When West Was East

A Memory of West Horndon.

My grandparents James & Emily Lee lived at 16 Station road from about 1938 to 1946, it was called East Horndon then. Part of that time my mother and I lived with them, most of the war years.
My grandfather and my mother worked at Rotary Hoes when it made munitions during the war, my grand farther remained working there until he was laid off at the age of 83. I also served my apprentiship at Rotary Hoes but living in Brentwood at that time.
My early recollections of the village are during the war, grandad James Lee was the Warden he had an arm band and tin hat to show for it, and responsible to see no lights could show at night.
On Station road almost all of the homes were on the north side. There was just a corn field between the road and LMS rail line. I and other children often played in this field; I remember Bobby English, Aldery Parker, and several others living on Cadogan Ave or road. Another place where children played was at the end of Cadogan Ave where an old car had been abandoned.
I remember Malcom Hays his father ran the general store at the end of Thorndon Ave, also Ann Choome or Chrome her mother was the village hair dresser.
Also remember that tragic collision of the 2 B 17's think it was a Sunday evening. Odd thing I worked with an American pilot of a B 17 many years later that served in England and flew 20 missions he remembered it well. Many recollections of war events almost seam unreal now. The most vivid in memory, is the morning after the first day of the blitz, as the sun rose in the east under low clouds its red glow matched the red glow from London fires in the west, and the sense of horror and despair of the adults., Well enough of that.
Good memories of trips and stays to my Aunts home on Saint Mary’s Lane, many visits to the Crain's farm. A few trips to Herongate & Ingrave and the church there where both my grandmother & grand farther were laid to rest. My last visit there in about 2001, but now I can use Google earth to see the changes it’s much easier than the ride from California.
Irwin Glibbery.

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