Date                Time   Location         Damage

07/05/1944    16.40  Shenfield       An American aircraft was flying over Shenfield

when 2 machine gun bullets were discharged presumably from the aircraft.  Bullets struck the roof of ‘ Thorpway’ Priests Lane, causing damage to tiles.  N.C.

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.

09/05/1944    20.15  Thundersley A meteorological balloon with kite covered with

                                                            silver paper fell in field adjoining Wensley Road.

11/05/1944    Unknown  Canvey   A believed British Smoke Float was found on

                                          Island       beach and subsequently handed over to B.D.S.

13/05/1944    11.00  Doddinghurst            1 – Ux.Bs were jettisoned from an American

aircraft which developed engine trouble and fell in field adjoining Park Farm.  N.D.C.  Removed later in day by B.D.S.

17/05/1944    16.15  Canvey          An RAF Target Sleeve from a plane and was

                                    Island             found Waterside Farm.  N.D.C.

20/05/1944    11.25  Downham     14 – Oil Bombs of which 3 were unexploded fell

from an American aircraft into a field 1/4 mile SE of Downham Grange and 1/4 mile W of Brook Hill (M.108/183146).  N.D.C. other than woods catching fire.  The 3 Ux. were subsequently disposed of by RAF B.D.S.

23/05/1944    08.15  Pitsea             A machine gun bullet from a British aircraft

penetrated the roof of “Roseville” Somerset Gard no.  Slight damage to roof.  N.C.

28/05/1944    10.30  Pitsea             A 3 – ton Army lorry (No. L5578724) driven by

Driver James Johnston and accompanied by L/Sgt. Alfred William Allen of 26th Company Leigh, was proceeding along the London Road Pitsea near the ‘Bull’ P.H. from the direction of Southend to London when overtaking a cycle the lorry swerved and overturned on to its offside and at once caught fire.  The local Fire Brigade attended and the fire was quickly put under control.  The lorry was laden with Army equipment small arms and demolition charges.  There were a few explosions and L/Sgt Allen received injuries to his right arms and ankle and was treated at First Aid Post Pitsea.  Road blocked under 1 hour.

28/05/1944    13.40  Great              1 – glass phial 2″ long and 5/8″ dia. hermetically

Wakering       sealed and containing a clear yellow liquid, was found at Brickfield Mill Head.  Date and time of falling unknown.

30/05/1944    17.00  Rayleigh        At time stated Allan Samuel Sidney Kemp aged 8

years N.R.I.C. No. 116/3, son of Sidney Kemp of “Rhonda” Hullbridge Road Rayleigh was slightly injured in the face and chest while tampering with a 9 m/m sten gun bullet at Rayleigh.

31/05/1944    19.30  Rayleigh        James Francis Shepherd (DCFO 50/6) aged 12

years son of Joseph Samuel Shepherd, Fireman of 323 Eastwood Road Rayleigh, was seriously wounded in the left hand after tampering with an unexploded .303 rifle bullet.