it was a complete accident, he replied, 'Undoubtedly.'
Dr W B Parker, house surgeon at Gravesend Hospital, said the boy was conscious when he was brought in, but gradually got worse. There were about 100 pellet shot wounds on the right side of the chest, neck and face. Death was due to loss of blood, and to early pneumonia. Police Sergeant Udall, Longfield, said he went to Gravesend Hospital and Dennis said to him, 'My chum shot at a rabbit, and hit me. He could not help it. It was an accident.' Mr G E Penman (Borough Coroner) returned a verdict of Accidentally shot."
KM 19/3/1937 Funeral
At All Saints' Hartley with interrment at family grave in Brockley. Long list of floral tributes. He went to Hartley Primary, then became delivery boy to Messrs Redman and Miller, newsagents, Longfield. Belonged to Lads' social club and played in their improvised mouth organ band.
12 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Mock Air Raid at Green Street Green
"Fireworks were used to heighten the effect of a mock air raid staged at Green Street Green on Saturday, with the object of enabling Dartford Rural and Swanscombe urban districts jointly to perform a series of daylight tactical exercises as part of their air raid precautions scheme. Crowds of people from miles around flocked to the scene of the exercises and, whether they came to scoff or otherwise, they stayed to be deeply impressed and to profit by the instructive value of the display. The exercises organised by the ARP Committee will be repeated in each of the 63 centres in the area.
Captain Spencer Tucker (ARP officer for Dartford Rural and Swancombe Urban districts), directed the operations, and Captain A Hewitt was in charge of the fire brigades from Stone, Swanley, Eynsford and Horton Kirby. Decontamination squads, air wardens and messengers took part. The cleansing of the road after the 'explosion of a gas bomb' was one of the most important exercises. As the squad, in protective clothing, hoods and gas masks, performed their task, a running commentary was broadcast by Capt Tucker. The firemen showed their mettle by extinguishing 'smoke bombs' also a fire that was supposed to be raging in a disused church nearby....."
[The disused church was probably St Lukes, next to The Ship at Green Street Green. Rev Bancks had once been curate there]
19 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Driver Disqualified for a Year
Herbert P Austin of Manor Drive fined 70s and disqualified for no insurance and no driving licence after accident at Main Road, Ash on Christmas Eve.
League of Nations Union
AGM. Chairman Mr Frank Comont gave a personal statement why he declined to hold further office. W H Chisholm elected chairman for the evening. Adopted resolutions to boycott Japanese goods, oppose UK government giving financial assistance to Italy, and reaffirmed their "belief that the collective system is the only practical guarantee for world peace and the security of the British Empire."
Auction Sale
"On Wednesday next, 'Woodlands', Hartley near Longfield, sale of Poultry and applicances. Incuding 378 head of poultry including a run of 260 1937 Rhode Island Red Pullets, foster mothers, hoovers, Venn Carr galvanised waterers, galvanised and wooden dry mash hoppers, drinking and feeding troughs, 8 incubators viz two 500 egg Glevum, one 500 Gloucester, three 250 ditto, one 125 ditto; 73 hen coops, folding unit, quantity Elephant iron sheets and shelters, wire doors, 34 rolls wire netting, galvanised tanks, 15 poultry houses of all descriptions, corn bins, 5 night arks with slatted floors, egg grader etc etc
Nursery Business for sale
100 ft heated glass, frames, potting shed, also modern bungalow, about 2½ acres. Price including all stock, goodwill of Gravesend shop - £1,250 apply Keston Nursery, Church Road, Hartley near Longfield."
Air Raid Precautions - Auxiliary Firemen
"Over 200 volunteer auxiliary firemen are required in the Dartford Rural and swanscombe urban districts for Air Raid Precautions, and volunteers wishing to offer their services to the authorities, in teh event of an emergency, should make application to the nearest Fire Station or the Air Raid Precautions Office, Longfield, Kent, for enrolment form, arrangements would then be made for them to receive training, in the District in which they live. ARP Office, Longfield Kent, 16th March 1938."
24 Mar 1936 Western Morning News
Former House Master at Blundell's School - Gas Filled Room
Herne Bay, Monday. Disclosures of a clergyman's addition to drink were made at a Herne Bay inquest today on Rev Tom Pearman Stevens, aged 48, late rector of Hartley, near Dartford, and a former master at Blundell's School, Tiverton, who was found dead in a gas filled room at a house in Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, where he had been staying since last November.
Mr Paul Pearman Stevens, of Dover, said his brother had been addicted to drink for years. He had had to resign several livings, and his wife had left him a number of times in consequence. Two years ago he was in Barming Mental Hospital for 8 months. Last week deceased went to Dover, and told witness his wife had decided to leave him, and he was very depressed. 'He had an excellent wife, a good, true woman to him,' said the witness.
Dr Langworthy Laurie said deceased had no self confidence, and when he had anything to do he fortified himself with drink.
Mr Louis Ernest Morgan, at whose house, deceased stayed, said deceased had been drinking heavily, and was very depressed because his wife left him. After his death an enormous number of bottles were found, which he had taken in secretly.
A verdict of 'Suicide while temporarily insane' was returned. Letters written by deceased to his wife and brother were not read to the jury."
26 Mar 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Cricket Club
AGM of Hartley Cricket Club. With only 2 defeats in 19 matches last season was the most succesful on record. Great improvement in batting. E Cooke scored 508 runs (including one century) at an average of 44. Much needed second hand motor mower purchased. Thanks to Mr Fulford for allowing them to use the ground rent free.
Dartford RDC Elections
Unopposed - C S Bignell (Hartley), J T Matchett (Fawkham), F Goodwin (Ash)
01 Apr 1938 Dartford Chronicle
Road Offences
(1) James Reginald Webster of Church Rd - no road tax; (2) Herbert John Lee, Church Road, no rear reflector on bicycle.
Left Book Club
"The first meeting of the local group was held on Friday last, when 17 people took part in a discussion on 'What are we to do?' The following resolution was carried: 'This meeting of the Hartley Left Book Club Group protests against the refusal of the British Government to cooperate with the democratic forces to resist fascist aggression, and pledges itself to rally united support for the full policy of the League of Nations."
Funeral
Death of Maud Harvey of Manor Drive, 66 who had been ill for just over a week. Leaves husband.
01 Apr 1938 Dartford Chronicle
First Baby
{NAME} of Hartley - first baby born at Dartford RDC Nursing Home
08 Apr 1938 Dartford Chronicle
No Lights
Arnold Clark of Church Rd - cycled without lights at New Barn
16 Apr 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Fire Protection for Hartley
Dartford borough Council offered to provide fire cover for Hartley for 10 guineas a year.
