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London Bombing during WWII - early 1940s - Lilian and Stanley Turner Letters &
Stanley's Auction and Survey House Career at Fairweather and Turner from 1916
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Lilian and Stanley having a picnic with tea in the 1940s on the English countryside during a brief respite from the German bombing.
Stanley worked as a surveyor, auctioneer, and land agent for Fairweather and Turner in London. During the war he made extensive surveys and drawings of damage for the war department and had to remain in Banstead, just south of London with Lilian during the entire duration of the war. Both Lilian and Stanley worked on fire crews carrying sand pails and wearing metal helmets putting out fires from the constant bombing from the Germans.
Later in the war in 1944, Stanley's vehicle was destroyed as he drove to work, a bomb exploded on a building directly in front of the car. Police were amazed he survived only with a 'knock on the head and a badly swollen and bruised arm.' The blast blew off the car roof, tires, doors and windows. The photo below, not of Stanley, but that of a bus having driven into a massive bomb crater and buildings damaged by bombs.
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Massive destruction marks South London where a bus lies in a crater in Balham, after a bombing raid. Photo from UK Imperial War Museum.
Germany launched its bombing raids on British cities – the Blitz – on 7th September 1940 – "Black Saturday," beginning with the London Docks. During this first phase of the Blitz, raids took place both day and night. German bombers attacked London every night but one between mid-September and mid-November. Birmingham and Bristol were attacked in mid-October. Photo from Royal Air Force Museum.
Maps from bombsight.org show the extensive and relentless targeting of the German Planes, including the home of Stanley and Lilian.
Their home, at 90 Fir Tree Road, Banstead, Surrey, just south of downtown London also suffered extensive damage and unfortunately many neighbors were killed and buildings destroyed including their grocery. Quite a few bombs hit particularly close, just a few houses away. They were under the constant threat of air raids with sirens going off night and day as bombs hissed and whistled down from the sky. Food was scarce as they survived on a government rationing points system where an individual would receive twenty points a month. A tin a syrup cost 16 points and a packet of oats cost four points.
During this time Lilian fought also for women's suffrage rights supporting local women's groups. She also worked in the garden extensively with Stanley raising fruits and vegetables to support their meager diet as well as to help get their minds off the constant gun fire and bombs. Both wrote detailed letters back to relatives in the United States. Many letters were even edited or 'censored' by cutting out text and even removing photos by British Postal Censorship Examiners. |
Lilian and Stanley and friends having a picnic in the 1940s on the English countryside. |
Portrait of Stanley in London |
5 Lower Grosvenor Place
London SW 1
16th September, 1940
My dear Amy, We were pleased to have your letter. I expect you are anxious to know how we are progressing through these fierce days and nights. While I am writing this letter to you, the guns are firing over our house & we hear the bombs dropping in the distance.
Lilian is very brave. She keeps quite calm which is very helpful to me. The nights the worst however. The enemy came over about ½ hour ago. It is just 9 o’clock in the evening.
Well we must put up with it. We shall lick them yet; it is only a matter of time. Our airmen are very brave.
My offices are just opposite Buckingham Palace. So far they are untouched. I am doing Surveys & Valuations for the War Office and am very busy I am thankful to say.
We are very fortunate to have such a fine Premier. We all think a great deal of Mr. Winston Churchill. He is the right man for the heavy task he has taken over.
We went to Brighton a fortnight ago on War Office business. I took Lilian. We stayed at the Old Ship Hotel. I don’t know whether you remember Brighton.
Hally is a Commander in the Home Force and is very keen on his work.
It has been a lovely summer and our garden is still very beautiful. We have an acre with a tennis court sunken garden and an old well. It’s just an old English garden with lavender beds and many fruit trees. It’s not so peaceful at the moment. The heavy guns are firing round after round of ammunition and the German planes are roaring over our house and so it goes on. Well we keep smiling & say there’ll always be an England.
The German planes have powerful engines which make a peculiar throbbing noise. A sort of thump, thump, thump.
Lilian has just told me after tonight the full harvest moon begins to wane. I am glad to hear it. I shall wane before the moon if this noise keeps on.
I expect you get a lot of news about the war in your papers. I could tell you so much dear, but the censor would not pass it.
I wonder whether we shall ever meet again in this world? These touch and go times teach us all to live today as though we are to pass to the great beyond tomorrow. It won’t hurt us. The people want waking up to live realities.
