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This story was submitted by Allen Buckroyd, who compiled ‘Great Baddow Oral History’, published in December 2003. The book contained this contribution from the late Reg Spalding and has been added to the site with his widow’s permission. She fully understands the terms and conditions.
Bangs, Bombs and Blackout
Reg Spalding

Reg Spalding wrote of the damage at Meadgate Farm in his journal:
At Meadgate we had been very unlucky. A big landmine landed seventy yards from the front of the house. Luckily the blast went upwards, but it blew all the windows in and blew off the roof. Then when the vacuum filled up the windows came outwards. I was picked up and thrown right across the lane and into a ditch, landing on my head. After that I spent twenty-seven days in bed in a Chelmsford hospital.

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