1943 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1940-1949
01 Jan 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Local News in Brief
(1) Social Club - Thrift club shared out £450; (2) Obituary of Miss Marjorie Barker (59) of Heort Lea
25 Jan 1943 News Chronicle
Stockings
Letter to paper: "When are the stocking manufacturers going to provide us with a really strong ladderless stocking and so save the hardworking women of England hours of their precious spare time spent in darning the flimsy rubbish they are now forced to wear. A new pair of stockings every week used to be a necessity to keep a girl's appearence decent; nowadays when her coupons are finished she had to go bare legged and risk chills. Rhoda M Brunt, Longfield, Kent." [1894-1980, she had fairly recently moved to Longfield, as she was living in Wycombe in 1939, but at the time her husband had got a job in Woolwich].
12 Feb 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
"The clerk reported that the Rural Council is taking steps to renew the printed instructions in each fire extinguisher, making clear the method of using them. On Miss Barker's suggestion it whoud also be made clear that the extinguishers are not to be used on incendiary bombs.
The ministry of Works and Planning wrote asking for the surrender of the railings round the war memorial. The chairman (Mr C Sizmur) said he had consulted the original donor of the railings, Mrs Robertson, who was willing that they should be given up for the war effort, and the council agreed.
The Chairman reported that the winding up of the Ash and District Sanitary Committee revealed a balance of £95 8s 10d, and that this had been disposed of by a gift of £30 each to the three nursing associations of Kingsdown, Ash and District, Hartley and Longfield. The balance £5 8s 10d was handed to the cker in recognition of his services. The clerk was instructed to call the attention of the rural Council to the agitation against increase in rates, which the council had no knowledge, and to ask for enlightenment on the subject."
Hartley WI
"Over 70 members and friends, including some members of Ash WI attended the 22nd birthday meeting on Thursday last week….."
19 Feb 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Articles for Sale
(1) "Geese & ganders for sale, 11 months old, also Rhode island Red Pullets, RIR and Khaki-Campbell hatching eggs - Sudds, Applegarth, Hartley, Longfield."; (2) "For sale, blue child's playing pen; Marmet Buffer Car; Savoury & Moore Baby Weighing Scales; Tourer Cot; Windsor Armchair; all good condition; Belling Electric Heater-Griller-Hotplate, new - Dallen, Hartley, Longfield 2249."
05 Mar 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Nanny Wanted
"Nannie-companion for mother, 3 little girls (1 day school); modern house; bus route; own cow, chickens, vegetables - Dallen, Hartley Manor Farmhouse, Longfield 2249."
12 Mar 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
Local Group Update
(1) Annual meeting of Hartley Folk Song and Dance Society, Miss Parker president, Mrs Keen secretary. Informal dances held first Saturday of month at Longfield Youth Centre Hut; (2) WI raise £20.10.8 for Aid to Russia Fund.
Hartley Parish Council Meeting
"At the March meeting a certificate was received from the Admiralty to commemorate Hartley's participation in the adoption of HMS Gloxinia as a result of Dartford's Warship Week. The clerk was instructed to have the certficate frames and exhibited at the Hartley Schools, the Post Office and the WI in that order, the Institute to be asked to give it a permanent home when it cam rount to them. A circular was received from the District Council calling attention to the liability of rabbits to tuberculosis, and in all suspicious cases the carcases should be sent for examination before consumption to the Sanitary Authority, Dartford. Infected rabbits are dangerous as food. The clerk read a memorandum from the District Council explaining the plans of the council for spreading local expenses over the whole rating area. The immediate item of interest is that of sewage which may result in a rate of 5d or possibly 6d in the Hartley area. The full implications of this as reflected in the new rates was left over to be explained at the parish meeting by Captain Bignell, who readily undertook this duty. A resolution of protest against the proposed regional rearrangements of district and parish council areas was received from the Wilmington Parish Council with request for Hartley's support in opposition to the plan. Discussion revealed a unanimous opinion that these changes would adversely affect the responsibilities of the parish councils particularly, and it was decided to support Wilmington's protests and to so notify Sir Waldron Smithers MP. As the donor of the War Memorial railings was reluctant to see them sent away, the supply department was notified and agreed to their non-removal."