We were sorry to hear of the death of poor Norah. I hope she has joined poor Edie now
I will wish you all good night. I am thankful you are not in England during these times. All being well, I will write you again soon. Lilian wishes with me in love to you all.
Yours as ever, Stanley
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Letter from Stanley Turner to his sister Amy Turner Watt, September 16, 1940:
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90 Fir Tree Road
Banstead, Surrey
23rd April 1941
My Dear Amy,
Many thanks for your very welcome letter. We managed to get a few days rest at Easter. We stayed at a delightful country house a friend of ours has taken furnished with magnificent views of the surrounding country.
We came home {CENSORED} feeling very happy and fit but also, {CENSORED} Hitlers boys came over and dropped {CENSORED} which was not at all restful, two bombs fell on houses {CENSORED}blowing them up & setting others on fire. What a hectic night it was {CENSORED} killed & many injured. One dear soul has lost one arm & the use of the other. Her husband is dying and the daughter, a very attractive girl in the twenties, face is very badly cut & looks will look like a parchwork quilt if she recovers for she is injured internally as well. {CENSORED} have had to quit their homes, furniture & effects either burnt or smashed and their lovely gardens with all the early spring beauty have disappeared in huge craters.
We were sitting by the fire in the dining room when Lilian said just {CENSORED} {CENSORED} {CENSORED} . We looked out and the whole neighborhood was lit up by flaming onions & chandeliers. We came in immediately and just in time to dive under the beds when with a terrific blast our doors and windows were blown open. Ceilings falling & the house we thought was coming down on top of us but it didn’t. It only rocked & creaked & the main walls cracked.
Well we got out from under our beds and made a final survey of the place. A large piece of ceiling was resting in the arm chair which Lilian was sitting in a few minutes before. Good thing she was not in it otherwise she would have been killed. Her cigarette case & powder puff was blown to bits but the little mirror inside was not broken so our luck is still in.
We could not get to our neighbors as the fire engines, ambulances, Wardens, etc. were all there and we could not get by. We came back and turned on the wireless to cheer ourselves up while we cleared up the debris of glass, soot & all kinds of bits & pieces. Fortunately the electric light & water supplies did not fail. We were not injured. Lilian is very brave & decided not to have the place repairs as the next bomb will most probably wipe us out.
We have given your name and address to a friend, Mr. Mark Hayler, who will write and tell you if we are killed or badly injured in the future air raids. We are well on in years so ours will not cause any anxiety. Hally is well provided for and Lilians people are all independent. And you & I are the only ones left in our family.
I wish America would hurry up with ships & planes for her protection as well as ours. I should be sorry if America was about like our country. Anyway we shall win this war without a doubt & must put up with sad events & hard times & keep a stiff upper lip & onward smiling go. On the last raid in London my office was not damaged although an incendiary bomb dropped on the building opposite, nothing happened. Well dear, this is not a cheerful newsy letter but it might have been worse.
I am on night watch tonight 1:30 to 5 A.M. so must snatch a little sleep meanwhile. Goodnight. God bless you all. With love from us both.
Yours affectionately,
Stanley
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Letter from Stanley Turner to his sister Amy Turner Watt dated April 23, 1941 -
heavily edited by censor:
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90 Fir Tree Road
Banstead, Surrey
June 27th, 1941
Dear Amy & Tom,
You will think I have kept you a long time without news of us, and Stanley says that it is my turn to write. It is always a pleasure to do so, but I feel that it is not worth while just sending a scrappy note so have waited for that precious commodity so scarce these days 'Time'. And really I can truthfully say that we both had every moment more than occupied.
The builders arrived in early May put in the glass, and three new ceilings, you will not need telling of the upheaval that made. Rooms had to be cleared, furniture stored in the garage, three large bookcases emptied full of books that had to be carried down to the end of the garden and piled in the shed and then all brought back. It was worse than a move. We slept in each room in turn on the floor (did not matter much, we were up most of the time). The new ceilings made the walls look hopeless so we were obliged to have them all repainted. No workman for decorative work so I washed and prepared them - Stanley painted. He is a wizard with a paintbrush. They all match the ceilings - all the same shade a warm biscuit. It is called 'stone', but that does not describe it well.
