RAF Bovingdon - 1960s
Thanks very much FP. Much appreciated. On the web archive link that you've given I keep being prompted by 'Hostinger' which personally (as a confirmed flat-earther) I wouldn't use and you can't access the site properly without using them. Presumably the author Paul Browne withdrew the link for a reason so probably best to let sleeping dogs lie ? I dunno what others might think ?
All the best Tom.
All the best Tom.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 13th Aug 2023 at 18:51. Reason: slight addition
Progress at Bovingdon
BOVINGDON DISQUALIFIED....
It is a little known fact that Bovingdon's entry to the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show Garden Competition 2017 Theme 'Greening Grey Britain' was sadly disqualified on the grounds of the failure to complete an erection in the stipulated time frame. Bovingdon sources blamed unforseen logistics difficulties when Her Majesty's Prison Service, who were to supply some of the manpower required, objected to the presence of a Squadron of Chinooks in such close proximity to their Establishment. Such a pity when you can see what we might have been up against - a Silver Gilt was surely within our grasp.........
Nigel Dunnett's Garden Chelsea 2017
Photographed in 2015 shortly before disassembly for Chelsea, having failed to be shortlisted for The Turner Prize.
However all is not lost !
A couple of links here. The plans for The Tower are most interesting !
https://www.cinematography.world/bov...erplan-vision/
https://docs.planning.org.uk/2022051...bd14kwlx2l.pdf
It is a little known fact that Bovingdon's entry to the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show Garden Competition 2017 Theme 'Greening Grey Britain' was sadly disqualified on the grounds of the failure to complete an erection in the stipulated time frame. Bovingdon sources blamed unforseen logistics difficulties when Her Majesty's Prison Service, who were to supply some of the manpower required, objected to the presence of a Squadron of Chinooks in such close proximity to their Establishment. Such a pity when you can see what we might have been up against - a Silver Gilt was surely within our grasp.........
Nigel Dunnett's Garden Chelsea 2017
Photographed in 2015 shortly before disassembly for Chelsea, having failed to be shortlisted for The Turner Prize.
However all is not lost !
A couple of links here. The plans for The Tower are most interesting !
https://www.cinematography.world/bov...erplan-vision/
https://docs.planning.org.uk/2022051...bd14kwlx2l.pdf
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 17th Aug 2023 at 11:44.
Heinkel 177 at Bovingdon (With Drift)
I had no idea that a Heinkel 177 had visited Bovingdon until I saw a photograph thought to have been taken at the airfield. I looked at John Young's diary and it is on his list. I read that Winkle Brown had flown a Heinkel 177 and wondered if he had listed it amongst his most or least favourite of aeroplanes flown - then I realised I had lent my copy of his recent biography to a friend. So I had a listen to Winkle on 'You Tube' where he dismissed the 177 in one imperious word, "Disasterous !" This, Germany's only heavy Bomber, designed initially as a long-range Glide-Dive Bomber powered by twin coupled side by side Daimler-Benz engines which had a propensity to overheat and set the aircraft afire, a weakness that persisted throughout the type's short operational life (1943-1944). This was combined with a long, slow period of development and testing and an erratic production of an aircraft which was finally put into service without being fully proven. At great and wasted expenditure upwards of a thousand or more were eventually built. Nevertheless when serviceable and operating in optimum conditions the Heinkel 177 could pack a very lethal punch. I'm not sure how I came across this first photograph........
Image: Nicol Family via Aviation-Ancienne.fr
At Toulouse Blanac period September-November 1944. These are thought to be members of the French Dor Group who obtained enemy aircraft after the Germans had fled. There is a story about L. Nicol whose head is circled. I will include it in a postscript as I'm limited to the amount of stuff I can download per post. More importantly the aircraft is Heinkel 177A-5 Wk-Nr 550256.
550256 in French markings location unknown but probably either at Toulouse or Villacoublay.
This aircraft was surrendered to the Resistance/Dor Group at Toulouse in September 1944. It was then overhauled by SNCASE at Toulouse and test flown by Col Watson USAAF (of Watson's Whizzers) on 28th November 1944 and flown to Villacoublay on the same day. Here on this bombed and flattened aerodrome it came into the care of the 10th Depot Repair Squadron where it was fitted with radios and received further maintenance. On 14th January 1945 it was flown from Villacoublay to RAE Farnborough by Squadron Leader Randrup.
550256 Location unknown but very likely at Villacoublay with what looks like an American truck visible.
Photo:Robert Forsyth with thanks. This was originally thought to be at Bovingdon. However the distant buildings seen behind the port tail-plane resemble more those at Farnborough (near threshold R/W 24) rather than those at Bovingdon.
On the 19th January 1945 the Heinkel was flown to Bovingdon where it remained until February 9th 1945 when it was flown to Orly (there is some uncertainty here because the aircraft was being ferried to the USA and some sources say it diverted into Orly with an engine failure). However an engine change was made at Orly and the Heinkel attempted to depart from there on 28th February 1945 but burst a tyre on takeoff, ground looped, broke its fuselage and was damaged beyond repair.
Meanwhile there had been a second Heinkel 177 A-5 at Toulouse Wk-Nr 550062 this was flown to Farnborough on 10th September 1944 and given the serial number TS439.
Source: britmodeller.com
550062 in French markings at Farnborough.
As TS439 in British markings.
Aware that the Americans had lost 550256 RAE Farnborough gifted TS439 to them.The Heinkel had already been flown to Boscombe Down on 20th February 1945 where it was later dismantled and shipped to the USA. On arrival in America it was discovered to have an unserviceable engine and disappeared unflown into the mists of time.
MARITIME OPERATIONS
The Heinkel 177 proved to be a suitable platform for the use of the Henschel HS293 Guided Bomb - one being carried below each wing. Demonstration launch from a Heinkel He 111 seen here:
Image benjidog.co.uk
This is the SS Marsa of Court Line (Yes the same multi-coloured outfit that were my erstwhile employers - I was so proud of the small number of shares I once held!) .
The Marsa was part of Convoy SL139/MKS30 sailing from Gibraltar to Britain when attacked not only by U boats but also Heinkel 177s on November 21st 1943.
Source Aviastar.org Aircraft Profile #234.
Henschel HS293 sinks HMT Rohna. The sinking of the Rohna (British India Line) sailing from Oran to Alexandria in Convoy KMF26 in the Mediterranean on the late afternoon of 26th November 1943 resulted in the largest loss of life at sea of American servicemen in WW2. Heavy losses were inflicted on the 22 Heinkel 177s that had departed Bordeaux Merignac earlier that day to attack the convoy. Only six managed to penetrate the Allies' air defences. At the time this incident was hushed up in the USA and to a lesser extent in Britain and then after the war rather forgotten about. I'll put a video as a Postscript - it's a bit long but not without interest and thankfully devoid of all the sensationalism that you often find on the internet.