23 Apr 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Country Club
Dance to celebrate various alterations to the club buildings and new lounge for members.
Too Hot House
"Fire broke out early on Saturday morning in the greenhouse adjoining Irene Cottage, Hartley [Hillside, Grange Lane], the residence of Mr and Mrs O Delf. The greenhouse was gutted, destroying 3 bicycles and other articles stored therein."
Telegraph Lines
Public notice that Post office plan to run a line along North Ash Road and Hartley Bottom from the existing post 400 yards west of Cuckolds Corner to Hartley Hill.
Easter Services
(Longfield) "On Easter Sunday at St Mary Magdalene, all the services were well attended. There was a record number of communicants, the total being 130. The church was beautifully decorated by lady helpers. The collections for the day were presented to the Rector, Rev Canon Parker."
30 Apr 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Nursing Association Makes Progress
Now 18 years old. Told county won't pay for car for nurse, and will only pay for running costs for mother and baby cases. In last year 3,621 visits paid by nurses and 4,242 hours on duty. Nurse Pile is now a Queen's Nurse (more highly qualified)
07 May 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Co-Op Store burgled
"Goods to the value of about £30 including cigarettes, tobacco and patent medicenes were stolen from te Hartley Agricultural Co-Operative Society's store on Tuesday night. The discovery was made by the police about 11pm. They found a window at the back of the premises had been forced and that the store was in a state of disorder. Attempts had been made to open a number of drawers and cupboards."rtley, near Dartford, in Kent. He fell 130 ft down a well, slipping from a platform. Mother fainted - the £1 notes fluttered away."
[This was probably the construction of the Hartley Pumping Station]
Dartford RDC
(1) Rev Stanley Morgan urged council housing to include parlours (living rooms) "Family life suffers if houses are built without parlours." Mr W Rogers thought tenants would be put off by the extra shilling rent. No decision made. (2) Silver Porringer for Mother "It was stated that the first mother at Riseley Maternity Home, Horton Kirby, was Mrs Tate of Hartley, who was to be presented by the council with a silver porringer." (3) Hartley Road, Hartley [Ash Road? or Hartley Road Longfield?] is to be widened and improved at a cost of £1,209.
Southwark may play Hounds
"Longfield has been suffering froma gigantic paper chase for some time. The wind has played the part of the hares getting limitless supplies of paper from teh rubbish dump in the valley. Residents complain that the paper is being carried right out of the valley over the bordering hills. Their gardens, they say, are lying thick with paper, while it hangs on the branches of trees and hedgerows like blossom. It has even been swept through open doors and windows of their homes. So far no-one has volunteered to play the hounds, but at the meeting of the Parish Council on Monday, it was decided that the Borough of Southwark, owners of the dump, should be invited to fulfil the role...."
07 May 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
World situation
League of Nations Union host Noel Carrett who had returned from fighting in Spain and spoke of the Spanish people "enduring so much for an ideal and making such tremendous sacrifices for democracy". They collect £3 10s for Spanish war vicitims. Meanwhile Hartley Women Conservatives host Mrs Sanderson of Sevenoaks who had lived in Germany from 1909-14 and was in Cologne as a guide after the Great War. "Adolf Hitler, she said, brought order out of chaos," but also that "there was no freedom in Germany as in our own country."
KM 14/5/1938 - Hartley Meeting 'Surprised' a Visitor
"A friend of mine who happened to be visiting the neighbourhood of Hartley during the last weekend tells me that he attended a 'social gathering' in the WI on Saturday evening. An attractive programme, including a guessing competition and a spelling bee, gave as the star item a lecture on the Spanish War by 'One who had been through it.' Having paid a modest sixpence for a tea ticket, the visitor was surprised to see the walls of the little hall decorated with posters in English, French and Spanish appealing for funds to supply milk for starving child victims in Madrid and Catalonia. After this it was not with less astonishment that the stranger was shown a somewhat tattered film purporting to give authentic photographs of the effects of air raids in 'Government' Spain, of heroes or the international Brigade in the trenches and so on. Only one picture of a ruined appeared, and that was one theat had been bombed by the 'rebels'. In the lecture that followed, given by a young enthusiast who had been wounded 'out there' the gaps in the story were as obvious as the gaps in the film. In both cases the label 'Fascist' was invariably attached to Franco's sympathisers, whereas the word 'Communist' was spoken, or appeared in the captions, very rarely. 'Anti-Fascist' described every type of supporter of the 'Democratic' government of Spain. My friend when asking questions carefully refrained from accusing the lecturer of any intent to conceal or distort facts. The young man no doubt told the truth about what he, as a private soldier, had seen, but it was lamentable to hear hsi assertion that after 'non-intervention' troops had been poured into Spain by Germany and Italy, whereas 'practically none' had been received from France or Russia or Mexico. Scrutator"
[Scrutator was presumably the author of the column of the same name in the Sunday Times. He betrays his views by the inverted commas he puts on 'the government' since Franco's side was a coup against the Republican winners of the 1936 election in Spain. The fascists received the active support of the Roman Catholic Church in Spain because the Republicans wanted to disestablish the church, hence the clergy were not treated as neutrals. Scrutator was to get a rude awaking, when the Fascist Italian supporters of Franco sank British shipping in Spain a month later. The Catholic Church eventually changed their view of Franco and in 1973 Pope Paul VI had threatened him with excommunication shortly before Franco's death.]
KM 21/5/1938 Hartley Talk on Spain: A Reply to Scrutator
(1) "We have read with interest the letter you published from Scrutator, who admits having only a secondhand account of a 'social gathering' in Hartley, and as local residents who attended the meeting in question, we should like to be allowed to make a few comments. In the first place the posters announcing the meeting showed that it was called by the localYouth Group of the League of Nations Union and also that a collection would be taken on behalf of funds for Spain's desitute children, so that Scrutator's friend had probably guessed on which side the sympathy of the promoters lay. The social part of the evening followed the more serious side, but thos present who showed their support of General Franco promptly left at the conclusion of the speaker's innings. The speaker, who was described as an eyewitness of events in Spain, makde a great impression on us by his scrupulous fairness and moderation, and we suggest that his consistent refusal to indulge in rhetorical assertions (which might well be copied by all who speak publicly on this thorny question) put him well beyond the reach of any who may have wished to accuse him of distorting facts. His belief that practically no supplies has reached the Government from outside sources since non-intervention was based on the fact that he himself saw no evidence of such supplies in his eperience as a soldier in Spain. The film in question together with the pamphlets on the 'Case for Nationalist Spain' which were distributed by some of Franco's supporters, merely give excellent illustrations of the vile things that can happen in war. The film depicted scenes of ruin, destruction and terror, while the pamphlets in their accounts of atrocities remided one of the propaganda delivered in the early days of the Great War. Is it enough for us to sit back and condemn ruthlessly one side or the other? Let us have an end to this slaughter and wholesale demolition of sacred places and beautiful buildings. Let all those who have at heart the welfare of the Spanish people work together to bring about a reconciliation to which so many Spaniards secretly aspire and endeavour to promote a civil and religious peace in Spain. W L and N J Gates, Wild Garth, Fairby Lane, Hartley.