So now we are all lovely and fresh and clean, and the walls make a lovely background for any colour scheme. We have a lovely shade of blue curtains, interlined so the horrid blackout does not show. Just now the vases are filled with masses of Madame Butterfly, a soft salmon pink rose which is very charming. I wish you could take a peep at it, I am sure you would love it. I dare not think of the possibility of being blitzed again, after all this work, in addition, or course, the garden has demanded attention and is now just at it’s very best. The rose hedge 30 ft long is a mass of colour and scents the whole garden. In the borders we have a fine show of Lupins, they are a new strain of many different pastel shades evolved by a man called Russell so they are named after him. They have very large blooms and the stems in some are 31 inches long. I took first prize the year before last and this year they are finer, but alas, no show and the Chelsea grounds where it was held has been bombed.
With the blue Delphiniums, they make a grand border and one looking at them one forgets that there is such a thing as war and it’s horrors. Certainly I for one would endorse 'That you are nearer Gods heart in a garden than anywhere else in the world' quotation probably faulty but sentiment there. Luckily we both share the same enthusiasm for the garden. Stanley’s lawns and grassy paths are his pride and joy. He is not fond of planting and digging, and seedlings - so that is my job. But the garden would look nothing without his well cut grass paths and beautiful sharp edges. (Like a frame to a picture). So nice of you to send the paper, which now returns to you, we much appreciate your letters and the news of yourself and your doings. You are fortunate to have Peggy so near. Carol’s picture arrived safely. We love it. She looks a darling. Stanley would adore her, he is so fond of baby girls, she would be utterly spoilt by him.
Your letter of June 1st arrived yesterday and decided me to write an answer at once. I have brought the typewriter out in the garden under the trees - enjoying both. You say it is cold and wet, so for once we can smile for we have had glorious weather and every meal outdoors for weeks now. A frost middle of May spoilt the Plums and some pears and apples but I think they may recover. This year I have a large bed of onions and leeks so shall, I hope, be all right for the winter. Springs are 1½ each and cucumbers 2/-4 each, lettuce 1/- so it saves to grow your own. Since May we have had 1 lb of cheese. I am not so keen but it makes vegetable dishes more nourishing so I grate it and it lasts out very well. I miss butter most, I think I have almost always made our own whole meal bread and that and a cup of tea with tomato or fruit is all I bother about, but I am not fond of eating bread and scrape.
No I think we have not heard your wireless man Kaltenborn, we hear commentaries from Raymond Gram Swing and Alistair Cooke - both excellent. What I wonder do you both think of the Russian news? If it were not so tragic, it would really be amusing to see our very strict conservatives gulping down the all aid to Russia, our new ally doctrine.
(Oh these politicians) I heard of one old crusty Colonel in his club heard to say that he hoped the Germans would bomb the Reds to HELL. No doubt he voiced the opinion of many of his kind. I have never been violently anti-Red for it seemed impossible for us to follow the political vagaries of race in it’s efforts to express itself after such a reign of torture by the Tsarist regime, so obvious that many mistakes must be made. I do not care for Stalin and I think his excuses this morning for fighting the Finns is very thin. 'They did so because he knew that the Germans would invade him from their territory.' Well, we have to shut our eyes. The one issue is to beat Hitler and all that he stands for, for the moment all must be subservient to that end Many here not think that war will end by Xmas I cannot feel so hopeful. So many factors to be taken in to account to finish that man off so quickly.
It is very kind of you women over there to work so hard. The children need clothes - they lose all they possess in these raids - you have all been most generous. Illie (Hally’s wife) is driving a new American canteen motor kitchen. She says they are marvelously fitted and supply the men on outposts with hot meals day and night. She does a radius of 50 miles around her home with four other ladies, all voluntary of course. She is a very good driver and they need care in narrow country lanes.
How pleased you must be that Billy has his degree. Please give him our congratulations. I hope he will not have to go into the army - it takes so much from them that is never regained. I trust that U. S. A. will be able to keep out of it, for so she will be more able to think clearly and help in the peace settlement. I remember in one of your letters you asked me who Dick Shepard was. He was the most popular preacher in London. At first Chaplain of the Chapel Royal, afterwards vicar or St. Martins in the Fields Trafalgar Square. His work there among the poor was wonderful. He opened the Crypt all night and served meals for them collecting thousands of pounds himself - used to sit in the front of the church with a table and do his writing - ardent socialist - went to prison for protesting against the treatment of women Suffragists, and was loved by everyone rich and poor alike. Finally founded the Peace Pledge Union, which, after his death became exactly what he did not want - political.
