West Middlesex Family History Society

10/08/2026

📜On this day in West Middlesex 📜
10th August 1939 - Britain practises the blackout

Did you know that Britain was practising blackouts before the Second World War had even begun?

The first blackout exercise had taken place earlier that summer, but on the evening of 9th August 1939 a nationwide blackout was held, continuing until 4.00am on 10th August. Across West Middlesex, homes and businesses were required to extinguish or carefully cover their lights, while Air Raid Precautions (ARP) wardens patrolled the streets to ensure the regulations were being observed.

The exercise reflected growing concerns that Britain could soon face devastating night-time air raids. The Air Ministry had forecast that enemy bombers might launch sudden attacks causing widespread destruction and heavy loss of life. Military planners believed that by plunging towns and cities into darkness, enemy aircraft would struggle to navigate and identify their targets.

Public Information Leaflet No. 2 reminded civilians that everyone had an important role to play, stressing that the blackout would only be effective if every household and business complied with the regulations.

Journalist W. F. LEYSMITH, reporting for The New York Times, described the atmosphere of the exercise:

"Among many observers there is an uneasy feeling that in real war some bombers could sneak through on a night like this and, following the River Thames, which could never be entirely blackened out, strike hard and fast at the heart of the metropolis."

Despite the eerie darkness, everyday life continued. Food was still transported to markets, newspapers were printed and delivered, and trains ran to schedule. To prevent even the smallest glow being seen from the air, locomotive cabs were covered with tarpaulins, passenger carriages were darkened, and traffic lights shone only as tiny coloured pinpoints.

Less than a month later, on 1st September 1939, Germany invaded Poland, and the blackout became a permanent feature of daily life across Britain.

03/08/2026

✈️ On This Day in West Middlesex ✈️
3 Aug 1942

On this day in 1942, Warrant Officer Eric Stanley SPONG of Hounslow was captured after the Wellington bomber in which he was serving was shot down over Germany during the Second World War.

Eric was a member of the crew of Wellington Z8781, which had taken off from RAF Marham, Norfolk, on a bombing raid to Hanover. As the aircraft approached Bremen, it came under heavy anti-aircraft fire. Hit by flak, the Wellington burst into flames and crashed.

Four of the crew were killed instantly. Wing Commander John L. H. FLETCHER(31), Sergeant Frank DODD (19), Sergeant Terence A. BRIDEWELL (18) and Flight Sergeant Frank GRAIL (29).

Eric managed to escape the burning aircraft by parachute, although he injured his right leg during the descent. He landed near Obernheide, where he was captured by German forces. The sixth crew member, Flight Sergeant R. J. ALEXANDER, almost escaped, reaching the harbour at Lübeck and boarding a Swedish ship before he too was captured.

Born on 17 August 1919, Eric was the second of Hope Gilbert Spong and Nellie Phyllis Spong's five sons. The family lived at 9 Munster Avenue, Hounslow, and Eric attended Hounslow Heath and Spring Grove Schools, where he was well known for his enthusiasm for football and cricket.

Eric spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war, being transferred between several camps. While held at Stalag III-E in 1942, he was able to send a group photograph home to his mother. In this picture he stands fourth from the right on the back row. 'Can you see my beard?' he wrote.

Eric became involved in an ambitious escape plan involving around 60 prisoners. Before the plan could be put into action, however, the men were transferred to Stalag 357, bringing their hopes of freedom to an abrupt end.

His captivity finally came to an end on 16 April 1945, when Stalag 357 was liberated by the 7th Armoured Division, better known as the Desert Rats.

Eric returned home to Hounslow where he remained until is death age 76 in 1995.

28/07/2026

Just a reminder that tonight is our monthly 'Chat In' group for our members, head to our website for joining details and come and meet some like minded individuals!

(You'll need the password which you will find in the latest journal)

http://west-middlesex-fhs.org.uk/content/meetings.asp

We have two regular meetings of the society. Our main meeting, the centre-piece of which is a speaker talking on a family history or local history subject, and a new meeting commencing 24th March 2026 that we are calling the WMFHS Chat In. This second meeting is entirely social, with no agenda, to h...