OPERATION STEINBOCK/CAPRICORN.
Heinkel HS177 A-3 loading an SC1800 (kg) bomb.
This is referred to in modern parlance as Britain's Mini Blitz which was concentrated on London and the South Coast ports west to Plymouth and Cardiff and north to Hull.
This last throw of the dice from an ailing Luftwaffe occurred over a period from January 21st 1944 until early May 1944. Britain suffered much damage and a not inconsiderable loss of life. The Luftwaffe aircraft comprised mostly of Ju88s and Do217s with comparatively smaller numbers of Heinkel 177s which operated from Chateaudun in The Loire and Rheine in Germany. It was initially planned that the Heinkel 177s would to fly low to the European coast and then climb to altitude over the sea before commencing a shallow dive towards their target which would often be marked.The return to base being made at a low level. Fortunately by this stage of the war Mosquito night-fighters were swarming in the darkness.........Heinkel 177 kills listed below.
F8+HH. 21st January 1944. Whitmore Vale near Hindhead, Surrey. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 151 Squadron. (First Heinkel 177 downed in Britain).
5J+2L. 22nd January 1944. At sea 6 miles s/e Hastings, Sussex. Crew ordered to bale out at 20,000ft due engine failure. 2 crew did so and were wind-blown to successfully land near Hastings. Remaining 4 crew shot down and missing - 2 bodies later recovered washed up from sea. Mosquito 85 Squadron.
5J+QL. 23rd February 1944. Wolsey Farm, Yoxford, Suffolk. Crew: 5 killed 1 POW (seriously injured). Mosquito 25 Squadron.
5J+PK. 24th February 1944. Chequers Farm, Lamberhurst, Kent. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 missing. Mosquito 488 Squadron.
5J+PK wreckage in hop field. Image: Aircrew Remembered.
6N+KK. 2nd March 1944. Hammer Wood near East Grinstead, Sussex. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 seriously injured and repatriated. Mosquito 151 Squadron.
6N+KK. Image Parry via Aircrew Remembered.
6N+DK. 20th March 1944. At sea off Skegness, Lincolnshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 307 Squadron.
6N+AK. 19th April 1944. Butler's Farm near Ashdon, Essex. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 410 Squadron.
6N+AK Photo Julian Evan-Hart and David Stuckey.
6N+1K. 21st April 1944. At sea 40 miles east of Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 264 Squadron.
Finis
Further Reading: Heinkel He177 Units of World War 2. By Robert Forsyth. Osprey Publishing 2018.
Image: Nicol Family via Aviation-Ancienne.fr
At Toulouse Blanac period September-November 1944. These are thought to be members of the French Dor Group who obtained enemy aircraft after the Germans had fled. There is a story about L. Nicol whose head is circled. I will include it in a postscript as I'm limited to the amount of stuff I can download per post. More importantly the aircraft is Heinkel 177A-5 Wk-Nr 550256.
550256 in French markings location unknown but probably either at Toulouse or Villacoublay.
This aircraft was surrendered to the Resistance/Dor Group at Toulouse in September 1944. It was then overhauled by SNCASE at Toulouse and test flown by Col Watson USAAF (of Watson's Whizzers) on 28th November 1944 and flown to Villacoublay on the same day. Here on this bombed and flattened aerodrome it came into the care of the 10th Depot Repair Squadron where it was fitted with radios and received further maintenance. On 14th January 1945 it was flown from Villacoublay to RAE Farnborough by Squadron Leader Randrup.
550256 Location unknown but very likely at Villacoublay with what looks like an American truck visible.
Photo:Robert Forsyth with thanks. This was originally thought to be at Bovingdon. However the distant buildings seen behind the port tail-plane resemble more those at Farnborough (near threshold R/W 24) rather than those at Bovingdon.
On the 19th January 1945 the Heinkel was flown to Bovingdon where it remained until February 9th 1945 when it was flown to Orly (there is some uncertainty here because the aircraft was being ferried to the USA and some sources say it diverted into Orly with an engine failure). However an engine change was made at Orly and the Heinkel attempted to depart from there on 28th February 1945 but burst a tyre on takeoff, ground looped, broke its fuselage and was damaged beyond repair.
Meanwhile there had been a second Heinkel 177 A-5 at Toulouse Wk-Nr 550062 this was flown to Farnborough on 10th September 1944 and given the serial number TS439.
Source: britmodeller.com
550062 in French markings at Farnborough.
As TS439 in British markings.
Aware that the Americans had lost 550256 RAE Farnborough gifted TS439 to them.The Heinkel had already been flown to Boscombe Down on 20th February 1945 where it was later dismantled and shipped to the USA. On arrival in America it was discovered to have an unserviceable engine and disappeared unflown into the mists of time.
MARITIME OPERATIONS
The Heinkel 177 proved to be a suitable platform for the use of the Henschel HS293 Guided Bomb - one being carried below each wing. Demonstration launch from a Heinkel He 111 seen here:
Image benjidog.co.uk
This is the SS Marsa of Court Line (Yes the same multi-coloured outfit that were my erstwhile employers - I was so proud of the small number of shares I once held!) .
The Marsa was part of Convoy SL139/MKS30 sailing from Gibraltar to Britain when attacked not only by U boats but also Heinkel 177s on November 21st 1943.
Source Aviastar.org Aircraft Profile #234.
Henschel HS293 sinks HMT Rohna. The sinking of the Rohna (British India Line) sailing from Oran to Alexandria in Convoy KMF26 in the Mediterranean on the late afternoon of 26th November 1943 resulted in the largest loss of life at sea of American servicemen in WW2. Heavy losses were inflicted on the 22 Heinkel 177s that had departed Bordeaux Merignac earlier that day to attack the convoy. Only six managed to penetrate the Allies' air defences. At the time this incident was hushed up in the USA and to a lesser extent in Britain and then after the war rather forgotten about. I'll put a video as a Postscript - it's a bit long but not without interest and thankfully devoid of all the sensationalism that you often find on the internet.
OPERATION STEINBOCK/CAPRICORN.
Heinkel HS177 A-3 loading an SC1800 (kg) bomb.
This is referred to in modern parlance as Britain's Mini Blitz which was concentrated on London and the South Coast ports west to Plymouth and Cardiff and north to Hull.