This must be posted today so, with love to you all from us both, Stanley writes to you soon. He is very fit but tired.
Affectly yours,
Lilian
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Letter from Lilian Gertrude Keevill Turner to Amy and Tom Watt dated June 27, 1941:
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Stanley's Auction and Survey House Career at Fairweather and Turner from 1916
Stanley's detailed 1916 letter to his sister Amy Turner in Boston, Massachusetts describing his new employment opportunity, his son, art, friends and family. |
Ours
Saxon Rd.
Selhurst
Sunday eve
My dear Amy,
I was glad when I saw the handwriting on the envelope. It was really good of you to reply so soon. I am sure the pictures were not worth much and I hope it has not left you short.
Well dearest, how pleased you will be to hear that I have fallen on my feet. I have left my old firm and have taken up the managership of the branch office of one of the oldest, in fact we are the oldest, firm of Auctioneers & Surveyors in London, having been established 143 years. My office is on the top of the Buxton Streatham Hill. Such a nice place. I dare say you will remember Mrs. Davey went to live at Streatham. It is rather a swell place.
The firm asked for a manager & over 500 men applied for the position and they only interviewed 10 and I was chosen, so my luck was in for once. I commence with a £26 rise from what I was getting at Terrys, my late firm, and I have 10% in all I do at this office, so you will guess that I shall not be exactly hard up in the future.
My mind is more at rest now and Lilian will not have to go out to work after Xmas. I have just a few things to clean up and then I hope for a spell of rest from money worries. I have worked hard, Amy, these last 3 years day and night & I really think I deserve what I have won. They are nice people, Father & Son. The son is 26 years of age and I think I may say, the most handsome man I have ever met only he is rather short. I should like you to see him.
I have the sole charge of the office and 3 men to look after. The turnover averages about £800 per ann. I should say and there is a lot of responsibility attached to it but I like being on the Bridge.
A friend of ours, a Mr. Finch, he is a very wealthy man (we were introduced to him by a lady whose property I manage privately) has taken a fancy to Hally and is going to get him into the London and Westminster Bank next year after he has passed the Oxford Exam. He will then be 16. Can you realize he is so grown up. I can’t. Mr. Finch is a Director of the Bank so his influence is worth having. This is a great relief to my mind as we have sacrificed such a lot for him to give him a good education and he is settled for life when he gets into the Bank and starts with 25₤. a week. A very good salary for a youth & a pension when he retires.
Lilian is in Glasgow now and the separation is costing us both very much. She is such a dear. She has worked hard for Hally to fit him in life and to give him his due, he appreciates it very much and is a good boy at school.
I enclose Lilian’s address. Perhaps you would like to write to her. She will be there until December the 20th. So you see, I have been alone (and it is so lonely) since the 20th October last. But I must not complain.
Well dearie, I hope to move into little better quarters next spring and perhaps you will be able to come and spend your summer holidays with us. How ( ) it would be, wouldn’t it? We would ( ) you a splendid time dear. Try & save up for it - do.
I am glad you have a friend to cheer you up. Is he Mr. Alexander? I will paint you a nice picture for a wedding present. Let me know in good time. I hope you are really happy, dear. I think much of you & hope every night that you are safe & well looked after.
Which picture did you like the best? Bosham Bridge is my favorite. I have just finished one & Oriental scene. I should like you to see the colors are very vivid but everyone admires it. I have some nice pictures. I love painting. I should so liked to have been an artist but it’s the old old cry - it doesn’t pay. I have sold one or two but the English people do not love real art. Tango dancing & other pleasures fill their life. But give me a beautiful picture & I am happy.
I must have been a bit of a scamp in some of my previous lives for my Karma is not good. I am afraid I believe and believe only dear “ that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. That is my religion & my creed. We are the result of our past lives, good or bad and we must live today to the very highest in every way if we want to be happy in our next life.
