Back in 2003 when I spoke with the late RNZAF Spitfire ace Edward “Bill” Wells, he told me that whilst with No. 41 Squadron at Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain, he lived in the Mess but regularly he and the other pilots had nights out at two pubs, The Bull and The Angel.
I have been doing some Googling and conclude that The Bull is most likely the pub of that name in nearby Market Place, Romford. But the closest pub I can find that comes close to The Angel is The New Angel Inn, at Broadway, Rainham. I see on Google that used to be known as The Angel. Would this be the right pub that the squadron used to use? Does anyone know? It’s a ten minute drive according to Google from there to Hornchurch so not too far away.
By: Dave Homewood - 29th April 2016 at 04:15
Yes, but a WWII Air Force Pub Guide website would be a better idea so you can add more to it over time as the info and the stories and memories flow in. Britain would have a lot of Air Force-frequented pubs, but I know of a few even here in New Zealand too that were the “local” for RNZAF Stations.
By: J Boyle - 29th April 2016 at 03:52
Interesting book or story idea…pubs of flying units during WW2.
Some obviously are very well known, others not so much. And I would imagine many have been extensively renovated or renamed.
By: Dave Homewood - 28th April 2016 at 23:12
Thanks. OK, a ten minute bicycle ride then. 🙂
Bill never mentioned The Bell.
By: Richard gray - 28th April 2016 at 13:13
I would say that you are right about the pubs. but way out with your calculations of the distances.
Lets say our starting point is the Good intent Pub which is close to the airfield.
(The Good Intent pub, formerly with a large concrete, planetarium-like dome next door (used for training airgunners), still exists on the Southend Road, was popular with the aircrews, and has an interesting collection of photos of the Station.)
To The Bull in Romford as the crow flies is approx. 2.6 mls.
to The Angel in Rainham atcf is approx. 1.6 mls. so both would be well in range of a fit airman on shanks pony, quicker still on a bike.
Note; there is also, The Bell pub, close to the Angel in Rainham.
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April 27, 2016 at 11:06 pm