Air Raid Damage Reports Brentwood Division Essex Fire Service August 1940.
Date Time Location Damage
01/08/1940 02.04 Little Warley 4 – H.Es Whistling type in orchard at Little Warley
Hall. No damage or casualties.
02/08/1940 Hadleigh 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 30 yards East of
Florence Gardens. No damage or casualties.
03/08/1940 21.00 Canvey Barrage Balloon drifting from barge. Struck by
Island lightening and destroyed off Coryton.
03/08/1940 21.45 Hutton 4 – H.Es 2 are unexploded in garden of Hillwood
and Redbourne. Garage damaged. 1 exploded at Pea Hill Wood (slight damage to house) 1 exploded at junction of Hillwood and Ridgeway. Gas water and telephone wires damaged. Hillwood Grove closed.
03/08/1940 21.50 Langdon 5 – H.Es 1is unexploded near Goldsmiths. No
Hills damage or casualties.
03/08/1940 23.35 Rochford British Spitfire crashed at Tinkers Lane. Squadron
Leader Sayers killed.
06/08/1940 10.43 Canvey Barrage Balloon grounded at Hole Haven.
Island
09/08/1940 22.45 Foulness 6 – H.Es 5 in a field and 1 in the sea at Fishermans
Island Head. No damage or casualties.
09/08/1940 23.35 Barling 3 – H.Es (Whistling Type) unexploded in fields near
Kingsmead Cottage and Ropers Farm. No casualties or damage.
10/08/1940 01.09 Downham 4 – H.Es 1 unexploded in a field at Fremnetts Farm
(Safe 11th Inst) House damaged. Telephone, electric cable and gas main damaged. 3 horses injured.
10/08/1940 01.35 Brentwood Barrage Balloon grounded in cricket ground of the
Mental Hospital.
10/08/1940 08.15 Sutton Barrage Balloon caught and grounded on
Overhead Aeroplane Trap wire at Fleet Hall Farm.
14/08/1940 Paglesham 1 – H.E. unexploded near High House Farm. No
damage or casualties.
15/08/1940 South Weald 3 – I.Bs between Spital Lane and Park Farm
Doddinghurst. No damage or casualties.
16/08/1940 12.40 Crays Hill 1 – A.A. unexploded shell at Gurnards Farm near
White Bridge. No damage or casualties.
16/08/1940 13.55 Little Warley 2 – H.Es unexploded in field. 1 150 yards South
and 1 200 yards South East of Blue House Farm. No damage or casualties.
18/08/1940 13.15 Pitsea 3 – A.A. unexploded shells. 2 on Marshes and 1 in
garden of Springfield. No casualties or damage. B.D.S. 18/8/40
18/08/1940 17.35 Foulness German Heinkel bomber shot down at Gains
Island Farm. Crew 2 injured and 3 uninjured taken prisoner.
18/08/1940 17.40 Fambridge British Spitfire shot down. Plane landed in Malden.
Squadron Leader J. Gordon of North Weald landed by parachute, suffering slight burns.
19/08/1940 00.10 Canvey A.A. Nose Cap at “Shell Beech”. Telephone and
Island house rafters damaged. No casualties.
19/08/1940 00.10 Canvey 6 – H.Es 1 is unexploded in a lake at Lakeside
Island End. 2 exploded North of Dutch Village, 1 at Tewkes Creek, 2 in garden of “Meleta” Liege Avenue (slight damage and 1 slight casualty a female of 34 years) also a large number of I.Bs at the Winter Gardens. Grass fires and haystack damaged by fire.
19/08/1940 01.00 Paglesham 7 – H.Es 1 is unexploded in a pool and 5 exploded
in Waterside Lane. Tiles and windows broken in cottages. Also 20 I.Bs on South Hall Marshes. No casualties.
19/08/1940 01.00 Potton Island 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field opposite Oyster Bed.
No damage or casualties.
19/08/1940 01.00 Paglesham I.Bs 60 or 70 at East End. No casualties or
damage.
19/08/1940 01.20 Potton Island 1 – Oil I.B on North side of Sea Wall. Slight
damage to sea wall. No casualties.
19/08/1940 01.21 Foulness 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field between Little and
Island Great Shalford. No damage or casualties.
20/08/1940 17.00 Haven Gore British Spitfire shot down. Pilot safe, slight injury.
Island
21/08/1940 12.44 Brentwood 2 – H.E.s 1 is 300 yards East of Railway Station on
embankment. L.N.E.R. partly blocked by a tree and debris And 1 at Myrtle Road. 4 houses demolished and 4 badly damaged. 5 slight casualties.
23/08/1940 06.15 Laindon Barrage Balloon drifting in a South Easterly
direction.
24/08/1940 16.00 Barling I.Bx number unknown. No casualties. Gorse fire.
24/08/1940 16.01 Canewdon German Messerschmitt 109 crashed 400 yards
outside RAF Station. Pilot safe.
24/08/1940 16.02 Great German Bomber shot down at Senns Farm. Crew
Wakering 3 captured.
