Chronology of Noteworthy Events - Part 2 In 1942 the sky over Thursley was continuously filled with Allied bomber squadrons on their way to targets across the English Channel. Enemy planes reciprocated by breaching Britain's air defences and entries in 1 NETD War Diaries made mention of Tweedsmuir Camp being bombed for the first and only time. In August the raid on Dieppe had failed and two months later the village of Thursley was shaken to its roots by the murder of Joan Pearl Wolfe; a crime that became famously known as "The Wigwam Murder". 1942 27 January 1942 The camp's medical personnel arrived to take up their duties. Although reports mention enemy planes circling the area, no bombs were dropped. 28 January 1942 A shortage of clerical staff in Tweedsmuir caused problems for the Lorne Scots in carrying out their duties. 9 February 1942 Conditions in the camp were beginning to get "a bit cramped" with no sign of Category 'E' men being drafted out. 12 February 1942 Activity in the air today." Personnel perceived that there was "... quite a battle ..." going on "... over the channel as the planes (were) flying over the camp squadron after squadron." 13 February 1942 The reason for the large number of planes over the camp on the 12th became clear. Following repairs, three German battleships ("Scharnhorst", "Gniesenau" and "Prinz Eugen") slipped out of Brest and "... deliberately sailed up the English Channel." The War Diary reports the loss of a number of planes and Air Force personnel in a vain attempt to stop them. 15 February 1942 "Churchill announces the fall of Singapore over the radio." 4 March 1942 An epidemic of petty thievery of cigarettes and parcels was reported. 18 March 1942 "A violent storm flooded the camp. The Orderly Room was surrounded by water and personnel had to balance themselves on the raised side of the roads in order to keep from getting washed away by the torent of water running down the road." 26 March 1942 Personnel were becoming "... invasion conscious ..." as plans were "... being made for the defence of the local area and orders being issued." Civilian police arrived with information regarding cheque forgery by Private Garland, one of the Category 'A' men 1 April 1942 More heavy rain flooded the camp roads. 18 April 1942 Air raid warning in the area. "All personnel assigned their duties." Anti-aircraft gun fire was heard in the distance and "... bombs (were) heard exploding. The buildings of the camp (shook) slightly. No bombs dropped in or near the camp." The same pattern of events unfolded on the following day, 19 April. 23 April 1942 A shed full of paper collected as salvage by the people of Thursley caught fire and was "completely demolished". Unit "fire pumps" helped to extinguish the fire. "The flames lit up the camp and personnel could see what a fire could do in assisting the enemy in locating large industrial buildings ..." (The shed was located next to Thursley Village cricket pavilion). 5 May 1942 The camp was being "cleaned up" and troops were "fixing up the gardens." 7 May 1942 In the afternoon a large heath fire broke out "... a few miles from the camp. Truck and party sent out." At 2215 hrs air activity was reported. Anti-aircraft gun fire could be seen and explosions heard in the distance. 8 May 1942 The fire, which started in the afternoon on the previous day, was brought under control after midnight and the party helping to put it out left for camp. On returning to their truck, they found it was "... bogged and they had to return ... on foot." Whilst coming back they noticed "... a glow in the woods ... about 1/4 mile from the camp. Upon investigation it was found to be an isolation hospital with no occupants. The building was burning fiercely and party did not leave until the Fire Brigade from Farnham and Elstead arrived. In order to get water they had to dam the stream. The building was completely burned. Orders were given that if the fire got near the camp it was to be evacuated." 9 May 1942 Another fire was reported "... raging not far from the camp." Captain Bullock (AD Officer) was notified and a party of fire fighters immediately sent out. 18 June 1942 Telephone message from Admiral Hamilton's wife and the Thursley Constabulary, informing that a further fire broke out on the common. Again, Captain Bullock and a group of fire fighters attended the scene. 