(2) "Your anonymous correspondent, Scrutator, seems to have been very surprised by the proceedings at what he designates a 'social gathering' in the WI Hall, Hartley. As secretary and chairman of the Youth Group of the Hartley and District Branch of the League of Nations Union, which organised the meeting, we feel that the letter calls for some comment. As the notices advertising the meeting announced that a collection was to be taken in aid of the fund for milk for Spanish children, it is difficult to see why the visitor should have been surprised by the posters which decorated the walls. It is with no less astonishment on our part that we note that your correspondent questions the authenticity of the fim shown, After reading the reports which have appeared in the Press of the bombing of Madrid, Barcelona and other towns, it seemed to us that the film did not exaggerate the disastrous effects of the aerial attack upon Madrid. Had the makers of the film known of the visitor's ardent desire to be shown more ruined churches they would doubtless have furnished more examples from, for instance, Guernica, which was reduced to ruins by German planes. Objection is raised to the use of the label 'Fascist' to describe Franco's sympathisers. Surely the use of this term is justified in view of the fact that the assistance rendered by the governments of Fascist Italy and Fascist Germany has proved the decisive factor in the success of the rebel forces. The reports in the Press during the last few months regarding the despatch of large numbers of Italian troops to Spain tend to support the speaker's statement that much more foreign assistance has been supplie dto the rebel forces than to the Spanish Government, which is entitled, according to international law, to buy arms abroad. Peggy Hoyle (secretary), M G Balchin (Secretary) Fernholme, Hartley, Longfield.
(3) "No small surprise was felt in Hartley, when our self styled Scrutator rushed into print in the courtesy of your columns, with a long and detailed account of a meeting in Hartley at which, as he is at pains to show, he himself was not present. Is he not afraid he may be lending himself to misrepresentation? A few enquiries by the stranger in our midst would have prevented his carrying away such a mare's nest, since everyone else knew that the meeting was held in support of the British and French Youth Joint Relief Campaign in Spain. In this work, the Youth Peace Movement, in which a gourp of local young people are taking par, is but anticipating the time when, on cessation of hostilities, Mr Neville Chamberlain has said that neutral governments 'with clean hands' may step in and organise relief. In the meanwhile, children die; hence the need for private organisations to do what governments cannot. It is not surpising, however, that those undertaking the distribution of supplies to the destitute in Spain should also have come to a quite definite opinion about hte origin and course of the war, nor that young people at home should receive that opinion with sympathetic interest. In the case of the speaker referred to, Mr Noel Carritt, as he had fought in the International Column, his bias was known and could be allowed for; he may fairly cliam, however, to be personally disinterested, and as such his opinions carry more weight than those of some self appointed experts with, we know not what, irons in the Spanish fire." Hazel Chisholm, Restharrow, Hartley, Longfield"
14 May 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Land for sale
(Hartley) "Valuable freehold land suitable for building; 5½ acres at low price, or £60 per acre for quick sale, opposite Hartley Church, Longfield. Write. Maxton, 173 Cromwell Road, London SW5." [This would be undeveloped land to the north of footpath from the Church to the Black Lion. Jane Foote-Maxton had bought the remnants of Smallowners Limited's land at Hartley in 1928.]
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Parish Council approve Dartford RDC's scheme to widen Ash Road and add a footway for 280 yards between the junction with Church Road and Hartley Green. They particularly favoured a footway by the school even though it will mean the loss of part of the Green. (2) New seat on Green already vandalised by the cutting of initials. (3) Call for bus stops in Ash Road below the War Memorial and in Church Road so that bus passengers don't have to walk across the memorial grass.
Presentation of Purse
"On Monday at the Albert Hall, London, {NAME}, aged 4 years, daughter of Mr and Mrs G Outram, Pondowne Villas [13 Main Road] had the great honour of presenting a purse for the Waifs and Strays to her Majesty Queen Mary. The contents of the purse had been collected by members and friends of the Women's Meeting."
Longfield Parish Boundary
Public notice that diocese plans to alter boundary of ecclesiatical parish with that of Horton Kirby.
18 May 1938 Western Mail
Well Sinker's Fatal Fall
"A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest at Dartford on Tuesday on Edgar Thomas Jones, aged 34, a well sinker, of Suffolk Place, Ogmore Vale, who was killed when he fell 120 feet down a well at a new waterworks being constructed at Hartley, near Dartford, on Friday afternoon. It was stated that Jones, with 2 other men, were on one side of the platform 10 feet from the top of the well cementing the side when the platform tipped up. Jones fell off, but the other two grabbed the side and climbed to the surface."
Life Passes By (Reynolds Newspaper 15/5/1938)
"Two men knocked at the cottage door of Mrs Jones, a widow of Ogmore Vale yesterday. One was the postman with a letter from a son in which were fiver £1 notes - joy. The other was the village policeman. He came to tell her another son had been killed while working at Hartley
28 May 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Newsboys' Outing
Picture of Messrs Redman and Millner's newsboys leaving on annual outing to Southend.
04 Jun 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Church Fete
Held at school due to rain. Opened by Mrs King, wife of the Bishop of Rochester. Picture of her at one of the stalls.
10 Jun 1938 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Cricket
"Hartley Country Club 2nd v Chislehurst 2nd. At Hartley on Saturday. Chislehurst failed against the bowling of Harris 9 for 17. Hartley passed the visitors' total without losing a wicket but later lost wickets cheaply to the bowling of Spooner (4 for 7) and Plevin (4 for 25)." Chislehurst 2nd - 43 all out. Hartley 2nd 85 all out (Sheppard 22, Rose 29)
11 Jun 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Parish Council
(1) New seat with the coronation surplus for Hartley Green, existing one to be moved to Stocks Green. (2) White safetly lines painted on Hoselands Hill.
Air Raid Precautions
Ash, Hartley and Fawkham said to have one warden for every 6 houses.
