Lenham, Kent - 80th anniversaries

September 11, 2024

Lenham, Kent - 80th anniversaries

Lenham, Kent is a market village. It sits at the main source of the Great Stour and River Len.

Lenham was mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086 when the village was a great important crossroad settlement. The manor, belonged to St. Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury, until the dissolution of the monasteries, between 1536 and 1541, when the manor, reverted to the Crown. Queen Elizabeth I awarded the manor to her chief courtier, William Cecil. Then it was passed through the Wilford, Montagu, Hamilton, and Best families.

Even though Lenham, is allowed to have a market, it makes it a town, however, Lenham has always desired to maintain a village status.

V1 Rocket
on display at Musee de I'Armee, Paris

During the Second World War, the Germans develop the V1 Flying Bomb. In the spring of 1944, mass production started for the development of FZG-76, and it wasn’t until late May that FR 155(W) was equipped. 12^th June 1944, Operation Eisbar, commenced, when only four launched battalions who could only operate from the Pas-de-Calais area, which resulted in only 72 launchers. None of the launchers fired on the 12^th reached London, however, four did on the 13^th. The next attack was on the night of 15^th/16^th June, when 144 missiles reached England. While 73 struck London and 53 struck Portsmouth and Southampton. The sites of the V1 were the priority of Eisenhower, who ordered their attacks. Operation Cobra, which was launched 7 weeks after D-Day by Lieutenant General Bradley, saw the Germans retreating from French launch sites, with the last battalion retreating on 29^th August.

On the 24^th of June 1944, a V1 rocket hit Lenham, Kent.

Based at Newlands Stud Farm, Charing Heath, were the 6 (Guards) Tank Brigade Workshop, REME. Whilst other units had landed in France during D-Day, the 6 (Guards) remained in the UK and were preparing their reinforcements. During May, they have been moved from Carlton Hall, nr. Worksop to Charing Heath, nr. Lenham.

Several V1 rockets had been sighted and shot down during early June. 24^th June 1944, between 6-7 am, a V1 rocket had been shot down by the RAF over Charing Heath. The rocket had bounced off the flat roof of the nearby riding school, where it then landed among the junior ranks accommodation, housing men from the 6 (Guards). 46 men were killed immediately, whilst 6 others died 6 days from their injuries. Also destroyed were 14 vehicles and 16 motorcycles.

dedications plaques on Lenham cemetery.
credit - REME Museum

Orders were received that day, to conduct an active service burial for security reasons, with a mass grave dug in Lenham village cemetery. The burials were conducted during the night under lantern light.

Lenham cemetery.
credit - REME Museum

Memorial Cross
Lenham cemetery.
credit - REME Museum

Following the war, the Commonwealth War Grave Commission took charge of the mass burial site. 52 headstones were erected to record the names of those who were killed.

In June 2024 to mark the 80^th anniversary of the tragic incident, a ceremonial event was conducted by the Lenham Parish Council, and the names of the 52 soldiers who died were read out and wreaths were laid.

David John Hudson
Lenham cemetery
credit - findagrave

One of those, who was killed was Craftsman David John Hudson, who was 24 years old. He was the son of George and Minnie Hudson and the husband of Lillian Beryl.

The 1921 Census, records that the family is residing at 4 William Street. George, 38 is employed as a Labourer at the Harvis Brewery. Minnie, 37. The children are George, 17, a Labourer employed by Wrexham Timber Merchant. Louise, 14, who undertakes with Home Duties. Beatrice, 10; Irene, 12; Constance, 4 and 1-year-old David.

1921 Census

The 1939 Register, records that David, who is residing at 4 Elphin Gardens, is employed as a Blacksmith. In October 1941, he married Lillian B. Matthews.