This press photo ran in American newspapers on 11 April 1941 with the heading “Spitfire Boys”. The caption read ” Youngsters of Brixton doing their part in England’s war effort by collecting firewood in their spare time and selling it.”
Lord Beaverbrook, owner of the Daily Express sent the US newspaper a letter of thanks and nine guineas which they contributed toward the purchase of a Spitfire plane. Lord Beaverbrook was a press baron and close associate of Churchill who worked wonders in increasing British aircraft production.
Brixton was not hit as hard as the East End, but it was also bombed during the Blitz.
The boys here were possibly evacuated at the onset of the War and back in London for reasons unknown!
2 comments
My grandad is the boy second from the left in this photo!
My father in law is Geoff Wells.
He is next to your grandad, second on the right. Is your grandad Johnnie Huckstep ?
I’ve just shown him this photo and he said he was his best friend before Johnnie went into the RAF in Ireland.
How amazing and what a photo.
Do you have any more information you can share please.