Longfield Lags in ARP
"Longfield is lagging behind in air raids precautions. Mr Spencer F Tucker, ARP officer for the Dartford Rural District, told the parish councillors so on Tuesday, when he appealed to them for assistance. The first job, he said, was to take a census of every woman and child. After that a survey of the district should be made to ascertain all available cellars, heavily built buildings and spaces. Of 1,000 volunteers in the rural district, only 23 came from Longfield, whereas at Hartley there was a warden to every 6 houses. He suggested that parish councillors should set an example by becoming volunteers and act as intelligence officers. Mr Spencer Tucker said men would be needed to dig trenches, and it was advisable that they should be trained so that they could do the work quickly and properly. Some people in Longfield were already digging dugouts. He foresaw that in the event of war most of the fighting would take place over Kent, and especially that area. Canon Parker, F R Langford, W Blackman and A Adams (clerk) decided to act as volunteers, but the chairman (Mr A G Letchford) declined for personal reasons. Mr Letchford agreed, however, to assist in regard to the sending of pamphlets to local residents."
17 Jun 1938 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)
Hothfield Dairy
(Advert) "Cowman, single wanted - Hothfield Dairy, Hartley, Longfield."
"For sale: Hay crop or feed, about 12 acres, meadow adjoining Longfield Church - Apply Hickmott, Longfield"
18 Jun 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Funeral
Funeral at Longfield of Tim Pankhurst, invalid 2nd son of Mr and Mrs Pankhurst of [23] Essex Road. He died at King Edward Hospital, Dartford after suffering greatly for many years.
25 Jun 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Safety first
(Ash) The Church of England School on Tuesday, had a lecture on how to avoid road accidents, by Sergeant Udall of Longfield, under the auspicesof the Dartford Safety First Committee"
01 Jul 1938 Kent and Sussex Courier
Found dead
"Mr John Peter Brookhouse, 28, of Rolvenden Road, Tenterden, son of Mr J C Brookhouse, a solicitor of Queen Street, London EC, was found dead in a wood near the village of Ash, near Dartford, on Friday. The discovery was made when a park keeper saw a car parked in a lonely lane and made a search. Mr Brookhouse, who was unmarried, carried on business as a farm contractor. Prior to living at Tenterden, he resided at Woodsden Farm, Hawkhurst, and farmed the holding. At the same time he undertook tractor and other agricultural work in the neighbourhood by contract."
02 Jul 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hearts of Oak Lodge Oddfellows
Annual tea and sports of junior section in WI Hall and the Hartley Agricultural Society's Meadow. List of winners. Each child got 6d voucher to spend in the local shop and a lucky dip gift. List of members helping. Teas provided by Messrs Townley of Hartley, music by Bennett and Brown of Gravesend.
Two Hartley Centuries
Cricket. Hartley Country Club 1st v Dulwich at Hartley. Country Club 273-3 dec (J Sillett 103, T Crouch 111 no). Dulwich 108 all out (Crouch 5-9). Another Country Club player, ex Surrey County player Andy Sandham, got a century in the other weekend match.
09 Jul 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Prize Sheep Dog
"congratulations are due to Mrs Gates of Fairby Lane, Hartley, whose young shetland sheepdog, Fairbilain Mina secured 1st prize for Novices, 2nd prize in Maiden class and two special prizes at Tattersalls show last week.
Hartley Burial Ground Problem
Dartford RDC report that water company have objected to the Foxborough Wood location, saying it should be more remote from wells in the locality. Capt Bignell (Hartley) said Hartley people think the objection was "ridiculous".
Newington Church Council
Meeting hears that they have bought six oil lamps from Hartley Church for 26s.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Recreation Ground Problem. Canon Parker still doesn't want to pay for a valuation, and said he didn't particularly want to sell it either. Happy with its present use. (2) Mr K Woodward and Capt W M Partridge disqualified from council for non-attendance for 6 months. Mr Goff, headmaster of Longfield School co-opted, another is to be found, it was suggested the council should appoint its first woman member.
16 Jul 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
County Show
D Dallen of Hartley Manor Farm wins 3rd prize in Guernsey Yearling Bull class, and 3rd prize for Guernsey Heiffer in milk born 1935.
18 Jul 1938 Evening News
To Hartley: 8 miles
"Hartley (Kent) Parish Council is opposing the change of its postal address from "Hartley, Longfield" to "Hartley, Dartford" It is pointed out that strangers who book to Dartford find they are 8 miles from Hartley; Longfield is the next village."
29 Jul 1938 Dartford Chronicle
No dog licence
George Ripley of New Hayes Cottages - no dog licence
School Jumble Sale
School jumble sale for wireless raised £9
30 Jul 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Willow Saved
"The beautiful old willow tree near the Mission Room, Longfield [Hill] has been saved following an appeal from the Parish Council. It had been suggested that a band of steel or chain should be fixed round the forked trunk so has to strengthen it against possible destruction by strong winds. It was reported that the necessary work had been carried out."
05 Aug 1938 Kentish Express
KCC Small Holdings to Let
"Kent County Council… Applications for the hiring of any of the undermentioned smallholdings will be considered from persons with agricultural experience and adequate capital….
(3) Ash, near Hartley - 20 acres arable and small barn (no house)…."
06 Aug 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
He Chanced it
"Said to be a widower with 7 children, John Thomas Warren, Southview, Church Road, Hartley, was fined 7s 6d at Dartford on Friday of last week, for riding a cycle without lights at Hoselands Hill, Hartley on July 1st. When stopped by PC O'Regan he said 'You have caught me this time. I thought I would chance it. I thought I had a red reflector.' "
No dog licence
Walter Robert Maynard of Hope Villas, [9] Station Road fined 15s.
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Council want to buy Rectory Meadow as a playing field. Dartford RDC offered to reserve the land for that purpose under the Town Planning Scheme. (2) New Streetlights to be at Longfield Hill, near the Railway Bridge and on the Hartley-Ash Road. (3) M T Goff, headmaster of the primary school coopted onto the council.
18 Aug 1938 Birmingham Daily Gazette
Ex-Army Officer, aged 80, marries his housekeeper, aged 39
"Mr David Copus, former army captain, who is nearly 80, was married to 39 year old Miss Edith Yardley Pope at Dartford Register Offie, Kent yesterday. For a year Miss Pope had kept house for Mr Copus at his bungalow in Hartley Village, near Dartford. Mr Copus's first wife died in 1936 after they had been married 60 years. The bride and groom are seen leaving the register office" (Picture)
Bride is 39, Groom 80
(Daily Herald 15.8.1938)"Mr David Copus, former army captain, who is nearly 80, will marry 39 year old Miss Edith Yardley Pope on Wednesday. For a year she had kept house for him at his bungalow in Hartley village, near Dartford Kent. They are to marry at Dartford Register Office.
