Westerham and Crockham in the War

This illustrated history of World War II relives the drama, the heroism and the horrors as they unfolded in the small market town of Westerham, known throughout the world as the country home of Britain's wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

It is not an official history, rather an account of how the events of these years appeared to the people of Westerham and the little village of Crockham Hill, further along the road past Chartwell.

Helen Long has searched the memories of almost 100 people from all walks of life and, thanks to their contributions, produced an anecdotal account of those days.

The book presents: Churchill preparing his greatest speeches, the misery of ration queues and austerity clothing, the delights of weekend concerts at St Mary's Hall, the fun (and sadness) of travelling on the "Westerham Flyer", the mobilization of Westerham lads, the evacuation of the children and the unreal atmosphere provided by the "phoney war". There is a harrowing journey to Dunkirk and back, aerial combats in the skies above Westerham, aircraft of friend and foe plunging into the Earth, great tragedies as a V1 flying bomb hits a children's home and a V2 rocket explodes in Madan Road.

Then there is VE Day and time to rebuild a shattered town and enjoy peace at last.