Whilst carrying out some research at the Essex Record Office I came across a bundle of papers that gave details of incidents during World War II in the Ongar Rural District Council area. They mainly relate to long range rocket incidents in 1944 and 1945 reported to the ARP’s.
I have extracted some of the incidents relevant to our area.
The first V2 rocket to land on British soil hit Chiswick, West London at 6.43pm on the 8th September 1944. Just sixteen seconds later another landed in Parndon Wood, near Epping. It was fired from Holland, and aimed at a point just south of Southwark Bridge. It landed eighteen miles short of its target. The sound of the explosion was heard for miles around, and was immediately investigated by Ted Carter, Chief Warden for the Urban District of Waltham Holy Cross. In his report, written the next day, he says
“Ellis took Mick and I out through Epping and Thornwood Common to a lane off to the west, and after crossing a ploughed field, found the crater in a small wood. It was eight feet deep and twenty feet across. Trees and shrubs all around were just wiped out.”
At the time it was not known what had caused the explosion.
1944
18 November
Exploded Wasp – 11.13 hrs. Stanford Rivers, north of Marsh Cottages, nr. Tracey’s Farm. Extent of damage not yet available.
18 November
At 16.07 hrs on the 18th November 1944, suspected wasp ¼ mile south of Hill Hall, Theydon Mount. Slight damage to Hill Hall only.
20 November
At 13.15 hrs. Suspected wasp Abridge aerodrome. No casualties- blast damage to RAF building.
27 December
At 01.20 hrs 27.12.45. Long range rocket 300 yds. South of Dudbrook Hall, Navestock. Considerable blast damage to Dudbrook Hall.
1945
3
January
At 19.09 hrs 3.1.45. Fly-bomb explosive in ploughed field 30 yards south-east of junction of Epping to Ongar road. 20 yards south of Epping road. Severe damage to Radleys Tea Rooms and slight damage to Rectory, Sayers Farm, Hobbans Farm and adjoining buildings.
5
January
At 00.45 hrs 5.1.45. Long range rocket exploded at the back of the Green Man Public House, Navestockside. 12 houses damaged.
6
January
At 08.30 hrs exploded long range rocket rear of Green Man Public House, Toot Hill, Ongar. Damage to Steers Farm and the Green Man Public House.
12
January
At 17.35 hrs. one long range rocket, St James Avenue, Marden Ash, Ongar. Extensive property damage
13
January
At 01.00 hrs long range rocket 150 yards southeast of Freemans Farm, Toot Hill, in open ground. Several houses damaged.
23
January
Long Range Rocket, Stapleford Aerodrome. Damage to surrounding buildings together with cottages adjoining aerodrome.
23
January
Damage reported to Arnolds Farm, and to buildings together with cottages adjoining aerodrome.
(connected to previous incident?)
4
February
Long Range Rocket explodes at Burchin Coppice, Theydon Garnon. No damage and no casualties
26
February
At 09.12 hrs. 26.2.45, L.R.R. near Radley’s Tea Rooms, Ongar, Epping Road. Radley’s Tea Rooms badly damaged. Map ref:- L/974238.
Reference to message 09.40 hrs. L.R.R. exploded 800 yards South-East of Bobbingworth Church, 600 yards east of Greensted. Epping to Ongar Rd. Damage to two cottages on Epping Road and lesser damage to surrounding property including Farm, Bobbingworth Rectory and School.
27
February
At 05.32 hrs L.R.R. exploded in wheat field at Searles Hall and Donaldsons Farm, Theydon Garnon. Slight damage to Mount Village and to surrounding open property.
1
March
At 05.05 hrs. 1.3.45. a L.R.R. near Albyns, Stapleford Tawney. Historical building and three cottages badly damaged.
1
March
At 02.12 hrs 1.3.45. suspected L.R.R. in field between Navestockside and Dudbrook House. Damage to Dudbrook House, Green Man and Post Office at Navestockside.
7
March
03.30 hrs a L.R.R. exploded 400 yards south of Piggotts Factory, Stanford Rivers. 2 cotts. 200 yards away from main road were badly damaged. Also damage to other nearby property
12
March
At 01.34 hrs 12.3.45. a L.R.R. exploded in open field 400 Yards north of Little Colmans Farm, Stanford Rivers. Slight glass damage to buildings to within 400 yards of crater.
Map ref: L/987202. Size of crater 20ft x 5ft.
25
March
At 07.55 hrs. 25.3.45. exploded fly bomb in open field at Wash Farm, 600yds south east of Piggots Tent Factory, Stanford Rivers. Slight damage in the vicinity.
26
March
At 00.33 hrs. 26.3.45. L.R.R. half – mile south of Beehive Hotel, Manor Road, Lambourne End, in Hainault Forest. Map Ref. L.921128. Slight damage to one Hotel, one farm. Ten cottages, Forest Café and The Stores.
26
March
At 09.05hrs. 26.3.45. L.R.R. exploded in field 100 yards south of Waterhales Farm, Navestock. Map ref. L/985144. Slight damage to property.
ERO Ref 19613