Mr Copus served for 25 years in the Indian Ordnance Department. His wife died in 1936; they had been married for nearly 80 years. 'I was a great friend of Miss Pope's parents in India,' he told the Daily Herald yesterday. 'I can recall her as a charming little girl of three.'
Miss Pope gave up her job to look after Mr Copus because he was alone. She called him 'uncle'. 'We are marrying for companionship,' she said, 'We have a perfect understanding, and it is not as though we are in our teens. Uncle has been a dear to me and if I can be a help to him I shall be very happy.'"
26 Aug 1938 Dartford Chronicle
Dangerous Dog
Edward O Jones of Elderberry Cott, Gorse Way - dangerous dog
27 Aug 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Longfield Flower Show Confounds the Pessimists
300 entries at Flower Show and Fete at Court Meadow. Includes picture of pillow fight.
10 Sep 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
From Private to Commisioned Rank
"The funeral took place at Hartley Parihs Church on Saturday of Captain James William Webster (pictured), 72 of Lal Bagh, Hartley [Cloverpatch, Church Road], who died the previous Tuesday after several years' illness. Capt Webster had lived in Hartley for the past 17 years. For many years he devoted much time to the care of the village war memorial, but ill health compelled him to give up this work. Huse to take a prominent part in the social life of the parish and was for some years secretary of the old Constitutional Club.
Captain Webster had a long career in the Army. He served in the Indian Ordnance department as staff sergeant and later conductor from 1888-1911 when he retired on pension after 26 years' service. On the outbreak of the Great War, Captain Webster re-enlisted as a private in the Army Ordnance Corps and was promoted to conductor, receiving a commission in France in 1915. He was appointed Captain in 1918. Captain Webster was mentioned in despatches five times. He left the Army again in April 1922. Captain Webster, who was a prominent freemason, was the holder of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, Jubilee 1885, 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal. A widow, son and daughter ar bereaved.
Hartley Parish Council
(1) Water company have withdrawn objection to Foxberry Wood burial ground, so conveyance of land to go ahead. (2) Dartford Postmaster said change of post town should speed up deliveries to Hartley. (3) Further complaints about mothers from Fairby walking [four abreast] along main road with their prams. [KM 15/10/1939] Medical officer of Fairby said he's put up a notice about this]
Longfield Parish Council
(1) Council request a halt at Longfield Siding when line is electrified. (2) They also request a footpath the School to Whitehill Crossroads, at present it ends on one side and continues on the other. (3) "Mr W T Goodwin said that since Kent Road had been made up, certain steps leading to houses projected onto the footpath and were dangerous at night."
10 Sep 1938 Daily Mirror
Took the Cake - to the Party
"When the men of Longfield, Kent held a cake making competition at a garden party, Mr A Adams, clerk to the council, tried his hand. But the cake just 'pancaked' all over the oven tray. With no time for a second effort, he took the slab on the tray to the party, sold it in portions, joked about it, raised more money than the prize cake itself realised."
[Also in KM 10/9/1938 "17 Brave Men of Longfield" mentions A Robson of Hartley won and Mr Adams promised his wife never to try baking again when she saw the state of the oven!]
13 Sep 1938 Evening News
Nil Desperandum
"For 20 years residents of Kent Road, Longfield, Kent have agitated for the road to be 'made up'. The work has now been completed."
17 Sep 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Late Mrs D Collingwood
Dorothy Collingwood widow of Major Collingwood died on Sunday aged 55. Had lived in Hartley for 17 years and had been ill for last year. Last few weeks spent at house brother Hubert Goodwin of [Westfield, Church Road] Hartley. Survived by 2 daughters.
Motorcyclist fined
Graham Henry Wood, Hatchlands, Hartley Hill [Blue Firs, Church Road] fined 10s for speeding.
20 Sep 1938 Daily Mirror
Girl Braves Fire to Save Farm
"{NAME} 15, granddaughter of a farmer, showed great courage in giving the alarm and saving stock from blazing barns during a fire at Ridley Court Farm, Ash near Dartford today. // From her window in a bungalow a quarter of a mile from the farm Lily looked out and saw the barns ablaze. She raced across the fields and as the farmhouse was locked, she smashed her way in through a glass door. She telephoned the fire brigade, then ran into the blazing building and released all the livestock.
When the fire brigades from Dartford, Gravesend and Eynsford arrived they were handicapped by lack of water, as there was no hydrant, but water from nearby ponds was used up. Captain William Mackney, chief of Dartford Brigade, told me that they had no chance. When they arrived the buildings were a mass of flame.
The farmer, Mr Harry White, and the other members of the family had gone to Ashford, Kent, by car earlier in the day. A member of the farmily told me: 'The origin of the fire is a mystery. We think a tramp must have slept in one of the barns last night and set it on fire.' In addition to several centuries old thatched barns, a car and trailer and farm machinery were destroyed."
23 Sep 1938 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)
Notable Personalities - Harry Tomlinson
"We introduce this week Harry Tomlinson (pictured) [1890-1967], an old contemptible, and a hard worker for the British Legion. If you have never been in his company, you have missed some of the spice of life. Of course, when one is writing about the World War, everything cannot go into print. Experiences of an Old Contemptible would make rather gruesome reading.Mr Tomlinson was born at East Morton in Yorkshire in 1889, and is the father of one boy and one girl. Son of a farmer, he started work in a Yorkshire wool mill at the age of 12, a half timer. Some people called them bad old days, but they do not seem to have done Mr Tomlinson any harm. He drew 10s a week (even in those days!) and his elementary school education was unimpaired. He passed, with commendable success, all his school examinations. Not bad going for a half timer!
Leaving school at the age of 13, Mr Tomlinson tried his hand at farming. He didn't care about it, so he found employment in hunting stables in York City.
Wanderlust then caught him, and he tried to join the 5th Lancers at York. They were full up, and he enlisted in the 21st Lancers stationed at Aldershot. It was in this same year (1898) when Mr Tomlinson went out to Africa in the Transvaal with the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. Here he was stationed at Potschefstroom for two and a half years. He was next attracted to the Rhodesian Mounted Police. Rejected! An inch too small in stature. In December 1910, Mr Tomlinson came back to Canterbury with the 9th Lancers, and he married Miss Laura Hawkins. Two years later he left for Tidworth to live in barracks, where his first son was born.