This last throw of the dice from an ailing Luftwaffe occurred over a period from January 21st 1944 until early May 1944. Britain suffered much damage and a not inconsiderable loss of life. The Luftwaffe aircraft comprised mostly of Ju88s and Do217s with comparatively smaller numbers of Heinkel 177s which operated from Chateaudun in The Loire and Rheine in Germany. It was initially planned that the Heinkel 177s would to fly low to the European coast and then climb to altitude over the sea before commencing a shallow dive towards their target which would often be marked.The return to base being made at a low level. Fortunately by this stage of the war Mosquito night-fighters were swarming in the darkness.........Heinkel 177 kills listed below.
F8+HH. 21st January 1944. Whitmore Vale near Hindhead, Surrey. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 151 Squadron. (First Heinkel 177 downed in Britain).
5J+2L. 22nd January 1944. At sea 6 miles s/e Hastings, Sussex. Crew ordered to bale out at 20,000ft due engine failure. 2 crew did so and were wind-blown to successfully land near Hastings. Remaining 4 crew shot down and missing - 2 bodies later recovered washed up from sea. Mosquito 85 Squadron.
5J+QL. 23rd February 1944. Wolsey Farm, Yoxford, Suffolk. Crew: 5 killed 1 POW (seriously injured). Mosquito 25 Squadron.
5J+PK. 24th February 1944. Chequers Farm, Lamberhurst, Kent. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 missing. Mosquito 488 Squadron.
5J+PK wreckage in hop field. Image: Aircrew Remembered.
6N+KK. 2nd March 1944. Hammer Wood near East Grinstead, Sussex. Crew: 2 killed 3 POW 1 seriously injured and repatriated. Mosquito 151 Squadron.
6N+KK. Image Parry via Aircrew Remembered.
6N+DK. 20th March 1944. At sea off Skegness, Lincolnshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 307 Squadron.
6N+AK. 19th April 1944. Butler's Farm near Ashdon, Essex. Crew: 2 killed 4 POW. Mosquito 410 Squadron.
6N+AK Photo Julian Evan-Hart and David Stuckey.
6N+1K. 21st April 1944. At sea 40 miles east of Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Crew: 6 missing. Mosquito 264 Squadron.
Finis
Further Reading: Heinkel He177 Units of World War 2. By Robert Forsyth. Osprey Publishing 2018.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 29th Aug 2023 at 21:57. Reason: Correction.
Post Script
In the first image of my previous post a figure is circled. His name was Lucien Nicol and he was an RO/Gunner on a Junkers 88 operated by the Dor Group and he was killed when his aircraft crashed on take off on November 13th 1944. https://aerocherche-fr.translate.goo..._x_tr_pto=wapp
Now this Dor group business is a bit confusing to a non French Speaker: Marcel Doret's Group first formed at Tarbes-Ossun in July 1944 using aircraft abandoned by the retreating Germans Their first escadrille consisted of the very fine Dewoitine D520 fighter aircraft. When the Germans evacuated Toulouse on August 22nd 1944 SNCA Sud-Est employees and former Armee de l'air personnel seized all the airworthy aircraft and those undergoing maintenance. The two elements thus forming on September 16th 1944 Marcel Doret's Group de Chasse. First sorties had been flown from late August 1944 and consisted of training, reconnaissance, ground attack and bomber escort duties. The following Video shows their Ju88s at Bordeaux, Merignac during the clearance of the Atlantic Pockets ( a raid on Pointe de Grave April 1945) with a Wikipedia link as a follow up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royan_pocket
Link here for Michael Randrup RAE:
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profiles.php?person=76
Now this Dor group business is a bit confusing to a non French Speaker: Marcel Doret's Group first formed at Tarbes-Ossun in July 1944 using aircraft abandoned by the retreating Germans Their first escadrille consisted of the very fine Dewoitine D520 fighter aircraft. When the Germans evacuated Toulouse on August 22nd 1944 SNCA Sud-Est employees and former Armee de l'air personnel seized all the airworthy aircraft and those undergoing maintenance. The two elements thus forming on September 16th 1944 Marcel Doret's Group de Chasse. First sorties had been flown from late August 1944 and consisted of training, reconnaissance, ground attack and bomber escort duties. The following Video shows their Ju88s at Bordeaux, Merignac during the clearance of the Atlantic Pockets ( a raid on Pointe de Grave April 1945) with a Wikipedia link as a follow up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royan_pocket
Link here for Michael Randrup RAE:
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profiles.php?person=76
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 29th Aug 2023 at 22:17. Reason: Link added for Michael Randrup RAE
Situations Vacant
24th April 1953. Bucks Examiner (BNA)
I was quite taken with the qualifications that were necessary to be employed by 'Goya' in Amersham. I don't think that I would qualify today. The Sweet Peas that I grew for cutting this Summer appear to have little or no scent. However it could be that my sense of smell is failing with age....... I think the vacancy at The USAF NCO Club at Bovingdon was advertised twice. It was evidently eventually filled to the satisfaction of all as James R Murphy who served as a Radio Operator on the C47s of 7531st Air Base Squadron at Bovingdon (C1952-55) relates: 'The club was, of course, the famous (and notorious) most beloved military watering hole in the entire world - The Bovingdon NCO Club. Everybody belonged to the club. The board of governors consisted of all the senior NCOs including our beloved Italian Cook ( stuffed pork chops - ham and cheese with tomato omelettes - fudge cookies with fudge icing ). They encouraged Ken, our favourite Irish bartender to be lenient when pouring out our highballs. We usually got a double. Our club was not the place for a recovering alcoholic.........
Further reading. 'Peon to Pentagon' by Dr James Murphy 2001.
4th April 1956 Bucks Examiner.
27th September 1957 Bucks Examiner
23rd August 1957. Bucks Examiner.
MESS BILL SETTLED (No1/11 COMBAT CREW REPLACEMENT CENTRE BOVINGDON.)
Lt Thomas A Parks Pilot. Lt J Sweeney Navigator. Lt E Bason Co-Pilot. Lt J Le Blanc Bombardier. Image Tom Parks Junior with thanks.
Shortly after settling the bill Thomas Parks and his crew who had arrived at Bovingdon by sea from America during the first week of September 1943 left the CCRC to join the 339th Bomb Squadron, part of the 96th Bomb Group at Snetterton Heath, Norfolk.
Snetterton Heath, Norfolk. Image American Air Museum in Britain.