26/08/1940 15.25 Pitsea British Hurricane crashed. Number of plane
P.3966. Pilot safe.
26/08/1940 15.25 Great Warley 70 – H.Es 51 in the vicinity of Warley Common, 14
at Pump Farm. 2 unexploded at the Croft and 1 100 yards South of Horton Road. Also 17 I.Bs between The Mental Hospital and Warley Barracks. Water main damaged. Road A.186 closed, 1 house badly damaged and 5 slightly. 5 casualties, 2 serious (Road open 29/8/40). Bombs safe 13/9/40.
26/08/1940 15.25 South Weald 13 – I.Bs 4 at Rochetts, 9 in fields between Spital
Lane and The Vicarage Lane. No casualties or damage.
26/08/1940 15.45 Rochford German Dornier 17 crashed on Aerodrome. Crew
2 injured and 2 prisoners safe.
26/08/1940 15.46 Foulness British Hurricane crashed. Machine badly
Island damaged. Pilot safe.
26/08/1940 15.47 Little Warley 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field at Little Bassetts. No
damage or casualties.
26/08/1940 15.48 Rochford Machine gun bullets. Civilian wounded.
27/08/1940 02.20 Mountnessing 2 – H.Es 1 is unexploded in garden of “The
Rest” and 1 exploded on greensward at Fitzwalters Corner. Gas, water and telephone cable damaged. No casualties. Road A.12 partly closed.
27/08/1940 02.21 Coxtie Green 2 -A.A. unexploded shells 1st Big field C/Green
Farm 2nd front Meadow Lincoln Farm.
28/08/1940 12.53 Great 1 – A.A. unexploded shell in cabbage field 150
Wakering yards North West of Trotters Farm. No casualties or damage.
28/08/1940 12.54 Rochford 58 – H.Es 18 on Aerodrome, 2 unexploded on Golf
Course, 3 on Southend Road B.1013 at Warners Bridge, 2 Ashingdon Road, 6 exploded and 1 unexploded on Railway Lines and 26 in vicinity of Rectory Road. Railway Line blocked near aerodrome. Rectory Road and B.1013 blocked. Water, gas, electric and telephone services damaged. Farm buildings on golf course damaged. 3 houses demolished, 6 badly damaged 2 stacks fired. The Oxford Social Club demolished, 4 casualties slight. Rectory Road open 5/9/40
28/08/1940 12.58 Hawkwell 5 – H.Es 2 unexploded and 1 exploded in garden at
Harwood Avenue and 2 exploded between Old Cottage, Iron Lane and Railway Station. Damage to property. No casualties.
28/08/1940 12.59 Rochford 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field near Showman
Cottage Asking Road, 200 yards South of Holt Farm. No damage or casualties.
28/08/1940 13.00 Wallasea 33 – H.Es 17 are unexploded 200 yards East of
Island Tile Barn Farm. No damage or casualties.
28/08/1940 13.00 Foulness 5 – H.Es 1 is unexploded at Rugwood. Remainder
Island at White Houses and Marshes. No casualties or damage
29/08/1940 00.12 Sutton 4 – H.Es2 are unexploded at Flat Hall Farm. No
damage or casualties
29/08/1940 00.12 Shopland 2 – H.Es unexploded at Mucking Hall Wood Farm.
No damage or casualties
29/08/1940 02.22 Rochford 2 – H.Es 1 is unexploded at Hillfield 300 yards
South East of Senior School. Sewer damaged at Hillfield. No casualties
29/08/1940 03.10 Foulness 3 – H.Es 1 unexploded 1/4 mile South East of
Island Landwick Police Post, 1 is exploded at Friends Farm and 1 exploded 300 yards East of Friends Farm. Also 1 I.B. 100 yards West of Coopers Slaughterhouse. No casualties or damage.
29/08/1940 03.20 Canvey 10 – H.Es at Winter Gardens and 40 and 60 acres.
Island Florence and Bankside bungalows badly damaged. Gas main damaged, 1 slight casualty (shock).
29/08/1940 03.26 Vange 4 – H.Es 1 is unexploded 100 yards South of
Vange Camp. No damage or casualties.
29/08/1940 19.20 Basildon British Hurricane shot down. Pilot from South
Weald safe.
30/08/1940 16.30 Rochford British Spitfire wrecked at Cherry Orchard Lane.
Pilot safe.
30/08/1940 16.35 South 1 – H.E. exploded in a garden in Benfleet Road,
Benfleet B.1014 closed. Slight damage to property. No casualties. Also 1 I.B. near Bardfield Farm.
30/08/1940 16.35 Basildon 4 – H.Es 2 exploded in Gardiners Lane and 2 in
Burnt Mills Road. Gardiners Lane blocked (open 5.9.40). No casualties.
30/08/1940 16.35 Wickford 13 – H.Es 3 exploded near Warners Garage. 4 in
Chelmsford Road and 6 unexploded in fields at Castleton Farm, Castle Road. 1 house damaged in Chelmsford Road. No casualties.