From Tidworth, Mr Tomlinson went to France, landing on August 16, 1914, when trained men were few and far between. He was 'over there' with the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and on August 23, he was with the regiment at Binchey, just outside Mons. On Sunday, August 23, he was in action on the canal, a spot well known to Old Contempibles. Then the memorable retreat began. From the cornfields came heavy machine gun fire from the Germans. The infantry Division sustained heavy casualties. It was the next day (Monday, August 24, 1914) during this heroic retreat when the 119th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, under the command of Major Alexander, lost nearly all their horses and men. Mr Tomlinson's Queen's Royal Lancers came to the rescue and saved the guns with the help of the artillerymen who were left. Capt Grenfell was awarded the Victoria Cross for taking part in this work - he was the second war VC - and incidently Maj Gen Alexander, Commander of the 119th Battery, RFA, was later in the war awarded the VC.
Mr Tomlinson was mentioned in dispatches for what he did in saving the guns.
On goes the story of the retreat... Germans pressing heavily .... TNT shells from the enemy lines scattering British troops right and left. On Sept 6 there was a halt to reorganise, and then they turned round to the Battle of the Marne, forcing the enemy into full retreat. Mr Tomlinson was next in the first battle of Ypres, taking part in all the heavy fighting in this sector in October and November. The cavalry left their horses to man the trenches. He was also in the first battle of Neuve Chappelle .... the fighting went on.
It was on May 24, 1915, when the enemy sent over chlorine gas, accompanied by heavy shelling, to the British lines. 200 men were lost. Capt Grenfell was killed in action. Mr Tomlinson was badly gassed with that horrible concoction (no gas masks in those early days). Mr Tomlinson's regiment was put out of action. This left a gap in the lines, and he was sent to general headquarters with a dispatch, all lines of communication having been cut off. He was shot in the head, shoulder, arm and legs, but he got his message through. For this also he was Mentioned in Dispatches, and awarded the Military Medal. He was in hospital in England until September 1915, when he joined the 7th reserve regiment at Tidworth, but was not passed fit for active service until the end of 1916.
At the end of 1917 he went to Mesopotamia with the 25th Machine Gun Cavalry. In this country Sergt. Tomlinson saw considerable fighting. He assisted in 'cleaning up' the Turks by Anna. He was one of those who helped to recapture Col Tennant, the famous airman who dropped food from his plane for British troops at Kut. Col Tennant was kept prisoner by the German commander; the colonel was in an armoured car 500 miles 'up country' when the rescue was effected. Eventually Sergt Tomlinson went to Baghdad, where his unit was reformed. An accident resulted in hospital treatment at Amhora, and he missed the big 'clean up' in the Persian Hills. He set sail for England on Christmas Day, from Kurnah, in 1918. This was his Christmas Dinner: One cup of tea and one bun, kindly given by the YMCA at Kurnah.
After 6 week's leave in this country, he was demobilised, as cheerful as ever, in March 1919. Mr Tomlinson then obtained employment with the Southern Railway Co at Bekesbourne, near Canterbury. This was in April 1919. From here he went to Fawkham Junction, and was there about 6 years. In 1930 he went as a signalman to Paddock Wood, and 6 years later he came to Tonbridge, also as a signalman.
Wherever Mr Tomlinson has been, the British Legion has benefitted by his sound advice. As a Legionnaire, you could not find another working man in the realm who has rendered such inestmable service to this vast organisation. He still has the bulldog determination which characterised his service career. He was largely instrumental in forming one of the first branches of the Legion - at Littlebourne in 1921. There is no need to elaborate on his British Legion work. It is, or should be, too well known. He has been an inspiration and a guiding star in evry Legion branch with which he has been connected. Mr Tomlinson is not a man to let the grass grow under his feet; he wants to be doing something. Give him a 'job of work' and then he is happy. He is a typical Yorkshireman - straight as a gun barrel. Mr Tomlinson, one of the founders of the local branch of the Old Contemptibles Association, is a Briton well worthy of the name. Mrs Tomlinson is well knwon as a hard worker for the Women's Section of the British Legion."
23 Sep 1938 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Reduction in Rates for Electricity Supply
"West Kent Electric Supply Co Ltd - in the parishes of Ash, Chelsfield, Cudham, Darenth, Downe, Eynsford, Farningham, Fawkham, Hartley, Horton Kirby, Kingsdown, Knockholt, Longfield, Lullingstone, Ridley, Southfleet, Sutton at Hone and Wilmington. Business and Domestic Two Part Tariff: Unit charge from 1d to 3/4d. Business two part tariff: Fixed charge from 7/6 to 6/3 per quarter per 100 watts of installed lighting (5/9 in the rest of the company's area)" From 4th quarter of 1938. Offices at Orpington, Petts Wood, Hayes and Barnehurst.
24 Sep 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Government's Wise Policy
Frederick D Welch of Hartley writes to argue for non-intervention, arguing that the people of Germany and Italy are solidly behind their dictators and that to intervene would require conscription. [When conscription came Dr Welch would then criticise those who claimed conscientious objection]
Longfield Village Hall Meeting
"Although considerable repairs were done to Longfield Village Hall during the year, the financial statement presented at the annual meeting on Wednesday by Mr walter Wright (hon Secretary and Treasurer) stated that there was an increased balance of about £7. The cost of panelling the ceiling was £17 11s, and to the hall £7 15s. Income was £112 17s, including lettings £40 10s, and Whist Drives £26. Mr S Hickmott gave a donation of £15 towards the cost of repairs. Mr Wright said the making up of the road outside should benefit the hall. The trustees would have to find about £50 towards the cost of this..... Mr G V Lynds, caretaker, was thanked for painting the kitchen free of charge......"
01 Oct 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Agricultural Society
Half yearly report said prospects had improved after the depression in the poultry industry. As cash sales had increased, they were considering adding new lines of tinned food. By bulk buying they think they could compete with big stores.
Harvest Festival
Gifts at Congregational Church to go to Salvation Army in Gravesend. Gifts at All Saints' to go to Livingstone Hospital, Dartford.
Brownie Leader becomes Bride
"A picturesque wedding took place on Saturday at the parish church Hartley, when Miss Gladys Irene Parkin [prob 1914-2005], younger daughter of Mr and Mrs F W Parkin of Laburnums, Hartley, was married to Mr Ormond James Benjamin Booth [1903-1994] of Hartley. The bride had ben leader of the Brownies for the past 6½ years and was attired in white satin with veil and carried cream rosebuds....guides and brownies formed a guard of honour...."
Air Raid Precautions
(Longfield) "Nearly every person in Longfield has received a gas mask. ARP workers have been busy fitting people in their homes and on Wednesday the delivery of the masks began. The village has a large number of ARP workers, but more would be welcomed."
