|
|
1939 AD |
Many evacuees come to Wiltshire |
|
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Many Wiltshire engineering factories turned over to war work and munitions; Spitfires made and flown from Wiltshire, many airfields and army camps in the county |
|
Aldbourne
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
13 men from the village killed in World War II |
|
Aldbourne
|
1939 AD |
W.T. Loveday iron foundry becomes the Aldbourne Engineering Company |
|
Amesbury
|
1939 AD |
The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment moves to Boscombe Down |
|
Ashton Keynes
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
British, Canadian and American troops were stationed here at different times. |
|
Ashton Keynes
|
1939 AD |
There were 14 acres of water in the area. Today after extracting 15 million tons of gravel there are 150 acres of lakes. |
|
Ashton Keynes
|
1939 AD |
Some evacuee children from nearby towns and cities went to the village. |
|
Calne
|
1939 AD |
Gas works in Horsebrook closed; swimming pool closed |
|
Chippenham
|
1939 AD |
The Oxo Company opens a factory in Chippenham |
|
Chippenham
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Second World War; evacuees in Chippenham, many younger men in the armed forces, many women on war work, rationing, fear of bombing by planes returning from the Midlands, Westinghouse factory a Luftwaffe target; Home Guard formed, Air Raid Wardens, black outs at night, defences against invasion such as the pill box by the old Calne railway bridge, temporary army camps around Chippenham and American soldiers later in the war |
|
Corsham
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Corsham Court used as a convalescent home during World War II and old underground quarries used for aircraft parts manufacture |
|
Corsham
|
1939 AD |
The old Liberal Hall, now named Priory Street Hall, used as a Roman Catholic Chapel |
|
Cricklade
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Former Baptist church used as a WVS canteen for the armed forces |
|
Hullavington
|
1939 AD |
Telephone exchange built |
|
Keevil
|
1939 AD |
A fire destroyed three cottages on Martins Road- ten people were left homeless |
|
Keevil
|
1939 AD |
Mere farm demolished to make way for the new Keevil Airfield |
|
Melksham
|
1939 AD |
The market is closed; the Roman Catholic church of St. Anthony of Padua is built in West Street |
|
Melksham
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
RAF camp either side of Berryfields Lane |
|
Minety
|
1939 AD |
180 evacuees for the local area arrived at Minety station. Some of these children were on their way to Crudwell and other parts of North Wiltshire |
|
Purton
|
1939 AD |
North View becomes a hospital for mentally handicapped women |
|
Ramsbury
|
1939 AD |
Cattle fair held on 14 May has ceased by this time; last blacksmith in the village closed |
|
Ramsbury
|
1939 - 1940 AD |
Water supply scheme built for the village |
|
Ramsbury
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Land between Elmdown Farm and Park Farm used as an RAF airfield during World War II |
|
Sherston
|
1939 AD |
Sherston Mens' Club moves to the High Street; British Schoolrooms needed for National Service; Balcony House ran as a guest house |
|
Westbury
|
1939 AD |
Leighton House and Park requisitioned by the War Department as a convalescent depot; Bitham Mill converted from steam power to electricity |
|
Wilton
|
1939 - 1945 AD |
Carpet factory ceases the manufacture of carpets during World War II to wash army blankets and manufacture camouflage, kitbags and tarpaulins |
|
Wilton
|
1939 AD |
Churchyard of the Church of St. Mary, Brede Street, transformed into a garden of peace and dedicated. The chancel, all that remains of the church, is rehallowed |
|
Wootton Bassett
|
1939 AD |
Hope Church closes |
