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5th October 1940 -
Richard Michael Johnson, North Cray Road
During an air-raid on 5th October 1940, just weeks after the initial conclusion of the battles
in the air over Kent and London, during which Britain's multi-national air force ultimately
succeeded in overcoming (even though they were heavily outnumbered) a German bomber
unloaded is lethal bomb load (intended for London) on North Cray Road and young Richard
Michael Johnson, just six-years old, was killed. As Richard's father, Dr. Reginald Johnson,
was unable to register the death himself, the clerk to the Chislehurst & Sidcup Urban
District Council Mr. E. T. Chater, was authorised to issue a death certificate stating cause
of death as "due to War Operations."
In Memoriam: Richard was buried in the Churchyard of St. James on Wednesday 10th
October but his parents were unable to attend as they were seriously hurt during the air-
attack and were in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.
23rd June 1943
Mrs Amy Adams, Greenwood Nursery, Parsonage Lane, North Cray
In the early hours of 25th June 1943, an enemy bomber dropped two bombs on North Cray.
One landed in a small pear orchard adjoining the bungalow of the Adams family. The house
was wrecked and the family of five had to be rescued by neighbours. All were in bed at the
time. Out houses and three tomato houses were badly damaged. Mr & Mrs Adams were
sleeping in the room nearest to where the bomb fell and Mrs. Adams died, almost
immediately, from the effects of the blast. Mr Adams was taken to hospital. Fortunately,
his daughters 13-year-old Patricia, 10-year-old Colleen and 9-year-old Honora, only
sustained superficial cuts.
In Memoriam: Amy Adams was buried in the churchyard of St. James the following week
with her family and friends in attendance.
16th June 1944
Robert William Burns, 39 Palm Avenue, Foots Cray
On Friday 16th June, Chislehurst experienced its first casualties from the deadly new
German weapon - the V1 rocket. They became known by most Londoners as "doodle
bugs" or "buzz bombs", but Londoner's also knew that as soon as the piercing sound
stopped that it was time to take cover as the V1 rocket would drop like a stone and when it
exploded would cause enormous damage and many casualties.
Bromley's first flying bomb fell at 1.30am on Friday 16th June 1944 in Shawfield Park,
Bromley, hitting a fire station and Council depot. A Civil Defence supervisor died and three
firemen were injured. The same day as this first V1 attack, there were other air-raids.
Robert Burns, a 36-year-old married man of Palm Avenue, Foots Cray, was on duty as a
War Department Constable at the Shawfield Park Fire Station in Bromley when it was hit
during an air-attack. Robert was killed and three other firemen were also injured.
In Memoriam: Robert was buried, with his family and friends in attendance, the following
week in the churchyard of St. James, North Cray.
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