27/07/2026

⚓ On This Day in West Middlesex ⚓
27 July 1940

On this day in 1940, the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Wren was sunk by German dive bombers while operating in the English Channel during the Second World War.

Built in 1918, HMS Wren had been escorting convoys and carrying out anti-invasion patrols as Britain prepared for the threat of German invasion. On 27 July 1940, while assisting the damaged destroyer Codrington off Dover, Wren came under attack from 15 German dive bombers. A direct hit broke the ship in two and she sank within minutes.

Thirty-seven members of her crew lost their lives, among them Able Seaman Albert Bernard TUCKER of Hounslow.

Albert was just 23 years old. He was the beloved son of George and Esther Tucker and one of their seven children and he had a twin sister, Eileen. Like so many sailors lost at sea during the war, Albert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, where the names of thousands of Royal Navy personnel whose final resting place is the sea are inscribed.

Albert's family never forgot him. Year after year, George and Ethel placed moving 'In Memoriam' notices in the Middlesex Chronicle on the anniversary of his death, ensuring that his sacrifice was remembered not only by his family but also by the wider Hounslow community.

20/07/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜

On the anniversary of the first Moon landing, here is a rather different Moon story from West Middlesex.

On 20 July 1905, Mrs Margaret MOON of Ealing found herself at the centre of a case at Brentford Police Court.

Margaret was in her husband's shop, Oxford House, Ealing Broadway, with her 19-year-old stepdaughter, Olive Moon, who was nursing her baby. While Margaret was chatting to a customer, Alfred LANE, who had previously been employed by Mr Moon, entered the shop and made insulting remarks towards Olive.

The customer immediately challenged him, asking, "What do you mean by such language? Do you know who you are speaking to?"

Lane replied, "I know very well who I'm talking to."

Giving evidence, Olive told the court that she had never spoken to Lane during the time he had worked for her father and could not understand why he had singled her out.

In his defence, Lane admitted making the remarks but claimed they were not intended as an insult, describing them instead as a "compliment" to his late master. His explanation was met with laughter in the courtroom. The Bench disagreed with his interpretation, commenting that they certainly did not regard the remark as a compliment. Lane was found guilty of using insulting words and was fined 20 shillings or sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment if he failed to pay.

A fitting comeuppance, glad to see that women didn't have to put up with boorish behaviour, even in the Edwardian era!

Source: Middlesex Chronicle, 22 July 1905.

🌕

15/07/2026

Join our friends at Hounslow & District History Society for a series of free talks across the 18th August - 22nd August. Every day at 2:30pm at the United Reformed Church in Hounslow.

13/07/2026

💍 On This Day in West Middlesex – 13 July 1995 💍

On this day in 1995, Ron and Vera Coleman celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, marking an incredible 60 years of marriage.

Sixty years earlier, in 1935, Ronald Charles Coleman married Vera Florence Nicoll. The couple made their home first in Ealing before later settling in Feltham, where they raised their four children: Michael, Colin, Suzanne and Veronica.

Ron and Vera shared a lifetime together, their remarkable marriage lasted until Vera's death in 2007, aged 94. Ron died two years later in 2009, aged 95.

❤️

06/07/2026

📜 On This Day in West Middlesex 📜
6th July 1858 - The mystery of Mr Edmund Cook

On this day in 1858 Edmund COOK age 23, was admitted to the infirmary of Stanwell Union with a swelling on the side of his head.

He had been found earlier that morning near his home in Upper Halliford by neighbour, George TURNER. He was bleeding from two wounds on his head and he told George that he had been caught in the barn by a man named Thomas LOSK, who had struck him on the head with a hoe. George took him into his house, dressed his head, and helped him to the Union infirmary.

There, Edmund was treated by nurse Thomas HALE and the surgeon, Mr CURTIS
who attended him for the next nine days. During this time, he frequently complained of pain in his head but after a fortnight he left the infirmary and went back to work.

Then, on 20th October 1858, he died.

A post-mortem examination revealed an abscess on the brain and evidence of an injury to the skull. However, Mr Curtis could not determine whether the injury had been caused by violence or by some other means.
The case raised more questions than answers. Edmund never made any complaint to the magistrate, and no one witnessed the alleged assault. When Thomas Losk was asked about the incident he declined to comment.