Tom Parks and his crew would be shot down in B17 42-3546 at Eystrup 28 miles south-east of Bremen, Germany on 29th November 1943. The entire crew of 10 baled out and were taken Prisoners of War. Their story, in part, is told here by Tom Parks jnr : https://aboxofoldletters.com/2016/08...hogans-heroes/:
CHOW AT SHIPDHAM NOT SO GOOD AS BOVINGDON BUT WITH A CHANGE OF DIET IN SWITZERLAND.
Lt Sidney Bolick a Canadian pilot in the RAF transferred to the USAAF and found himself at the CCRC Bovingdon in February 1943. Here he writes about the Officers' Mess: 'Unlike the RAF, the USAAF Officers' Mess didn't have waiters. The food was served cafeteria style on metal mess trays, and although there were table cloths on the tables, the glasses and cutlery were strictly government issue. But from there on the advantage definitely went to the Americans. I could hardly believe my eyes when the dinner was served up. There was fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green peas and jello salad. And wonder of all wonders, ice cream for dessert. I would learn that all USAAF meals were not like this. Bovingdon was a sort of showplace, being so close to headquarters in London, and even for Bovingdon this Sunday dinner was a bit above average. But after eating RAF Chow for nearly a year, I was sure I had died and gone to heaven'. Many of the thousands of crewmen who passed through Bovingdon's Combat Crew Replacement Centre would be killed in action but Sidney Bolick would not be one of them. Much to his puzzlement having just been checked out on the B17 at Bovingdon he found himself, as yet uncrewed posted on March 13th 1943 to the 68th Bomb Squadron of the 44th BG operating B24 Liberators at Shipdham, Norfolk. Here the chow was definitely not as good as at Bovingdon but he did acquire a liking for Spam and variations thereof.
Shipdham The 44th Taxying out. Image American Air Museum in Britain.
Sidney Bolick remained without a permanent crew for some considerable time but acted as a spare co-pilot with spells as a tail gunner building up combat experience. In early March 1944 Lt Hollis R Nichols invited Bolick to join his crew as co-pilot. On 18th March 1944 they were flying B24 42-100112 (Paper Doll).
B24 42-100112 'Paper Doll' at Shipdham. Image Everything B24.
On the 18th March 1944 the 8TH USAAF mounted a deep penetration raid on aerodromes and aircraft factories near Munich and Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany. 738 Heavy Bombers were dispatched from England their fighter escorts numbered 758 aircraft. 43 Heavy Bombers were lost of which 16 came down in Switzerland. The 44th Bomb Group was tasked with bombing the Dornier works near Friedrichshafen. The target was obscured in part by smokescreens set on Lake Constance and bombing was by markers. Unfortunately the 44th had to go around for a second run due to B17s bombing directly below them which resulted in very heavy damage from Flak and enemy fighters. Despite this the target was successfully bombed. On the second run 'Paper Doll' suffered an engine failure and made for Switzerland. Details can be read in the following link. You need to scroll down to 18th March 1944 and look for Hollis R Nichol's Crew. http://www.greenharbor.com/ROHPDF/ROHMar44.pdf
'Paper Doll' - crew having bailed out - crashed near Dietschwil, Switzerland. Image: American Air Museum in Britain.
Caterpillar Club Badge awarded to Lt J.S. McNamara Navigator 42-100112 'Paper Doll'. (Recently Sold). Perhaps one of quite a few issued for that particular raid ?
Incidentally on parachuting into Switzerland the crew were detained and entered a period of captivity. In late September 1944 Sidney Bolick escaped over the border to France and was repatriated from a farmer's field outside Annecy by a C47 which took him to Bovingdon. There over four days he was debriefed, issued with new uniforms and returned to his unit at Shipdham. Shortly thereafter he was returned to the USA. Further reading: 'To soar with Eagles' by Sidney Bolick 2002.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 23rd Sep 2023 at 09:09. Reason: Bolick repatriated to Bovingdon
Not only GOYA but in nearby Chesham, there were other perfume factories such as Lancome and L'Oreal (other things too like Atlas Pencils and Van Houten chocolate). It was in fact, Honey Monster, who was on my ATC squadron and gliding school, who discovered an advert for National Air Traffic Control Sevices and inspired me to follow in his footsteps; he was already stationed at Farnborough when I was posted in there!
It was Honey Monster who introduced me to going to Bovingdon to 'scrounge' flights; there were a number of cadets who did this in the '60s from most of the surrounding squadrons eg Chesham, Berkhamstead, Hemel Hempstead, Watford and I remember one who I met one year at Bovingdon and next year he was there again but wearing the uniform of a Halton 'brat' having joined up in the intervening year. There was even a 'special' booking in log at the guardroom specially for cadets and separate from the 'normal' airfield visitors.
Last edited by chevvron; 20th Sep 2023 at 10:56.
Having racked my brains, I think it was a company called 'Dewhurst' who took over the Brazils factory; they still produced pork products but it never seemed as good.
Last time I drove through Old Amersham, there was a Tesco where the old meat factory used to be. The GOYA factory was still there but I seem to remember the facade was listed and they had demolished the main building but kept the front of the building intact and re-built behind it.
NB: I've added a bit to #606 above.
Last time I drove through Old Amersham, there was a Tesco where the old meat factory used to be. The GOYA factory was still there but I seem to remember the facade was listed and they had demolished the main building but kept the front of the building intact and re-built behind it.
NB: I've added a bit to #606 above.
Last edited by chevvron; 20th Sep 2023 at 11:22.
Yes I was chewing over Brazil's sausages and seem to remember when eating them as a child that they were full of gristle - however my memory is not that good and they may well have been Wall's sausages which I seem to remember were pretty dire and a challenge to the gnashers.
SPY ON A BIKE
Somewhere in the recesses of my muddled mind I seemed to remember something about a radio receiver hidden in a Bovingdon Pub...........
' The Bull ' at Bovingdon. Alas no longer a Public House.
Bucks Examiner 31 May 1985. (BNA)
A poor reproduction only available. It seems that this is a Philips wireless that was discovered in a boarded-up alcove in the attic of The Bull. Speculation here that it might have held sinister connotations. Fifty years had passed since the end of the war - the remains of a newspaper dated September 23rd 1939 can be seen. Perhaps years ago someone had purchased the set from what we used to call Government Surplus Dealers and taken the wireless to the attic where they had played with it - who knows? If there had been a spy there wouldn't have much to spy on in Bovingdon before 1942. Then as now there was not much to report about the place - perhaps a few stray bombs in 1940 and 1941. Best to obtain a Bicycle and widen the net to a radius of say 15 miles. Which means that Irvin Air Chutes in Letchworth is beyond a visit as are the large factory premises of Williamson Manufacturing in Willesden Green who are supplying Cameras to The Royal Air Force.