[At the previous meeting the council had claimed the donor of the railings was OK with them being taken for scrap]
19 Mar 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Parish Assembly
"A protest against Dartford Rural Council's new spread over rating plans was made at the annual parish assembly on Wednesday last week. Mr Gray gave comparative rateable values of the parishes and said that per head of the population, the Hartley rate was already higher than in other villages in the Dartford Rural Area. Miss Chisholm said that people should not think only of their own pockets, but of the advantages accruing to the public as a whole arising from the expenditure of the rural council. The new spread over rating plans were explained by Captain CS Bignell, who pointed out that they would be to the ultimate benefit of the parish. There was warm applause when Mr Fielder drew attention to the splendid work being done by women in the parish, particularly as regards jam making and knitting comforts for the services."
26 Mar 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Beehives for Sale
Beehives for sale or whole apiary. Elphick, Ash Road
02 Apr 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Permission to Marry
"Marjorie Elizabeth Victoria Morton [1924-1995], Bayonne, Church Road, Hartley [Marsworth, Church Road. She married Ronald E Morfett at Brackley Northants in 1943], who appeared in WAAF uniform, also asked permission to marry. Her father said he would rather they waited unitl they were older and had more means. Permission granted."
16 Apr 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Articles for Sale
Poultry house for sale. MacDonald, Phoenix [now Stocks Mead, Church Road]. Nanny goat for sale - Selworthy [church road].
30 Apr 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
House for Sale at Hartley
"Well Built house for sale; main water, electric; buses pass; garage; £1,000 freehold - Coney, Hartley Bottom" [believed to be an estate agent]
14 May 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
(1) Shed and poultry house for sale. Alexander, Cavan, Church Road. Laying batteries, 24 poultry cages, fowl house. Parkins; (2) Auction notice "By order of the Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company Ltd as executors, Messrs Porter, Putt & Fletcher are instructed to submit to auction at the Masonic Hall, Gravesend on Wednesday 26th May 1943 at 3 o'clock precisely the freehold property known as Le Stock Farm, comprising detached house, containing entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and scullery combined, 3 bedrooms, wash house and coal store, good cellar. Together with about 1 acre 3 roods well planted with fruit trees, well planted with fruit trees. Substantial outbuildings. The whole having a total frontage to Church Road of 608 feet."; (3) Hartley exceed £5,000 Wings for Victory target by £365. Includes £165 from mock auction and £11 from two WI Whist Drives. Names of winners of children's drawing competition; (4) "Hartley is going all out to make its book drive for the Services and for salvage a success. Residenta are asked to ring Mr Passmore Bishop (Longfield 3143) for information. Books can also be taken to his house."
14 May 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Home Guard Anniversary
"To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the Home Guard, platoons from Southfleet, Longfield, Hartley, Fawkham, Ash and Kingsdown, representing 'A' company will attend the ceremonial parade of the 19th battalion at 3.30 on Sunday at the Farningham Cricket Ground.
the public are invited to witness the parade, and many interesting demonstrations will be given. There will be also a realistic depiction of the rise of the Home Guards from the LDV days to its present smooth running efficiency. A running commentary will be broadcast on each item.
14 May 1943 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Knocked out 5 Enemy Tanks in 12 minutes
"MC for gallant Kent Officer. With a great display of speed and accurate shooting, a tank troop commanded by Lieut Jack Mears RTR of Longfield (pictured), near Gravesend, knocked out five enemy tanks in 12 minutes from a battle line position near Medenine. Later, when his own tank had run out of armour piercing ammunition, Lieut. Mears enaged an enemy tank with delayed action HE and by manoevuring for position scored 3 direct hits and put it out of action. He has been awarded the Military Cross.
Lieut John Mears lives wiht his mother, Mrs P Mears, and sister Mrs J Robinson at Ross Lynn, Pescot Avenue, New Barn. He is serving with the 1st Army in North Africa. He was in the middle east for 3 years prior to the war, and has taken part in various campaigns against the Italians and has twice been slightly wounded."