At the inquest, the coroner and jury concluded that Edmund had died from an abscess on the brain. However, due to the lack of evidence, they were unable to determine whether violence had played any part in his death.

As a result, the true circumstances of his death remain unknown.
Edmund was buried at St Mary's Church, Sunbury, on 25 October 1858.

29/06/2026

🔥 On This Day in West Middlesex 🔥
29 June 1907 - A letter of thanks

On 29 June 1907, Captain J. H. GRAVENER of the Ealing Fire Brigade wrote to Superintendent Barnes of Hanwell, thanking him and his men for their assistance at one of the most devastating fires in Ealing's history:

"I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the members of your Brigade for their prompt attendance and valuable assistance rendered at the fire in Williams Road, West Ealing, on the morning of the 27th June."

The fire had broken out just after 1am on 27 June 1907 when a paraffin lamp was accidentally knocked over in the oil shop of Mr and Mrs Matthew MAY at No. 36 Williams Road. The flames quickly ignited the oil and spread with terrifying speed. Mrs May escaped moments before the building exploded and collapsed.

An eyewitness described the scene as being "something like a roaring furnace."

The blaze rapidly engulfed neighbouring properties, destroying Nos. 38, 40 and 42. Families lost their homes and possessions in a matter of minutes. Among those rescued was Mrs Harriet WOODAGE, an elderly resident who had to be carried to safety through the front window of her house.

Yet amid the destruction, the community rallied together. Fundraising collections were organised throughout the district, with children carrying collection boxes through local streets to raise money for those affected. Donations arrived from far beyond Ealing, including from former residents Mr and Mrs GOULD, who had emigrated to Canada but sent 10 shillings after hearing of their old neighbours' misfortune.

One recipient of this generosity was Harriet Woodage, who later wrote to the local newspaper: "I had lost everything in the fire, but thanks to kind friends I have got a fresh start."

Out of the ashes of the Williams Road fire emerged an extraordinary display of community spirit, in which people united to help those affected rebuild their lives.

📸 With thanks to Vin Miles and the Ealing History page for the photographs and much of the information that helped tell the story of this remarkable event.

22/06/2026

👑 On This Day in West Middlesex 👑
22 June 1897

Ealing celebrated Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in style on 22 June 1897, with a day of processions, music, feasting and community festivities that brought together thousands of local residents.

The celebrations began at 10am when crowds gathered on Ealing Common for a grand procession. Fire engines from Ealing and Hanwell took part alongside postmen, members of St John's Ambulance Brigade, the Boys' Brigade, volunteers and local bands. Some participants even appeared dressed as historical and legendary characters.

At noon, 600 residents aged over sixty were treated to an "Old Folks' Dinner" in Miss Perceval's Park (today's Walpole Park). Beneath a large marquee they enjoyed meat, salad, bread and butter, cake, tea and lemonade while local bands provided entertainment. The Vicar of Ealing, Dr OLIVER, addressed the gathering and led the guests in a hymn.

One of the day's most touching moments came when the elderly Miss Frederica PERCEVAL arrived in her wheelchair to meet her guests, distribute flowers and join in the celebrations. At the end of the meal, the men were presented with to***co and the women with gifts of tea.

At 2pm the focus shifted to the children. Around 4,000 pupils from Ealing's elementary and Sunday schools assembled on Ealing Common before marching to Miss Perceval's Park behind the Ealing, Southall and Isleworth town bands. As they marched, they sang patriotic favourites including God Save the Queen, Victoria Our Queen and Rule Britannia.

Many children wore fancy dress, including Elizabethan costumes, while others appeared as barristers, policemen and jesters. Once they reached the park they eagerly tucked into a feast of bread and butter, cakes, buns and tea, all of which, according to contemporary reports, were consumed in "quite alarming quantities!" 🍰☕

The afternoon continued with games and sports, with prizes awarded to all who took part. By the height of the celebrations there were an estimated 8,000 people in Miss Perceval's Park, making it one of the largest public gatherings Ealing had ever seen.

As evening fell, residents assembled once more for a torchlight procession and fireworks display, bringing to a close a memorable day of celebration in honour of a monarch who had reigned for sixty years.