Now what exactly was going on in the back of this shop ? !
And what was Station Z ?
More to come tonight............
' The Bull ' at Bovingdon. Alas no longer a Public House.
Bucks Examiner 31 May 1985. (BNA)
A poor reproduction only available. It seems that this is a Philips wireless that was discovered in a boarded-up alcove in the attic of The Bull. Speculation here that it might have held sinister connotations. Fifty years had passed since the end of the war - the remains of a newspaper dated September 23rd 1939 can be seen. Perhaps years ago someone had purchased the set from what we used to call Government Surplus Dealers and taken the wireless to the attic where they had played with it - who knows? If there had been a spy there wouldn't have much to spy on in Bovingdon before 1942. Then as now there was not much to report about the place - perhaps a few stray bombs in 1940 and 1941. Best to obtain a Bicycle and widen the net to a radius of say 15 miles. Which means that Irvin Air Chutes in Letchworth is beyond a visit as are the large factory premises of Williamson Manufacturing in Willesden Green who are supplying Cameras to The Royal Air Force.
Now what exactly was going on in the back of this shop ? !
And what was Station Z ?
More to come tonight............
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 20th Sep 2023 at 19:58.
A clandestine radio station in Bovingdon would have had little traffic to be listened to, the closest airfields in Sep 1939 were :
RAF Halton
Denham
Booker.
Leavesden wasn't built until 1940; Cheddington/Long Marston and Bovingdon in 1942; the 'interrogation centre' at Latimer was much later in the war.
There was apparently (can't find any information about it) a 'signals unit' established at Chenies, about 4 miles south of Bovingdon in 1930 and operated by Bomber Command. When the GCI/ROTOR station (an impressively big radar station) was built at Chenies on the same site in the mid '50s, it was called 'No 136 Signals Unit'.
I can only surmise that this radio found at Bovingdon was something to do with the signals unit unit at Chenies.
RAF Halton
Denham
Booker.
Leavesden wasn't built until 1940; Cheddington/Long Marston and Bovingdon in 1942; the 'interrogation centre' at Latimer was much later in the war.
There was apparently (can't find any information about it) a 'signals unit' established at Chenies, about 4 miles south of Bovingdon in 1930 and operated by Bomber Command. When the GCI/ROTOR station (an impressively big radar station) was built at Chenies on the same site in the mid '50s, it was called 'No 136 Signals Unit'.
I can only surmise that this radio found at Bovingdon was something to do with the signals unit unit at Chenies.
SPY ON A BIKE (Continued)
This list is by no means complete, I have perhaps tried to pick the best of the crop from each location. Generally I have avoided service establishments but have included a couple of unusual examples.
Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Gossard Ltd. Parachutes, Sails, Kite Ballons, Kites, Single-seater Aircraft Dinghies and of course a very lucrative contract to supply Bras for all serving female personnel.
Dunstable, Beds. Thermo Plastics Ltd. Acetate sheeting for air frame fillets and Perspex for aircraft radomes and gun turrets. Henry Hughes and Sons (Husun). Navigational instruments, Compasses, Sextants, etc. Aeronautical and Nautical.
Luton, Beds. Percival Aircraft Co Ltd. Production lines for the early Proctors, Airspeed Oxford and DH Mosquito. Napier/English Electric. Test centre established for Sabre engine development.
The Percival Factory and airport received very light bomb damage on August 30th 1940 when 59 people were killed in Luton, the majority of whom were at the nearby Vauxhall Works. On September 24th 1940 two parachute mines fell on the airport, one caused considerable damage to a row of cottages near the Factory whilst the other, without detonating, lodged itself in the Factory Roof. Bomb Disposal Squad recovered and defused the mine.
Photo Jamie Glass.
Hatfield, Herts. de Havilland Aircraft Company. Mosquito Production Line. On October 3rd 1940 a single Junkers 88 bombed the factory killing 21 people and injuring 70.
The Factory Gunners shot down the Junkers 88 and the crew were taken into custody.
Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Brocks Fireworks. This famous firm along with several others e.g. Standard Fireworks produced Marker Flares for Bomber Command.
Tring, Herts. HMS Aeolus. Supply depot at the rear of 51, High Street, Tring. Supplying Kite Ballons, Box Kites and many of the products from Gossard at Leighton Buzzard and Amersham Prints. Their depot being almost equi-distant between the two factories and with good rail links. Image of 51 High Street on previous posting.
Photo Mike Bass Team Parish.
Well and truly up the creek (Nearest navigable water The Grand Union Canal). The Happy Ship's Company and 'Staff' of HMS AEOLUS at Tring on VE Day 1945.
Princes Risborough, Bucks. Risborough Furniture Company/Phillips and Powis. The factory was requisitioned by The Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) for the production of Miles Masters.
Photo Whiteleaf Furniture.
The factory at Princes Risborough post-war. Probably somewhat enlarged since the end of the war.
Chesham, Bucks. The Empire Works. At the old Empire Picture Hall near 'The Backs' and Station Road. Assorted Aircraft Parts. Webb Foulger (Brush Manufacturers) Mosquito Fuselage Components. Aircraft Propellers are also said to have been produced in Chesham but no details are available.
Leavesden Aerodrome, Herts. de Havilland at Factory 2 producing Mosquitoes and London Aircraft Production Group at Factory 1 final assembly H.P. Halifax. The first pilots from the ATA who were converting to Halifaxes were often taken on training flights to Bovingdon, the 3000ft runway at Leavesden being less than ideal for the purpose.
Photo London Transport Museum. Finishing touches at Leavesden.
Radlett Airfield, Herts. Handley Page Ltd. Production of HP Hampden and HP Halifax.
Photo St Albans Museum. Hampdens at Radlett.
Old Amersham, Bucks. Amersham Prints (Fabric Printers) Kite Ballons, Fins for Barrage Balloons, Aircraft Dinghies, Parachutes and ASR equipment. Located in the Old Maltings which had previously been a dance hall thus providing an ideal floor for production. Only a small part of the hall is visible in the image below. On completion every balloon was inflated to check for leaks. A very strong glue was used in the construction of these products.
Photo Amersham Museum, Alison Bailey.
Watford, Herts. Sun Engraving Company. 1.5 Billion Propaganda Leaflets and copious amounts of 'Window'. The printing of 'Tactical Targets' (Aerial and other Reconnaissance for D.Day) also a Munitions Department producing, among other stuff, stub axles for Hamilcar Gliders. Odhams (Watford) Millions of Propaganda Leaflets and aircraft repairs for MAP.
