Nonington during WW2

1939 students with harvest
The first students, then all female, at Nonington College helped with the harvest in 1939.
YMCA Nonington HQ
During WW2 the Dover YMCA had its headquarters at Old St. Alban’s Court, Nonington.
A YMCA mobile canteen and volunteer drivers
Another view of the mobile canteen
WW2-back of YMCA van, St Albans
The back of one of the YMCA vans at old St Alban’s Court
YMCA Nonington-mobile canteen 1941
A smaller YMCA mobile canteen at St Alban’s, 1941
YMCA van shell damage
A broken wind-screen caused by a shell splinter.
YMCA Nonington-mobile library 1942
YMCA mobile library at St Alban’s, 1942. The YMCA used vans as lending libraries for members of the armed forces.
Nonington Firemen circa 1940. Not necessarily in order-Vic Barwick;Horace Titnus;Arthur Nelson;Godfrey Ledner;Wilf Barwick.
WW2 Nonington firemen
Nonington WW2 firemen
WW2-1944 fragment of doodle bug, fell 13.6.1944
A fragment of the doodle bug, which fell in the field behind the Youth Club in Easole Street at 23.55. hrs. on 13th June, 1944.
WW2-piece of a doodle-bug which dropped on Nonington 23.55.hrs. 13th June, 1944
The doodle bug fragment and a map of doodle bug strikes in Kent published by the Kent Messenger.
WW2-threshing-Beauchamps Bottom
Threshing at Beauchamps Bottom during WW2. Local farm workers are being assisted by soldiers. These were possibly Canadians encamped in Fredville Park
Harvest WW2 rear Church Room
More threshing at Beauchamps Bottom.

17 Comments

  • Aileen taylor

    19 June 2020 at 18:00

    Love the photos my mother lived in nonnington as a child she lived listway cottages my great grandparents also lived in nonnington for a lot of years I’ll show my mum these photos

  • admin

    7 May 2020 at 09:55

    Please do use them as long as it’s not for profit. A credit and link back will be nice, thanks.

  • Kamiah

    7 May 2020 at 09:49

    Hi there,

    These photos are absolutely fantastic. I work for YMCA now and we would love to share them on our charity’s website to showcase the heritage of the YMCA movement. Are we able to do this if we include credit and a link back?

    Kind regards
    Kamiah

  • Geoff Pinfold

    20 October 2019 at 19:07

    St Albans Downs concrete road,with a raised section.Second World War and what purpose?

  • admin

    2 August 2019 at 11:18

    Rick, unfortunately I know very little about Hatchetts in general, and nothing about it during WW2. Sadly, I don’t think there is anyone around who would know anything about it. Fredville was occupied by Canadian troops during the war, possibly they relocated after the fire at Fredville. Gubbin’s, who owned Hatchetts, was married to a Plumptre. Possibly he offered the house for War use?

  • Richard Browning

    30 July 2019 at 18:11

    HI Clive..I know Hatchetts was occupied by the War Dept during WW2.we have mention of claims for delapidations in the old documents …and a hand grenade found in the garden… as well as things including “ration store” on a cellar key and “Atheys Dump”..on a cellar door
    How can I find out more ?
    regards Rick

  • admin

    28 March 2016 at 14:27

    Hello, Sheila, thanks for getting in contact. I remember the Christmas parties held in the hall [ball room?] of the new St Alban’s Court mansion, lots of food and games if I remember correctly. I can remember Miss Hinks visiting Nonington School a couple of times a year, I think she was a school governor. She always seemed to wear a tweed suit and trilby type hat. Regarding the photo, unfortunately all I had was copies without any real descriptions on. Many of the photos on the site were part of Aubrey Sutton’s collection which I was lucky enough to be able to copy, some had a description on, others didn’t. If I can find out any further details regarding any of the photos I’ll put them on the site. Are you going to the school reunion this year? I think it’s on 1st July. If you wish to contact me directly my email address is contact@reddlyoncurios.co.uk.
    Best wishes. Clive.

  • Sheila Duncan (PYSDEN)

    28 March 2016 at 12:01

    Hi Clive

    I was delighted to discover the pictures on this website, particularly remembering Miss Hinks and Miss Kruger from my childhood, and this reminded me of the Christmas parties at Nonington College which was one of the highlights of the winter term at Nonington School.

    There is a picture of three women in front of a library van that I have noticed, and I am convinced my mother is on the far left, and possibly Betsy Hume on the right. I wondered if you have access to the original of this photo, and whether there is any further narrative indicating who the people are.

    It would be wonderful to hear from you if you have any further information.

    Kind regards
    Sheila

  • Ranit

    10 January 2016 at 13:28

    Dear Sir

    Thanks for contacting me. Would it be possible to get hold of high resolution images of these tea vans which are on your website. I have more information on these vans but few images. Please see how you can help me. Regards , Ranit

  • admin

    10 January 2016 at 13:18

    Thanks for contacting me. All I can really tell you is that the WVS used old St. Alban’s Court house during WW2 as a base for the operations in the area as Dover was too dangerous due to German bombing and the shelling from long distance guns situated near Calais. They provided tea, sandwiches ect & books to troops stationed in East Kent before D-Day.

  • Ranit

    10 January 2016 at 12:52

    Greetings from The London Tea History Association. I wish to contact you on tea images ( tea vans ) on your website for a book that I am writing. Regards Ranit

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