| Recalling
the days of World War II |
|
On Sunday, 4 September 2005, Walmer remembered
the grim days of World War II.
Bright sunshine, music by the Railway Swing
Band and displays of World War II memorabilia tempted hundreds of
people to gather on Walmer Green for an event organised by Walmer
Parish Council to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of the
1939-1945 conflict. Then had been a time when the parish and its
neighbouring town of Deal had found themselves "in the front
line".
|
|
CLICK
on the photos for larger versions
|
 |
 |
 |
| Anticipating gas
warfare |
Bombed out in Park
Street, 1944 |
ARP members outside
Nelson Hall |
|
| Following the declaration
of war between Britain and Germany on Sunday, 3 September 1939, nothing
much happened - apart from a false alarm - until May 1940 when France
fell and Kent's east coast was only 22 miles from the enemy. There
was mass evacuation of civilians and an influx of troops to defend
the area. Huge defences were constructed along the beaches and gun
batteries installed at Sandown, Deal Castle and Kingsdown. |
 |
 |
 |
Unloading vital supplies
from
a ship in distress off Deal |
The public is told
what to expect |
Captured German seaplane
at Walmer |
|
|
An article in Illustrated magazine
for 7 September 1940, suggested that the Channel was a more formidable
barrier to invasion than many appreciated. The author believed that
a combination of unpredictable weather, fierce currents and tidal
streams and ever-changing depths would prove a nightmare for German
military planners. Very possibly propaganda to reassure a nervous
British population! And certainly unlikely to have influenced Hitler...
although, of course, he did drop his plans for "Operation Sea
Lion" and invasion of England on 17 September 1940.
Many of Deal and Walmer's early evacuees returned,
despite the threat of shelling from huge German guns on the Pas de
Calais coast and frequent air raids by the Luftwaffe. On 22 October
1942, Deal suffered one of its worst raids when 16 people were killed
and many properties - including St George's Church - badly damaged. |
 |
 |
 |
| Explaining rationing |
5th Wingham Home
Guard |
This seat is mine! |
|
| During Walmer and Deal's
wartime role in what became known as "Hell Fire Corner",
it is estimated 65 local people were killed by bombs or shells, 59
seriously injured and close on 200 slightly injured. Some 200 bombs
and 100 shells fell on the town, resulting in destruction or damage
to nearly 5,000 properties. |
 |
 |
 |
| Destruction in Gladstone
Road |
The Strand suffers,
too |
Bombing at Middle
Street |
|
| Locals played a significant
part in the war effort, volunteering to serve as fire watchers and
air raid wardens, joining the Home Guard and, in just one example,
helping at a welfare centre in the Astor Theatre in Deal. It was only
after D-Day that the shelling and bombing stopped, then to be replaced
with the threat of flying bombs in the last days of the war. Fortunately
none fell on Walmer or Deal, although locals had a grandstand view
as Hitler's "vengeance weapons" flew towards London or were
destroyed over the Channel. |
 |
 |
 |
| Clearing invasion
defences |
Middle Deal Home Guard |
Freedom of Deal for
Marines |
|
| Declaration of peace on 9
May 1945, prompted ringing of local church bells and swiftly contrived
displays of flags and bunting. On VE Day, the Royal Marines and WRNS,
complete with band, marched through the town and many residents celebrated
with street parties. |
 |
 |
 |
| Street party in Princes
Street |
Saracen's Head celebrations |
And in College Road |
|