02 Oct 1938 Daily Mirror
Married Secretly - Widow in a Fortnight
"Married secretly 2 weeks ago, Miss Leonie de Verteuil, 21 , daughter of Frederick J de Verteuil, the disbarred barrister serving 5 years penal servitude for conspracy to defraud, is now a widow. Called to the telephone, she was told gently that her husband, Pilot Officer, John Goodhart Mason, of the no 6 Flying Training School, Bourton on Water, near Cheltenham, was one of two RAF men killed in a crash in Oxfordshire. Mrs Mason kept the wedding at a little Roman Catholic church where the de Verteuil family go to mass, a close secret, and promised not to disclose her husband's name. Now, only by her husband's death, has the secret been revealed. A friend told the Sunday Pictorial yesterday 'Leonie sought her father's consent to her marriage. He sent her back his blessing from prison, saying, 'This will lighten my burden.' Mrs de Verteuil, speaking from her home, Manor House, near Longfield, Kent, where her daughter before her marriage helped her sisters, to run a riding school said yesterday 'Leonie is heartbroken. It is all so terrible. She and John were so happy and so much in love. We found a little of the happiness that has gone from us returning as we watched them together. I feel Leonie will never be the same after this."
[KM 24/9/1938 Hers was the first wedding at St Francis de Sales RC Church.
She married again and emigrated to Canada in 1957. She died, age 102, in 2020]
08 Oct 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Evening Classes
Longfield classes to be handiwork, gardening and physical training.
28 Oct 1938 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Chislehurst Division History
"With the title of 'Ourselves' Miss Eira Barker of Hartley, near Dartford, has written a book giving the history of the Chislehurst Parliamentary Division. In 1924 there were 33,000 electors in the division; now there are about 110,000. Copies of the book (2s each) are obtainable from Miss Eira Barker, Heortlea, Hartley, near Dartford."
29 Oct 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Motorist Disqualified
George Henry Arthur of Fawkham road disqualified for a year for no insurance at Fawkham Road.
Fined for Stealing Ladder
"… Herbert Percival Austin, 21 of Manor Drive, Hartley was fined 30s for stealing a ladder belonging to Arthur Moore. PS Udall, Longfield, said he saw Austin repaining a house at Hartley Hill. He admitted taking the ladder which he said he saw lying by a footpath. He intended to give it back when he finished the job."
01 Nov 1938 Evening News
News from All Quarters
"Longfield near Dartford, wants a 30 mph speed limit."
04 Nov 1938 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)
Ellerby's Advert
"Tractor ploughing from 15s per acre subsoiling 20 in deep, from 17s 6d per acre; mole draining, grubbing, discing, pitch polling, cultivating 12 in deep 14s per acre; mowing from 6s per acre; reaping and binding - C Ellerby, Hartley, Longfield 3195."
[another advert 6.5.1938 also offered "Sports grounds, levelling, turfing etc for tennis courts and bowling greens."]
11 Nov 1938 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Merrythought Café
Bromley Road Club's (cycling) outing on 20 November to be a mystery run, ending with tea at the Merrythought Café, Longfield [27 Main Road].
12 Nov 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Car overturns
"When his car overturned while he was driving home from Crayford on Wednesday evening last week, Mr Wilfred Balchin, the Red House, [Ash Road] Hartley was thrown into the road. His mother, who was a passenger, was taken to King Edward Avenue Hospital, Dartford, suffering from shock and concussion."
Women's Constitutional Association
Hartley Women Conservatives hold whist drive for Czech refugees. [KM 19/11/1938 £1 10s raised]
Driving Ban to Continue
Herbert P Austin unsuccessfully applied to have driving ban lifted. He said it had led to unemployment.
Retired Actor Fined for Neglecting Fowls
"Described as a retired actor, Wilfred Mansfield, 60, of Woodview Hartley Green, Longfield, pleaded not guilty on Friday last week to causing unnecessary suffering to 5 fowls by omitting to provide them with sufficient nourishing food and proper care and attention. Inspector Haydn Fletcher of the RSPCA said that when he visited defendant's plantation he found a number of dead fowls lying about in various stages of decomposition. In a pen he found 12 cockerel in fair order and 2 dead birds. Further down the plantation he found 5 birds, four of which were dead, in a closedly boarded fowl house. The live bird could scarcely stand. There was no water or food of any description.
PS Udall, Longfield stated that defendant denied all knowledge of the live bird in the fowl house and sai dhe had sold all the birds from that pen the previous Wednesday week. The purchaser, he said, must have left one behind. The bird, was in an emaciated condition and was hardly able to stand. Defendant said that a dealer had admitted that the large proportion of the birds were fit, otherwise he (the dealer) would not have bought them. 'Even the poor wretched creature tottering on its last legs was not starved,' he added. 'It was offered food but could not eat it.
Sidney Herbert Ellerby of Hartley, said he had known defendant for 20 years and could confirm that his stock had been well nourished and his birds always in good condition. Defendant was too sensitive and could not kill a bird. He had kept the fowls foolishly and they had become evidence against him. When the magistrates imposed a fine of £3 with £1 11s 6d cost, defendant said 'It will not be paid.' The Deputy Clerk: then you know what will happen. Defendant: Yes, I am quite prepared for it."
[The plantation referred to was probably a block of land in Fairby Lane next to Farm View, which Mr Mansfield bought in 1923]
19 Nov 1938 Daily Mirror
Publican gave Beer to Son, Aged 4
"A publican who admitted he had given to his son under the age of 5 'enough mild beer to colour a small glass of ginger beer' was fined £1 on each of 2 summonses at Dartford, Kent, yesterday. Harry Carlisle Hammond [1913-1972], licencee of the White Swan, Ash near Dartford, pleaded guilty to giving intoxicating liquor to his son. Evidence was given that Hammond was seen to give the child beer. The boy insisted on having something 'like everyone else'. Mr Harold Tuffee for Hammond, said that the drink given on both occasions was shandy. It was as trivial a matter as it was possible to imagine."
19 Nov 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
ARP Lectures
"The first of the series of these lectures was given in the WI Hall on Thursday last week by Captain Spencer Tucker, the ARP officer, who gave a resume of previous talks on the subject, and said how important it was that the ordinary man, woman and senior child should know what to do in the event of a raid of any kind. In reply to a question, there was, he said, already a fire brigae team in Hartley and a warden for each quarter square mile. About 80 people were present."