21 May 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
County Association's First Wartime Show
Kent County Canine Association Show at Maidstone. Local Winners: Miss K M Raine, Longfield (Puppy 3rd; Daschunds 2nd & 3rd); Mrs Dorracott, Hartley (Bull Terrier 1st; Big breeds 2nd; Terriers (not fox) 1st; Sporting 1st; novice any variety 1st; maiden any variety 1st; beginners any variety 1st)
21 May 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Child Entertainers to Visit Southfleet and Hartley
"Miss Gwendolyn Randall [later Lynds, 1913-2001], formerly of Hartley, whose troupe of child entertainers has raised large sums for war charities, is to visit Southfleet and Hartley to give two shows for the Southfleet and Longfield British Legion Prisoners of War Fund. By means of this fund comforts are sent to local men in enemy prison camps. Miss Randall now has a dancing academy at Wolverton, Bucks. The performances will be at Southfield School this Saturday afternoon, and at Hartley Country Club the same evening."
[Gwendolyn Randall used to live at Ship Cottage, Church Road, by this time she had moved to Wolverton, a town now swallowed up by Milton Keynes; she married in 1940 but continued to use Randall as her stage name]
04 Jun 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
(1) "Fruit, vegetables, flowers, nuts etc etc purchased for cash, any quantities; empties supplied; transport arranged - Hemesley, Woodland, Hartley, Longfield, Kent Tel Longfield 2174 or Hemesley, Covent Garden. Tel Temple Bar 9372."; (2) "Wanted a Norweigan or Swedish spinning wheel - Poole, Homecot, Hartley, Dartford"
18 Jun 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Misuse of Motor Fuel
Graham Henry Wood [1889-1962] of Hatchlands, Hartley Hill, Hartley [Blue Firs, Church Road] pleaded guilty to using motor fuel for another purpose than that stipulated on his application form. He was fined 40 shillings and ordered to pay 14 shillings costs.
25 Jun 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Local Will
Mr William Lockwood of Le Stocks Farm, Hartley, who died on December 16, left £2,458 16s 11d gross, witn net personality £1,656 1s 3d. Subject to an annuity of £78 to his sister Clare Lockwood, he left the residue to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to further the national war effort.
16 Jul 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Girls Training Corps
Country Club - 483 company of Girls Training Corps dance at Country Club
[The GTC was started in 1942 for girls aged 14-20 with the idea of preparing them to support the war effort. Can't find what area 483 company covered.]
16 Jul 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Land for Sale at Fawkham
"By order of the personal representatives of Mr H White - Kent near Wrotham - Ridley Court Farm, 290 acres with Queen Anne farmhouse and farm buildings. All in the occupation of the Kent War Agricultural Executive Committee. Compensation Rent £215 per annum.
Also Pescot Field, Longfield, about 4¾ acres. In the occupation of the Kent WAEC.
Also by order of Mr Harry White - Pescot Land, Longfield and Hartley, about 27 acres. Partly in the occupation of the Kent WAEC and 3 bungalows, let on weekly tenancies.
To be sold by auction by Messrs Dann & Lucas on Tuesday 24th August 1943 at the Bull Hotel, Dartford in 3 lots." (Also in Dartford Chronicle 23.7.43)
23 Jul 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Cow and Pigs for Sale
Shorthorn cow and store pigs for sale - Glover, Hartley Bottom
23 Jul 1943 KM (Maidstone Telegraph)
Farm land to let
List of properties to be let by Kent War Agricultural Committee by tender include at Longfield: part New Barn Farm (16 acres), Part Pescot Farm (21a), land at Pescot Avenue (1a), Rectory Meadow (3a), land opposite the school (9a), part Longfield Court (15a)
13 Aug 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Inefficient Brakes
William H Heale [b 1911] of Ash Rd - inefficent brakes
13 Aug 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Country Club Sports Fair
"On August bank holiday a sports fair in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund was held at the Hartley Country Club sports ground A considerable sum was raised by various competitions and a collection taken on a captured swastika flag realised £13. Horse rides aranged by Mrs Hatten and helpers raised £11. The sports prizes were presented by Lieut-Col O Moseley, Officer Commanding 19th battalion Kent Home Guard, and Squadron Leader Johnson, RAF."