30/08/1940 16.35 Ramsden 12 – H.Es in vicinity of Glebe Road, 2 in drive of
“Highcliffe” Langden Avenue, 1 house damaged in Glebe Road. No casualties.
30/08/1940 16.40 Canvey 1 – H.E. unexploded near Number 3 Gun Site, 96th
Island Light A.A. Battery, 200 yards East of London Coastal Oil Wharf. No damage or casualties.
30/08/1940 16.40 Thundersley Grass fire and damage to electric cable. Cause
unknown.
30/08/1940 16.45 Hadleigh 1 – Cannon Shell making hole in roof of
“Woodlands” Gleve Way and 1 unexploded A.A. shell in garden of the Willows. Also roofing and ceilings damaged by shrapnel at “Conifers” and “Egerton” Milton Road. No casualties.
30/08/1940 16.45 Canvey Machine gun bullets through the roof of the
Island Dewdrop Inn, Urmine Road. Tiles and ceilings damaged. No casualties
30/08/1940 16.50 Hutton 3 – Cannon Shells in drive of “Retlaw” “Middleton”
and “Oxford”. Shrapnel through roof of garage at “Retlaw”. 1 slight casualty P Smith gardener wounded. Also dog wounded at “Retlaw”.
30/08/1940 17.00 North 2- H.Es unexploded between Smilers Farm and
Benfleet Lower Avenue ? Pound Lane. No casualties or damage.
30/08/1940 17.00 Rochford 2 – H.Es 300 yards North of Butlers Farm, Sutton.
No casualties or damage.
30/08/1940 17.00 Pitsea 1 – H.E. unexploded at “The Willows”, The
Crescent. No damage or casualties.
30/08/1940 17.00 North 15 – H.Es 14 unexploded in fields near Bardfields
Benfleet Farm. Also 1 exploded and 1 I.B. burnt out. No damage or casualties. B.D.S 6.3.41
30/08/1940 17.00 Nevendon 6 – H.Es in a field near Cranes Farm, 1 is
exploded. No damage or casualties. B.D.S. 6.3.41
30/08/1940 17.00 Crays Hill 4 – H.Es in a field near Great Wasketts Farm,
Gardiners Lane. Slight damage to 2 cottages. No casualties.
31/08/1940 00.05 Billericay 3 – H.Es 2 are unexploded, 1 at Cowbridge Grange
and 1 at Haven Gore, 1 exploded at Blunts Wall Farm. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 01.00 Hutton 2- H.Es at Hunters Chase. No damage or
casualties. Also a Cannon Shell at “Homestead” Mount Avenue. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 01.55 South Weald 4 – H.Es at Rochetts. Windows broken and
ceilings down at Farm House. No casualties.
31/08/1940 02.00 Little 1 – H.E. unexploded in a field 200 yards to rear of
Burstead Winger Farm. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 10.25 Foulness British Hurricane crashed near the Repair
Island Experimental Works. Machine damaged. Pilot injured and moved to Shoeburyness Municipal Hospital.
31/08/1940 13.14 Brentwood 4 – H.Es unexploded on L.N.E.R. line 300 yards
East of Three Arch Bridge. Rail traffic suspended. Road A. 128 closed (Rail & road open 2.9.40). No casualties
31/08/1940 13.15 Little 1 – H.E. unexploded 150 yards South West
Burstead of Bullers Farm. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 13.25 Ingrave British Spitfire crashed at Thorndon Park.
Machine burnt out. Pilot safe.
31/08/1940 13.25 Rayleigh Pilot injured landed by parachute moved to
Southend Municipal Hospital Rochford. From plane which crashed at Leigh-on-Sea.
31/08/1940 13.31 Thundersley 1 Incendiary bullet causing grass fire near the
School, Rushbottom Lane. No casualties.
31/08/1940 14.45 Rayleigh Grass fire at Kenworth Gardens (cause unknown)
31/08/1940 18.00 East 9 – H.Es in vicinity of Railway Station, 3 cottages
Horndon demolished, 1 uninhabitable, 1 casualty (female 50 years). 1 exploded near The Ropary Hoes Factory (Factory damaged). Also 30 I.Bs on fruit farm and in fields off Hall Lane 150 yards North of Railway.
31/08/1940 18.01 Shenfield A.A. unexploded shell in the garden of “Minster”.
No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 18.25 Wickford British Spitfire crashed and wrecked at Fanton
Chase Shotgate. Number of plane 2544. Pilot safe.
31/08/1940 21.45 Hadleigh Suspected chlorine gas. Mr & Mrs Potter and Mr
Phillips and son with symptoms.
31/08/1940 23.05 Nevendon 1 – H.E. unexploded South of Arterial Road and
300 yards off Nevendon Road. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 23.20 Little 1 – I.B. burnt out in a field North East of Abbotts
Wakering Hall Farm. No damage or casualties.
31/08/1940 23.20 Wickford 11 – H.Es 2 exploded near Cotwold Farm and 8 in
the vicinity of Welbeck, Cranfield Park Road, Welbeck extensively damaged, 1 exploded near Copfold Farm. No damage or casualties.