I’m afraid Nellie is, as you say, ill. Also, she is not happy with Jack. It worries me much. I would not say it to anyone else, but I don’t really trust him. I can not help remembering what his landlady said. She told me that, when poor Edie was dying, she begged him to send for me. Oh, how she wanted to tell me that it was all well between us. All a mistake and he let her die, Amy, and never told me of her illness until too late but dear girl someday she will be able to tell me as you do now that your love for me has never changed. They are nice words dearie and ring very true. Of course, true love never changes - only grows deeper and stronger as time goes on.
I hope Nellie is all right. I’m rather afraid of Consumption with her. When she last wrote, about a year ago, she said she always felt so tired and that, to my mind, looks very bad. I had a nice letter from Father & have written him one in reply. Poor old chap - seems to be aging. I suppose I shall not see him again in this world for I don’t think it very likely I shall come over to America - not for a long time at any rate. Well dearest, I must say good bye. God bless & keep you safe.
Ever yours,
Stanley
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Harold, Stanley's son sits on the far left smoking a pipe next to his step mother Lilian. Stanley with a large mustache sits next to Lillian on lounge chairs and enjoy tea on July 14, 1919 while living just South of London on Branden Valley Road in Streatham SW 16. |
Stanley's letter sent two months earlier to his father George Smith Turner on May 11, 1919. He discusses the first World War and how they "had may air raids" and " had a bomb within a few yards of our house." |
Branden Valley Rd.
Streatham SW 16
May 11th, 1919
My dear Father,
I was glad to have your letter & to hear you are in good health but sorry your sight is bad. It is a drawback to you because I remember you are so fond of reading.
How thankful we are the war is over (for the time being). I was offered a commission in the King’s Royal Rifles in 1915 but was not medically fit. I should liked to have gone but suppose it was for the best. Being a Surveyor, they said they could do with my services.
I am still with the same firm & manage their business, which is on a large scale and am financially quite comfortable.
Great changes are taking place regarding Land (democracy). The Nobles (Dukes, i.e.) are selling their estates. I enclose by this post a copy of the Estates Gazette. When you have read it, send it on to Jack. He would like it, I’m sure. Auctioneers are having a time of their lives making huge commissions. I have sold for various clients about £10,000 worth of real estate every week since Xmas and other business is brisk.
I returned from Sidmouth last week. South Devon W. Exetor - it is a lovely place. I should think Devonshire ( ) some beating for views. We spent Easter there. I had a fortnight leave & it has done me a lot of good.
You ask me what I think of Lloyd George’s Land schemes. He has many schemes, most of them he keeps to himself & springs them on the Public without notice but he is a fine man. Very clever & a great diplomat. He has done wonders.
Labour is unsettled but the Government have all matters well in hand and like all the dogs, the British Public & well muzzled.
Painters & Carpenters earn £5 to £6 f w now instead of £1.10 & £2.10 as prewar & they are mightily independent.
Food is very dear & so are clothes. £10 for a lounge suit. £2.10 for a pair of boots. You doubtless remember English prices. £500 a year is not much income now, I assure you, and means a man must be careful.
My wife’s son is an Officer in the King’s Royal Rifles & is in Germany. He joined up when he was 16 yrs of age and worked up from a Private. He had a terrible time & saw some dreadful things & much fighting. He was wounded twice, poor boy.
We had many air raids. The Huns used to come in to England S. E. coast & over Streatham so night after night we used to sit up expecting to be bombed any moment. Streatham got it badly & we had a bomb within a few yards of our house.
I have a very pretty place with a fine garden, lawn, etc. & we over look 40 acres of pasture so one might be living in the country.
I hope to retire from business later on & travel when I will come to America & see you, but it will not be yet.
Well, I will leave off now. By the way, don’t you think I look old? My hair is almost white now. I was quite gray when I was 28 years old. I feel 50 years of age sometimes. I suppose it is the responsibility.
With love, Your affectionate Son,
Stanley
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Lillian sends 1946 Auction Catalogs with a letter to Amy Turner Watt writing about Stanley's auction in the Kensington Palace. |
90 Fir Tree Rd.
Banstead Surrey
March 22, 1946
Dear Amy,
I thought you would like to have the catalogue of Stanley’s sale at the Palace. The "first" ever to be held in a Royal Palace and the papers are full of it & he is giving interviews all day. Unfortunately the Queen of Spain & Marquis of Carisbrooke have taken most of the really valuable curios however it should be a good sale.
Hope you are both quite fit. Love to all.
Lilian
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