20 Aug 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Speeding Fine
"At Chatham on Monday, Edward Arthur Kitto [1904-1994], lorry driver, Black Lion Inn, Hartley, was fined 40 shillilngs for exceeding 30mph with a goods vehicle at Shorne."
22 Aug 1943 Times
Obituary of Charles Bate MscFarlane
Death of Charles Bate MacFarlane of Hartley House, director of William Dunn & Co Ltd
27 Aug 1943 Kent & Sussex Courier
Hartley Manor Farm to Let
"The committee invites tenders for the letting, in its present condition of Hartley Manor Farm, Hartley. The farm contains 129 acres and includes a bungalow and good farm buildings, providing accommodation for 50 cows. Additional land in the committee's occupation in the vicinity could be included in the tenancy if required. The tenancy will date fro 29th September 1943, and will be for 3 years to Michaelmas 1946, and thereafter from year to year."
03 Sep 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
Burglary at Stack Lane
"Henry Le Long, aged 20, a soldier in an infantry training company was remanded in custody until September 9th by the Dartford magistrates on Thursday last week on a charge of burglarously breaking into Beulah, Stack Lane, Hartley and stealing property worth [.....] shillings, the property of Percival Leonard Harris. PC Knight deposed how he cycled to Fawkham railway station where he saw Le Long in the waiting room and Harris identified a coat he was wearing. When charged with the offence, Le Long said 'It's OK. I took all the stuff except the purse.'"
Case Dismissed
"Hubert William Gladdish, Le Stock Farm, Hartley, was summoned at Maidstone on Tuesday for driving a car at excessive speed during the black out. His speed in London Road, Maidstone was stated to have varied between 30 and 35 mph. Defendant said the most he could get out of his car was 20 mph. The case was dismissed."
10 Sep 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Local News in Brief
(1) Erith Schoolboys of Country Club have been working on local farms; (2) Fr Camise McCarthy to be RC Priest; (3) Henry J Leiong (20) - burgled Beulah, Stack Lane (see also 22.10.43))
17 Sep 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Obituary of Lucy Weston
Obituary of Mrs Lucy M[atilda] Weston (86) of Anzac [now Hamilton], Church Rd
15 Oct 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Property Sale
"At auction, Messrs Dann and Lucas at the Bull Hotel, Dartford, on Wednesday last week, sold for £2,000 to Mr J Barker, Pescot land at Longfield and Hartley, comprising 23 acres 3 roods and 18 perches, and including 2 bungalows (one vacant) and a range of brick and slated buildings. A second lot, Pescot Field and Longfield, comprising 4 acres 3 roods and 14 perches fell to Mr S S Stewart for £500."
19 Nov 1943 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)
Local News in Brief
(1) "C M Ellerby - All classes of Agricultural Contracting, including - row crop cultivation, draining, pipe laying, ploughing, pressing and drilling combined, land clearing & levelling, rise ploughing, subsoiling, mowing, binding, transport. Longfield 3195."; (2) Dance at Country Club for HMS Gloxinia, corvette adopted by DRDC; (3) Alsatian pups for sale - Mrs Larkin, Jessern, Ash Road
26 Nov 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Local News in Brief
(1) Country Club - licence to serve light refreshments; (2) For Sale: Freehold building plots 50'xl901 for £96
10 Dec 1943 Dartford Chronicle
Local News in Brief
Road Works in Ash Road
"A long standing complaint by Hartley parishioners, of water collecting at the junction of Ash Road and St John's Lane, had been dealt with, under instructions by the local Defence Emergency Committee. Mr W Wright, chairman of the Highways Committee, took strong objection to the matter being dealt with by the Emergency Committee, and said he had neither been consulted or informed. The Chairman (Capt Bignell) said the matter had received the attention of the Emergency Committee because the use of a well, which was now an emergency water supply, was involved. It was also stated that a letter from Hartley Parish Council on the matter had been previously considered by the Highways Committee."
[Another suggestion here that the sacking of Mr Wright by Hartley Parish Council may have been motivated by personalities.]
HMS Gloxinia
(1) Letter from Commander Gloxinia thanking parish for books & games; (2) Ernest H Constable [1909-1982] of Cranmere, Church Rd - speeding