Deepwater Road when the 'Doodlebug ' landed

Written by June Knock nee Ward

Doodlebug

My Mother, Aunt and my sister and I lived in Deepwater Road when the ‘Doodlebug ‘ landed on the bungalow owned by Mr Ped Scott.

My mother at the time was working in the Admiral Jellicoe and my Aunt was doing war work in London on that fateful Saturday the 24th June 1944. My sister (she now lives in Australia) who was 8½ years of age and myself 11 years of age left home at midday to go to the Admiral Jellicoe to get our picture money for the Rio cinema. As we were standing by the bus stop in the village we saw the V1 being chased by one of our aeroplanes.

We learnt since he was firing at it to turn it towards the sea and then fire to explode it. This he did but on firing at it over the Thames it turned and headed for Deepwater Road where the engine of the V1 failed and landed on Mr Scotts wooden bungalow. The bungalow next door to Mr Scott was the home of your now great councilor Ray Howard.

My sister and I were to be bridesmaids the following week to one of our Uncles and we were both concerned that our bridesmaids dresses had been ‘blown up’. Our mums bungalow being opposite where the bomb dropped. Being children we saw no fear as to what we might see in Deepwater Road we made our way there.

The Jellico PH

Mr Scott owned a very large chicken and geese farm and to see the feathers lying thick on the ground it seemed as if loads of feather beds had been emptied. We reached the shell of our bungalow and made our way climbing over the remains of our Mothers front room and went to her bedroom. The wardrobe was on its side, but, our dresses were ok.

We then made our way back to the bus stop and got the next bus to the Jellicoe where we told our Mum what had happened. She promptly fainted in the arms of her friend Emmie Weston (Auntie Em). We were billeted at the Admiral Jellicoe for about 18 months to 2 years until our home in Deepwater Road was repaired for habitation.

Comments about this page

  • I would be interested to know the date when this doodlebug fell.

    By Terry Buchanan (26/07/2010)
  • The date was 22 July 1944

    By Janet Penn (26/07/2010)
  • June, do you remember Betty Brace? Mum would love to hear from you, if you would like to write to her address in Lincolnshire I’ll make sure she gets the letter. I should have been in Ray’s house playing while Mum went up to May Avenue, my brother was 6 weeks old. I played up because I wanted to go with Mum. She probably didn’t think I would be able to walk such a long way. As she was in a hurry she took me with her, we had got as far as Kitkats Road when the Doodlebug hit Uncle Ped’s place, Mum dumped me into the pram and ran all the way home. I remember old Mrs Scott being led away to the top of Deepwater Rd. The soldiers had to rescue the baby’s washing from up the chimney, where it had been blown by the blast. Mum’s now 96 and still tells us about old Canvey, her school days, and the fun they had. she also recalls the people of the village and where they all lived.

    By v court (28/10/2010)
  • Yes Valerie, I do remember Betty Brace, she was one of the 4 casulties of the ‘Doodle Bug’ in Deepwater Road. She worked in the Newsagents in Long Road opposite Deepwater Road. I have found your Mums address in Sleaford and will be writing to her today. We moved from Canvey in 1991 after living there for 52 years. We still visit as our daughter Jane still lives there. We sadly lost our son (the little baby you used to take out in the pram)Richard nearly 8 years ago. Charlie and I have many happy memories of our time on Canvey and all the people we used to know. please get in touch with us. Our email address is……….cjk615@hotmail.com

    By June Knock nee Ward (11/12/2010)
  • At the time the “Doodlebug” exploded my mother, grandmother and I were in the Winter gardens. I would have been maybe four or five. I have fond memories of Betty as she used to give me sweet ices, (frozen lollypops, without the stick). I suppose we went to see what had occurred in the village. In later life I asked mother about this incident. I am now in my seventies, still remember as if yesterday. I missed her for a long time as a fine young lady. I guess I still do.

    By Michael (29/07/2011)
  • I loved reading the comments about Canvey Island. We lived there 1947 1948 while waiting to come to Australia. My best friend was the coalman’s daughter Jean. I can’t remember her surname but I was only 11 and now I am 75 and memory not so good. She had a big terrier called Ruff. If anyone knows of her or her family could you please let me know.I would be very greatful.

    By Janet Hodges (31/07/2011)
  • Hi Janet……..The coalman you were talking about was Vic Scott and his wife Annie. The lived and had their coal yard on the corner of Laburnham Grove. Their daughter Jean ( married name Drummond) has a daughter Jane King who is or was a councillor on the Island. Hope this helps. We have not lived on Canvey Island for over 20 years but visit often as we have family still living there

    By June Knock (11/10/2011)
  • Jane King is still a councillor on the Island but for the Canvey Independent Party

    By Janet Penn (11/10/2011)
  • my cousins amy & vera howard { cousins of ray howard} lived in a prefab in laburnham ave canvey.

    By margaret selby {nee brace} (18/05/2013)

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