Photo Sun Printers' History Gallery.
Aldenham, Herts. The huge London Transport Depot by the A41. London Aircraft Production Group. Construction of HP Halifax forward and centre sections. On completion these would be transported down the A41 to Leavesden for final assembly.
Photo London Transport Museum.
High Wycombe, Bucks. The home of British Furniture and Wooden Aircraft Manufacturing in both World Wars. E.Gomme Ltd (G Plan) Wings and struts for Tiger Moths. Hughenden Furniture parts for Phillips and Powis Magisters and Masters. Parker Knoll, Styles and Mealing, Heathland Furniture, Dancer and Hearne, Walter Baker: Mosquito and other aircraft components including those for Hotspur Training Gliders and Horsa Gliders.
Photo High Wycombe Museum . Parker Knoll factory Mosquito Components.
Beaconsfield, Bucks. Rotax Ltd. The Beaconsfield Film Studios were requisitioned in 1939 and turned over to Rotax for the production of avionics.
Denham, Bucks. Martin Baker Aircraft Company.
Photo Old Machine Press.
Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.
The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot Captain Valentine Baker. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.
Harrow, Greater London. Kodak. I've not been able to find out much about their war work other than they supplied RAF Medmenham with a high speed film processor in 1941. Otherwise they are listed for the manufacture and development of film. Whether through their parent company Kodak Eastman they had any part in supplying the 8th USAAF with Cameras I know not.
Meanwhile next door to Kodak there was an unprepossessing looking building which was subsequently found to be the citadel Station Z. Constructed at the beginning of the war and completed in 1940 this reinforced three storey building with a large sub basement was designed to accommodate The Air Ministry Staff of Whitehall in the event that they should have to relocate. Those of the Kingsway Office were to be accommodated elsewhere.
The Upper Floor.
Photo Dr James Fox. Photo credit Subterranea like wise for image previous post.
Langley Aerodrome, Berkshire. Hawker Aircraft. Production of Hurricanes, Tempests and Sea Furies.
Photo Peter Trafford Smith.
Hayes, Greater London. Fairey Aviation. The bulk of this company's wartime aircraft were produced at their new factories at Stockport and Manchester. However the Fairey Albacore was constructed at Hayes.
Albacore Wing.
EMI. The vast factories of EMI dominated the skyline of Hayes. Perhaps their most important war work was in the development of airborne radar. This was the home of H2S Britain's first airborne radar. Very sadly one of the key scientists of the project Alan Blumlein was killed when the Halifax aircraft, carrying out a test flight from RAF Defford for the Telecommunications Research Establishment crashed on 7th June 1942. On 7th July 1944 a V1 hit the EMI factory at Hayes - 34 people were killed and 18 injured.
MAP FOOTNOTE: Locators - Leavesden Green. Aldenham Blue. Denham Yellow. Langley Orange.
Leighton Buzzard, Beds. Gossard Ltd. Parachutes, Sails, Kite Ballons, Kites, Single-seater Aircraft Dinghies and of course a very lucrative contract to supply Bras for all serving female personnel.
Dunstable, Beds. Thermo Plastics Ltd. Acetate sheeting for air frame fillets and Perspex for aircraft radomes and gun turrets. Henry Hughes and Sons (Husun). Navigational instruments, Compasses, Sextants, etc. Aeronautical and Nautical.
Luton, Beds. Percival Aircraft Co Ltd. Production lines for the early Proctors, Airspeed Oxford and DH Mosquito. Napier/English Electric. Test centre established for Sabre engine development.
The Percival Factory and airport received very light bomb damage on August 30th 1940 when 59 people were killed in Luton, the majority of whom were at the nearby Vauxhall Works. On September 24th 1940 two parachute mines fell on the airport, one caused considerable damage to a row of cottages near the Factory whilst the other, without detonating, lodged itself in the Factory Roof. Bomb Disposal Squad recovered and defused the mine.
Photo Jamie Glass.
Hatfield, Herts. de Havilland Aircraft Company. Mosquito Production Line. On October 3rd 1940 a single Junkers 88 bombed the factory killing 21 people and injuring 70.
The Factory Gunners shot down the Junkers 88 and the crew were taken into custody.
Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Brocks Fireworks. This famous firm along with several others e.g. Standard Fireworks produced Marker Flares for Bomber Command.
Tring, Herts. HMS Aeolus. Supply depot at the rear of 51, High Street, Tring. Supplying Kite Ballons, Box Kites and many of the products from Gossard at Leighton Buzzard and Amersham Prints. Their depot being almost equi-distant between the two factories and with good rail links. Image of 51 High Street on previous posting.
Photo Mike Bass Team Parish.
Well and truly up the creek (Nearest navigable water The Grand Union Canal). The Happy Ship's Company and 'Staff' of HMS AEOLUS at Tring on VE Day 1945.
Princes Risborough, Bucks. Risborough Furniture Company/Phillips and Powis. The factory was requisitioned by The Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) for the production of Miles Masters.
Photo Whiteleaf Furniture.
The factory at Princes Risborough post-war. Probably somewhat enlarged since the end of the war.
Chesham, Bucks. The Empire Works. At the old Empire Picture Hall near 'The Backs' and Station Road. Assorted Aircraft Parts. Webb Foulger (Brush Manufacturers) Mosquito Fuselage Components. Aircraft Propellers are also said to have been produced in Chesham but no details are available.
Leavesden Aerodrome, Herts. de Havilland at Factory 2 producing Mosquitoes and London Aircraft Production Group at Factory 1 final assembly H.P. Halifax. The first pilots from the ATA who were converting to Halifaxes were often taken on training flights to Bovingdon, the 3000ft runway at Leavesden being less than ideal for the purpose.
Photo London Transport Museum. Finishing touches at Leavesden.
Radlett Airfield, Herts. Handley Page Ltd. Production of HP Hampden and HP Halifax.
Photo St Albans Museum. Hampdens at Radlett.
Old Amersham, Bucks. Amersham Prints (Fabric Printers) Kite Ballons, Fins for Barrage Balloons, Aircraft Dinghies, Parachutes and ASR equipment. Located in the Old Maltings which had previously been a dance hall thus providing an ideal floor for production. Only a small part of the hall is visible in the image below. On completion every balloon was inflated to check for leaks. A very strong glue was used in the construction of these products.
Photo Amersham Museum, Alison Bailey.
