Elmers End Bus Garage Memorial

1. London Transport Museum
Covent Garden, London 
The Elmers End memorial can be found here

2. Elmers End Bus station memorial
Information board at the museum

3. Elmers End memorial display 

'London Transport at war' section 

London Transport Museum

4. Elmers End Bus Station memorial (detail)

Records the names of 10 staff killed
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V1 bombing of Elmers End, Beckenham, London

On 18 July 1944 in the middle of London's 'Second Blitz' a V1 flying bomb ("doodlebug") landed on Elmers End bus station, south London. At least 17 civilians lost their lives because of the explosion, including 10 members of London Transport staff. Despite the loss of 39 vehicles in the explosion normal bus services were resumed the following day. 

Ten years later, in 1954, a memorial tablet was dedicated at Elmers End bus station commemorating the 10 staff members who died. A second tablet was unveiled at the main entrance gate to the station which was named after one of the engineering staff, John Cunningham, who had sounded the alarm bell warning of the approaching V1 before he was killed. 

When Elmers End bus station was closed in 1986 the memorials were moved. The  'Cunningham Gate' memorial was moved to the another London Transport garage at Norwood, also south London. Initially the main bus station war memorial was taken to the London Transport Museum at Acton. It has subsequently been cleaned up and incorporated into a section of the museum's 'London Transport at War' section at Covent Garden, London, as can be seen in the above photographs. 

For additional information click on 'Comments' below. 
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Learning the truth of Marine Robert Casson on D-Day

1. Marine Robert Casson from Whitehaven
Born 1 March 1919, Died 6 June 1944 
46 Royal Marine Commando/4th Special Service Brigade
Killed at sea, landing on Juno Beach, Normandy
(Robert's brother Joseph also died in Normandy) 

2. Robert Casson's niece Mary Holland 
A pilgrimage to Normandy and the beaches
April 2018

3. Robert's niece Mary Holland and her husband John
Remembering two of Mary's uncles:
Robert Casson, died 6 June 1944
 Joseph Casson, died 27 June 1944 
Normandy Veterans Memorial, Whitehaven (June 2018)

4. Robert Casson's wartime medalas and certificate
Issued to his family by the M.O.D. in April 2018

5. WW2 memorial at Rowntrees factory, York 
Mary Holland points to her Uncle Robert's name
Robert Casson worked at Rowntrees before the war
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Royal Marine Robert Casson, EX/3236, originally from Whitehaven was killed at sea while landing on Juno Beach on the first day of the Normandy Landings, D-Day 6 June 1944. He is buried at Ryes (Bazenville) War Cemetery, Calvados, Normandy next to his younger brother Joseph who also died in the Normandy campaign. 

In 2018 Robert's family obtained his wartime service records and his medal entitlement. For the first time Robert's relatives were able to learn the truth of what happened on D-Day. It also turned out that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission had incorrectly recorded Robert as serving with 45 Royal Marine Commando. In reality, his Robert's records show he was serving with 46 Royal Marine Commando (attached 4th Special Service Brigade H.Q.). The Commission has since corrected their information about Robert.   

Most of this new research about Robert Casson was done by his niece, Mary Holland and her husband John. 

Click on 'Comments' below to read John and Mary's summary of Robert Casson. 

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