Welcome to The Bay Museum Website

The Bay Museum is a friendly museum situated on Canvey Island. Based in a degaussing station, it now offers a wealth of artefacts, books and displays focusing on both local and world military history focused on the First and Second World Wars. Open from 10am till mid-afternoon on Sundays, the museum is run by our volunteers who always warmly welcome visitors and are willing to impart their knowledge. They can also help you research your own family military histories and have extensive experience of visiting battlefields and cemeteries. Our website contains information about visiting the museum as well as archiving wartime records that we regularly transcribe online.

THE BAY MUSEUM AND RESEARCH FACILITY

CHARITY NUMBER 1204193

TRUSTEES

CHAIRMAN: D. THORNDIKE  VICE CHAIRS: J. HARRIS & A. REED  SECRETARY: G. BAKER  TREASURER: M. DANIELL

Click to explore the museum 360°

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher May 1944.

Saturday 13th May 1944.

Very tired.  Met Lottie for coffee at 11.00 hrs.  Donald had news his brother killed in action in Italy.  He was a Lt. Col in the infantry.  Lottie stood me dinner at Prass’s.  we went on to C.C. and met Donald & some French people from Beirut.  Finished up in their room for drinks.  We all got a bit squiffy and Lottie a little annoyed because the French woman flirted with me.  All ended very happily.  Slept the sleep of exhaustion.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 12th May 1944

R.A.F. Station,

Tempsford

Nr. SANDY

Beds.

12th  May 1944

Ref:- TEM/C.801/399/P.1.

Dear Mrs Wilkinson,

            Please let me thank you for your undated letter.

            The parcel you refer to was forwarded to Central Depository, Colnbrook, Nr. Slough, Bucks. Unopened, for inclusion in your Husband’s effects, which will be retained for a short period.      

Yours sincerely

G.J. Holdcroft

S/Ldr.

for Group Captain, Commanding

R.A.F. Station Tempsford.             

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1064, Bury Road,

BREIGHTMET,

BOLTON,

Lancs.

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher May 1944.

Friday 12th May 1944.

Went to El Jiya.  Could not get further owing to puncture.  Ct of Enquiry there over loss of flour.  Arr Haifa at 19.00 & went straight to Lottie’s.  We dined at C.C.  Then went back to Col Hull’s mess.  All very tight.  Lottie & I very happy together.  She gave me her photo today.

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher May 1944.

Thursday 11th May 1944.

Went to Sarafand with Josephs.  Visited Degaria on way.  Stayed at Off Club.  Colin came in to Tel Aviv for evening.  Josephs went off to dine with a girl.  Colin, Ellis & I had dinner & went on to Martin’s.  Very quiet evening.  Like the dance at the Off Club.

e to be alone these days.  Feel a bit blue.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 8th May 1944

Telephone No. GERRARD 9234

Extn 3800.

AIR MINISTRY,

(Casualty Branch)

73 OXFORD STREET

LONDON,

W.1.

8th May 1944.

Ref:- P.415526/4/44/P.4.Cas.B.4.

Madam,

            I am directed to refer to your letter dated 2nd May 1944, and to inform you that regulations do not permit the disclosure of addresses, but should you wish to write to the next of kin of your husband’s crew (list undermentioned) and you’re your letters to this Department under separate cover, unstamped and bearing the above reference number they will be forwarded.

Next of kin.

135098 F/O F.B. Clark.  –                          Father, Mr. F.H. Clark.

J.24230 F/O R.J. Carson –                        Mother, Mrs H. Carson

(Resident in Canada).

1456997 Sgt. E.M. Keep.  –                       Father, Mr. P.G. Keep.

1515655 Sgt. R.G. Thompson.  –                         Wife, Mrs. R.G. Thompson.

R.186516 Sgt. D.W.L. Brown.   –               Father, Mr. H.W. Brown.

(Resident in Canada)

R.132139 Sgt. W.R. McBurne    –              Mother, Mrs. R. McBurne.

(Resident in Canada)

I am to add an expression of the sincere sympathy of the Department with you in your anxiety.

I am, Madam,

Your obedient Servant

Signature unreadable.

for Director of Personal Services.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

Lancashire.

Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service 8 May 1944.

Date                Time   Location         Damage

08/05/1944    16.00  Canvey          Arthur Edward Wm. Berry aged 13, of ‘Green

Island             Ross’ Rainbow Road, Canvey, was playing with a detonator which he had found when it exploded injuring his thumb and second finger of the right hand.  Treated by doctor and First Aid Post and allowed to go home.