Watford, Herts. Sun Engraving Company. 1.5 Billion Propaganda Leaflets and copious amounts of 'Window'. The printing of 'Tactical Targets' (Aerial and other Reconnaissance for D.Day) also a Munitions Department producing, among other stuff, stub axles for Hamilcar Gliders. Odhams (Watford) Millions of Propaganda Leaflets and aircraft repairs for MAP.
Photo Sun Printers' History Gallery.
Aldenham, Herts. The huge London Transport Depot by the A41. London Aircraft Production Group. Construction of HP Halifax forward and centre sections. On completion these would be transported down the A41 to Leavesden for final assembly.
Photo London Transport Museum.
High Wycombe, Bucks. The home of British Furniture and Wooden Aircraft Manufacturing in both World Wars. E.Gomme Ltd (G Plan) Wings and struts for Tiger Moths. Hughenden Furniture parts for Phillips and Powis Magisters and Masters. Parker Knoll, Styles and Mealing, Heathland Furniture, Dancer and Hearne, Walter Baker: Mosquito and other aircraft components including those for Hotspur Training Gliders and Horsa Gliders.
Photo High Wycombe Museum . Parker Knoll factory Mosquito Components.
Beaconsfield, Bucks. Rotax Ltd. The Beaconsfield Film Studios were requisitioned in 1939 and turned over to Rotax for the production of avionics.
Denham, Bucks. Martin Baker Aircraft Company.
Photo Old Machine Press.
Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.
The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot Captain Valentine Baker. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.
Harrow, Greater London. Kodak. I've not been able to find out much about their war work other than they supplied RAF Medmenham with a high speed film processor in 1941. Otherwise they are listed for the manufacture and development of film. Whether through their parent company Kodak Eastman they had any part in supplying the 8th USAAF with Cameras I know not.
Meanwhile next door to Kodak there was an unprepossessing looking building which was subsequently found to be the citadel Station Z. Constructed at the beginning of the war and completed in 1940 this reinforced three storey building with a large sub basement was designed to accommodate The Air Ministry Staff of Whitehall in the event that they should have to relocate. Those of the Kingsway Office were to be accommodated elsewhere.
The Upper Floor.
Photo Dr James Fox. Photo credit Subterranea like wise for image previous post.
Langley Aerodrome, Berkshire. Hawker Aircraft. Production of Hurricanes, Tempests and Sea Furies.
Photo Peter Trafford Smith.
Hayes, Greater London. Fairey Aviation. The bulk of this company's wartime aircraft were produced at their new factories at Stockport and Manchester. However the Fairey Albacore was constructed at Hayes.
Albacore Wing.
EMI. The vast factories of EMI dominated the skyline of Hayes. Perhaps their most important war work was in the development of airborne radar. This was the home of H2S Britain's first airborne radar. Very sadly one of the key scientists of the project Alan Blumlein was killed when the Halifax aircraft, carrying out a test flight from RAF Defford for the Telecommunications Research Establishment crashed on 7th June 1942. On 7th July 1944 a V1 hit the EMI factory at Hayes - 34 people were killed and 18 injured.
MAP FOOTNOTE: Locators - Leavesden Green. Aldenham Blue. Denham Yellow. Langley Orange.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 7th Oct 2023 at 21:48. Reason: Correction MB3 Pilot Name Changed
April 1953, I was four and a half years old.
A 'young lady' was required for a 'television and electrical showroom' by D.L. Chittenden; I don't know what school leaving age was in 1953; it could have been as low as 14.
Now 1953 was Coronation year. I'd heard of the Coronation but I didn't know what that meant being so young nor did I know what a 'television' was. I dare say a lot of people would buy or rent a television in the coming months but that excluded us; we had a 'wireless' but no mains electricity, my father would have to buy a huge new battery every couple of weeks to supply us with sound whereas with the wireless at my school, Waterside Infants School, a man would arrive with something called an 'accumulator' which he swapped with the 'spent' one.
I remember Leo Chittenden's shop; it was still in 'The Broadway' last time I visited about 18 years ago next door to what used to be the 'Astoria' cinema, now a shop.
We didn't 'see' the Coronation until later in the day when the newsreels arrived at the other Chesham cinema just 200yd from us near the Market Square and called the 'Embassy'. Very useful was this cinema as we went to saturday morning pictures every week and that was the 'nearest' we got to seeing a television.
A 'young lady' was required for a 'television and electrical showroom' by D.L. Chittenden; I don't know what school leaving age was in 1953; it could have been as low as 14.
Now 1953 was Coronation year. I'd heard of the Coronation but I didn't know what that meant being so young nor did I know what a 'television' was. I dare say a lot of people would buy or rent a television in the coming months but that excluded us; we had a 'wireless' but no mains electricity, my father would have to buy a huge new battery every couple of weeks to supply us with sound whereas with the wireless at my school, Waterside Infants School, a man would arrive with something called an 'accumulator' which he swapped with the 'spent' one.
I remember Leo Chittenden's shop; it was still in 'The Broadway' last time I visited about 18 years ago next door to what used to be the 'Astoria' cinema, now a shop.
We didn't 'see' the Coronation until later in the day when the newsreels arrived at the other Chesham cinema just 200yd from us near the Market Square and called the 'Embassy'. Very useful was this cinema as we went to saturday morning pictures every week and that was the 'nearest' we got to seeing a television.
Last edited by chevvron; 29th Sep 2023 at 10:18.
Denham, Bucks. Martin Baker Aircraft Company.
Photo Old Machine Press.
Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.
The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot James Martin. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.
Photo Old Machine Press.
Aircraft components including those for the Mosquito, Aircraft Design and Construction, Armoured Pilot Seats and from 1944 designing, development and testing of Ejector Seats.
The MB3 Fighter nearly but not quite completed at the Denham works in 1942. It was taken by road to RAF Wing Buckinghamshire for the first flight (August 31st) and subsequent test programme. There on September 12th it crashed killing its pilot James Martin. Incidentally not far away from the Martin Baker works the small airfield at Denham was home to the Tiger Moths of 21EFTS and more unusually an RAE Weapons Development Unit testing Rocket Projectiles, arriving in late 1942 they departed in 1944.
