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°

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.

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher May 1944.

Sunday 7th May 1944.

Feel like death this morning.  Had lunch at H.Q. mess and then drove to Jerusalem with Josephs & Davis.  We had very nice room at King David Hotel.  Dined at La Regence.  Excellent dinner completed by perfect French brandy.  Quiet evening but most enjoyable.

Diary of Major D.G. Fisher May 1944.

Saturday 6th May 1944.

Coffee with Lottie & Josephs at 11.00.  Slept in afternoon.  Had dinner at Lottie’s flat.  Joined Josephs, Page, Harrison at the Diana.  Didn’t like it & went on to the Carmelia Ct.  Met Col’s Hull & Harries.  The evening began to warm up & the wine flowed fast & furious.  We all finished up at Harries flat.  Lottie very happy & a wee bit tiddly.  We all enjoyed it immensely.  Finished up at 2.30 am.  I went back to Lottie’s & we completed a perfect evening.  Poor old Josephs was nearly asleep on his feet.

Letter to Mrs E. Wilkinson dated 6th May 1944

Telephone No.

COLNBROOK 231/232/233

Central Depositary,

Royal Air Force,

COLNBROOK

Slough, Bucks.

In reply please quote reference:-

CD/FX.48483

6th May 1944.

2211329 Sgt. Wilkinson. E.

Dear Madam,

The personal effects of the above named as listed on the attached inventory, have been received from the Unit, and are held at the Central Depository in safe custody.

Should you desire these effects to be sent to you and will kindly return to this office, duly signed and witnessed, the enclosed form of indemnity, arrangements will be made accordingly.  A prepaid addressed label is enclosed for your reply.

May I be permitted to express my sympathy with you in this period of anxiety.

Yours faithfully

Signature unreadable

for Squadron Leader, Commanding,

R.A.F. Central Depository.

Mrs. E. Wilkinson,

1068 Bury Road,

Breightmet,

Bolton,

LANCS.

F.X. 48483

PERSONAL EFFECTS OF 2211329 SGT. WILKINSON E.

1 Parcel containing:-                       2 Brushes.

1 Cribbage board.                            1 Money belt.

5 Handkerchiefs                              1 Parcel containing:-

17 Razor blades in tin.                    2 Handkerchiefs

1 Razor strop.                                   1 Letter.

1 Set of darts.                                   1 pr Pants.

1 Small bundle correspondence.  1 Vest.

1 AG. Brooch                                   

1 pr Blackshoes.