25 Nov 1938 Nelson Leader
Pollard - Grummett Marriage
"Son of Nelson Cooperative Secretary - The wedding took place on Wednesday at the Hartley Parish Church, Kent, of Mr Herbert Holgate Pollard [1911-1999], son of Mr E Holgate Pollard, general secretary of the Nelson Cooperative Society Ltd and Mrs Holgate Pollard of Bentley Street, Nelson, and Miss Winifred G Grummett [1913-2006] daughter of Mrs Grummett and step daughter of Dr Jones of Hartley. Miss Grummett was engaged as a teacher in the employ of the London County Council. Following their honeymoon motoring in Cornwall, Mr and Mrs Holgate Pollard are to take up residence at Newport, Monmouthshire, where the bridegroom will be employed in the Government Audit Department of the Ministry of Health."
26 Nov 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
The Audience found the Intervals Irksome!"
Very favourable review of 'Dr Pygmalion' saying it "must rank as one of the most succesful shows they have put on. The delightful three act comedy by Harrison Owen, so pleased the audience that they would willingly have dispensed with the intervals, so anxious were they to see what happened in the next act...."
Ash Licensee Gives Drink to son aged 3
"Harry Carlisle Hammond, licensee of the White Swan, Ash, pleaded guilty on Friday last week, to giving intoxicating liquor to his son, under 5, and was fined £2 with £1 13s 6d costs. Supt W Austin said the boy was between 3 and 4 years of age. On September 28th, while workmen were having lunch in teh bar of the house, defendant drew the child some beer in a glass and gave it to him to drink. Two days before that and in similar circumstances, defendant gave the boy shandy. Mr Harold Tuffee, defending, pointed out that defendant cliamed he had never given the child beer alone.
Theophilus Lynds, Station Road, Longfield, said he was in the bar of the White Swan on September 28th and saw defendant give his son beer. 'I don't think the father realised he was doing any wrong. The boy insisted on having the same as everybody else,' witness added.
Mr Tuffee said Hammond gave the boy a small glsss of ginger beer with enough mild ale to colour it. 'This is as trivial a matter as it is possible to imagine,' Mr Tuffee added. 'I used to be told when I was a child that it was a sin to steal a pin, but surely there has to be some limit to the interference with one's private life. HOw many thousands of people in this country honestly and conscientiously think a little light beer is good for children. I am not asking you to say you agree with it, but a great number of people think it is good for children and not harmful.' The boy was brought into court, and Mr Tuffee described him as the 'apple of his father's eye.'
The chairman (Mr E R Blackman) said the magistrates did not take the view that it was a trivial case. They had to protect the very young and the law was passed for that purpose."
02 Dec 1938 Bromley & West Kent Mercury
Big Whist Drive: Conservatives' Divisional Final
"59 tables were occupied at Chislehurst Divisional Constitutional Association whist final at Orpington Village Hall on Thursday last week…." (boxes of cigarettes given to organisers) "… Prizewinners were as follows: Ladies: 1 Mrs W Clark, Hartley; 2 Mrs D Goodwin, Hartley.....Gentlemen: 1 Mr Storer, Hartley; 2 Mr C Goodwin, Hartley; 3 Mr F Goodwin, Hartley...."
03 Dec 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Hartley Left Book Club
"On Tuesday in the WI Hall, Major Vernon, of the Left Book Club, spoke on the question of Air Raid Precautions. He dealt with the grave problems that would have to be faced in the event of war. From experience gained in the Great War, he spoke of the difficulties of firing at an aeroplane with and degree of success, especially as now everything had been so speeded up. He thought high explosive bombs more serious even than gas. He considered gas masks fairly effective if they fitted properly, and to test these a gas chamber should be provided in all localities for tests to be made. The book sent round to householders by the government suggesting the provision of a shelter room, was, in his opinion, quite useless. The only shelters for the real safety of the people were tunnels, dug about 50 feet down. He quoted Prof Haldane, and said that shelter for everyone could be provided for £10 per person, less than one-fifth of the amount that is to be spent on armaments. The speaker wen on to say that it was the job of local people to study their own problems, and provide their own scheme if they were not satisfield with the local authorities. Many who took part in the subsequent debate disagreed with Major Vernon."
KM 10/12/1938 ARP should not be party catchwords
Letter about meeting from local Conservative Eira Barker, Heortlea, complaining "The account gives details of the first part of the speech, but ignores the second part, which did not mention ARP but was entirely political and violently anti-govnernment." She says ARP members put their political alliegances aside - "a service of citizenship".
KM 24/12/1938 ARP as a Political Issue
H J Barrow, Left Book Club secretary replies to Miss Barker, saying that the purpose of he meeting was to criticise "the lamentable neglect of the Government in the matter of civilian defence" and said this is the stated view of the Home Office's Chief ARP officer.
[Major Wilfred Vernon 1882-1975 is said to have confessed in 1952 to being a spy for the Soviets in the pre-war years. See Wikipedia article]
10 Dec 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Congregational Church
'Christmas Shop' at Country Club. "Charles Sizmur, chairman of Hartley Congregational Church, said they found there was not enough room for the various activities of the church, and they therefore built a church hall, now nearly complete. Mr Parkin, treasurer, said the building would cost about £400. When the idea was first mooted they had only £52 in hand, but friends had helped by lending the money required and it was hoped that that sale would help considerably......"
£1,301 War Crisis Cost to Dartford Rural Area
Dartford RDC has spent £1,301 on ARP and has Home Office sanction to buy Avenue House, South Darenth for £1,400. Swanscombe now say they want to join with Northfleet UDC but Northfleet wants to be on their own. Dartford RDC now has 1,637 volunteers, Swanscombe UDC 199. "In connection with the fire protection of the district it was decided to apply to the Home Office for permission to buy an engine and equipment and erect, or rent, a suitable building for a fire station at Hartley. It was stated that men were available for forming a brigade....."
21 Dec 1938 Times
Christmas buses
490A bus to run on Christmas Day up to 5pm
Car for Sale
Sale of 1931 Rolls for £495 by Mr Groom, cost £2,550
31 Dec 1938 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Air Raid Preparations
(1) Hartley - lecture series by Captain Spencer Tucker completed. Covered gas and first aid. Captain Spencer happy with audience. (2) Longfield - "In the Village Hall there has been, since the crisis, a series of lectures given by Capt Spencer Tucker and Mr Harris. At first they were well attended, but towards the end the attendance dropped off and at present everything seems at a dead end, but it is hoped things will liven up after Christmas. Tehre are not half enough volunteers, and at present, with the exception of gas masks, the village could not be protected if anything unforeseen happened, for most of the villagers are unprepared. An Auxiliary Fire Brigade was thought of, but as the adjoining village of Hartley has formed one, most of our volunteers have joined up there."