22 June 1942 Air raid warning. "Enemy planes pass the camp and circle around this area for over an hour. Bombs dropped in the distance but not near the camp." 24 June 1942 Arrangements were made with USA HQ to have their staff stationed in the camp to carry out medicals and interview personnel enlisting in the US Army, UK. Three days later two dental centres were set up - one Canadian and one American. USA medical staff reported for work. The camp was "... filled to capacity ..." at this time. 2 July 1942 Camp command was informed that all Canadian hospitals were filled to capacity and "... clamouring to ship men ..." to Tweedsmuir. 14 July 1942 A practice gas attack was held on the morning of this day. Personnel were "... made to wear respirators for half an hour. A high wind drove most of the gas into the village and all the villagers were forced to wear their gas masks." A similar event took place on 21 July. 28 July 1942 Many enemy planes over the area. Anti-aircraft guns were heard in the distance. 6 August 1942 Photographs of individuals were taken for posterity. One included a picture of Colonel RS Timmis. Click the image for a larger picture. 19 August 1942 The assault on Dieppe was reorded in the 1 NETD Diary as follows. "Due to the large scale raid on France several hospitals called to say that they had to evacuate all Category 'E' personnel. We could only accomodate a few of them." 14 September 1942 Lt. Col. Louis Keene and his commanding officers met with Thursley's Civil Defence Group to coordinate efforts in case of an enemy assault on the area. 15 September 1942 Another gas mask practice for troops in the camp. This time real tear gas was used "... to make sure all respirators (were) properly adjusted." Lt. Col. Keene gave a talk on a new German high explosive incendiary bomb; a weapon that was dropped on the camp in November. 3 October 1942 Cold, misty day with thick fog at night. Lt. Col. Keene and Major DJ Burgoyne, returning from Farnham, had to "... get out of the car about a mile from the camp and guide the driver by flashlight, owing to the thickness of fog." 4 October 1942 Royal Marines, stationed at Houndown Camp across the road from Tweedsmuir, were on manoeuvres. Foggy all day. Towards the evening the fog thickens. 7 October 1942 "Body of a girl is found in the Thursley woods about one mile from camp (Tweedsmuir) by a Marine soldier who is stationed at Houndown Camp." (Such was the manner in which the finding of Joan Pearl Wolfe's body was reported in 1 NETD Diary. History has dubbed her demise as 'The Wigwam Murder'). 8 October 1942 Scotland Yard Officers (CID) and Godalming police arrived to "... start investigation in connection with the finding of the body of the girl in the Thursley Woods." 15 October 1942 An exhibition of War Paintings by Lt. Col. Keene, Commanding Officer 1 NETD, held at St Michael's Church Vicarage, Thursley in aid of the 'Church Roof Fund'. 27 October 1942 Eighty Marines were given refuge in Tweedsmuir due to Houndown Camp being "... thoroughly washed out." 7 November 1942 At 2240 hrs a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped on the camp, setting fire to the Officers' Mess. Godalming Fire Brigade had to be guided from the Thursley turning off the A3 to the camp. Prompt action by fire-watch personnel, aided by crew of No. 2 Pump, helped to control the fire. Incendiaries also caused a serious fire in the NAAFI store. A stick of high explosive bombs was dropped to the south of the camp, damaging the water sewage system, main water pipe and demolishing the Officers' Mess. Ablution tables, latrines and a fresh water supply had to be set up for 1,000 men. Six casualties found in the Officers' Mess, all of whom were "stretcher cases". They were brought to the medical room from where they were evacuated to No. 8 Canadian General Hospital in Crownthorne, Camberley. The air raid ceased at 2315 hrs. 28 November 1942 Lorne Scots Officers attended a Dinner Dance at Admiral Hamilton's home in aid of the 'Prisoners of War Fund'. 29 November 1942 A large number of Tweedsmuir Camp personnel attended a special service at Thursley Church for Prisoners of War. 3 December 1942 Lorne Scots held a very successful dance at Thursley Village Hall. 21 December 1942 A new fence, under the supervision of Sgt. Pritchard, had been completed "... as far as the Sergeants' Mess". The Officers' Mess kitchen had been enlarged and a potato peeler installed. 25 December 1942 Officers and NCOs served Christmas Dinner, which included turkey and Christmas pudding, to other rank personnel. 3,500 cigarettes were distributed to those who were in the camp. 26 December 1942 Lt. Col. Keene invited the camp's warrant officers and sergeants to spend an hour with him and his officers. A supper was arranged for 100 men in Thursley Village Hall followed by a concert party performance to an audience of 500. The evening was concluded by a dance with only 130 personnel attending. Copyright © 2006: Zen and Wies Rogalski