A Scattering of Bombs - John Young's Diary - The 'Bovingdon' Buzz Bomb
I became aware a few years' ago of a published photograph (also available commercially) of which the original USAAF caption stated: 'Houses damaged by a buzz bomb (V1) which hit in the residential area in Bovingdon, England on 2 July 1944' Well, as I've not gleaned any interesting images or gossip about Aeroplanes and Bovingdon I thought I might poke around a few old bomb craters to find the exact location of this particular V1. Bovingdon airfield was not constructed until 1941-42. However the German Blitz in Britain commenced in September 1940 and a good scattering of bombs fell across the home counties particularly during the period October - December 1940. These bombs, commonly H.E. and Incendiary, were often jettisoned by German aircraft which had failed to locate their target or were dropped by single German Raiders intent on creating havoc. Newspaper restrictions meant that these raids and incidents could only be reported in a very general manner and precise details and locations were not divulged. In internet searching I've relied heavily on personal recollections gleaned from various local history sources. I've concentrated on V1 incidents in the immediate area of Bovingdon going as far afield as Amersham to the South-west and Watford to the South-east. I've also included some records from 1940 where relevant. I might add that these are just the tip of the Iceberg. In mid to late Victorian Britain the shooting of Rare Birds was rife - Collectors would pay astronomical prices for a rare specimen. The Shooters had a little saying: 'What's hit is History. What's missed is Mystery' The same might be applied to the efforts of The Luftwaffe.
Known V1 incidents with either a written or oral reference - thus by no means complete. I'll start at the top:
POTTEN END, HERTS: 7th Hole Berkhamsted Golf Course.
Charles Bennett, a school-boy living in Potten End, was near Martin's Pond, when one fine summer's day in 1944 ("Must have been in The Summer Holidays - I was at Berkhamsted Prep") a Doodlebug came along from the east and cut out over his head. Charles grabbed his bicycle and headed in the direction of The Common and Grim's Ditch where the V1 had exploded. Just before reaching the crater Charles stopped to retrieve a large piece of paneling for a souvenir but was immediately apprehended by the village Policeman who had been in hot pursuit.
The V1 crater is adjacent to the 7th Hole on Berkhamsted Golf Course (Image Berkhamsted Golf Club).
BELLINGDON, BUCKS.
V1 shot down by DH Mosquito. Two very brief references (one by John Young) 1944-5 but no date available. A large crater from the Second World War is said to be in a field behind Bank Farm - some say it's the V1 site but as the village received a couple of bombs on the evening of 26th October 1940 one cannot be certain.
FELDEN, HERTS ( between Apsley and Bovingdon.)
V1 Gliding up Featherbed Lane from the direction of Apsley to explode at the top of the lane. 1944-45 date unknown, no further details available. This would have been about 2 miles from the airfield.
BOVINGDON, HERTS.
No record of a V1. More conventional bombs fell on Bovingdon Village on 23rd September and the evening of 26th October 1940 (Berkhamsted also received on the latter). A Farm House in New House Road, Bovingdon was demolished but the 16 occupants suffered only minor injuries. Several persons in adjacent outbuildings slumbered undisturbed through the raid.
Extracts from John Young's Diary. (Keith Fletcher with thanks).
LEY HILL, BUCKS.
On 16th August 1944 a V1 is said to have exploded half a mile south-east of Ley Hill Common on open land behind the Old School House. The Air Raid Warden James Green who lived at 'The Pheasantries' attended the scene there being slight damage to properties.
Image from August 1945. The Old School House - Left.Two possible bomb holes marked in red (This area also bombed evenings of 26th and 28th October 1940 - also Chesham). I would expect a V1 to make more of a crater.
Photo Historic Britain.
V1 Crater Ley Hill - I can't work out what the tallish structure is. I don't think there were any tall buildings in Ley Hill but I suppose it might have been a barn or a clump of trees. This was the closest to Bovingdon that a V1 fell, seemingly being just over a mile or so from Bovingdon Camp but perhaps it was closer. I did wonder if the structure was the Water Tower at the Camp.
Bovingdon Camp August 1945. If you are bored find the shadow of the Water Tower. Photo Historic Britain.
Bovingdon Camp Water Tower 1943.
LANGLEY LODGE (extensive grounds of) HERTS between Chipperfield and Abbotts Langley.
V1 Several brief mentions without any details c 1944-45.
References to October 25th and 26th 1940. Image Amersham during World War Two.
AMERSHAM, BUCKS - Weedon Hill Woods.
V1 impacted on 5th July 1944 damaging houses.
CHESHAM BOIS, BUCKS - Chestnut Lane.
This is the USAAF photograph which misidentified the location as being at Bovingdon.
The scene in Chestnut Lane where a V1 impacted at approx 10.55 a.m on 2nd July 1944. In the mid-foreground is 'The Leys' which suffered extensive damage, immediately beyond is where 'Red Leys' with its attached bungalow once stood whilst in the background is 'Northcott' partly demolished.
Image Buckingham Gardens Trust Newsletter.
The V1 was said to have been hit by anti-aircraft fire. Sir Arthur Scott (80yrs) a distinguished veteran of the Boer and First World Wars, resident of Red Leys was killed as was Christina Conway (Born 1920) whilst Lady Scott was rescued relatively uninjured. In the attached Bungalow 18 month old Christina Hanbury-Sparrow was trapped, and although rescued subsequently died in hospital. Due to shortage of space I'll add a postscript about child Christina and her family. Apart from those houses already mentioned two more were partly demolished and 135 properties were damaged, 17 people were injured.
Image Chesham Heritage Trail.
The Leys. (Image Savills).
NORTH WATFORD-Sandringham Road.
A V1 fell on 30th July 1944 killing 37 people, injuring a further 64. 50 Houses were destroyed and a further 500 Houses damaged.
Last edited by OUAQUKGF Ops; 14th Oct 2023 at 22:02.
I heard about the Sandringham Road V1 as a child. It was only down the road from where my dad lived with his parents.
As I recall being told, it didn't dive in vertically but "landed" horizontally, and careered along the road before finally exploding.
Another house only 100 yards or so away from their home was also damaged or destroyed by a bomb and well into the '60s there were still three large bomb craters in a recreation ground between the house and the DH factory at Leavesden, just a mile or so up the road.
As I recall being told, it didn't dive in vertically but "landed" horizontally, and careered along the road before finally exploding.
Another house only 100 yards or so away from their home was also damaged or destroyed by a bomb and well into the '60s there were still three large bomb craters in a recreation ground between the house and the DH factory at Leavesden, just a mile or so up the road.
http://www.airfieldresearchgroup.org...den-v1-mock-up
My sister used to live next door to the present school and just opposite Keith Fordyce's farm.
It would appear the 'old school' was some distance from the present one.
My sister used to live next door to the present school and just opposite Keith Fordyce's farm.
It would appear the 'old school' was some distance from the present one.
DH Interesting to hear your recollections of the Watford V1 - these little tit-bits are so often lacking when one is digging for 'Gen'.
Date error on Caption - Read July 30th.
Date error on Caption - Read July 30th.