The Army Camp

Benfleet resident Moira Coveney has recently come across these photographs of everyday life in the Benfleet army camp.  Her father, Frederick (Fred) Wallace, was stationed there and we believe he took these pictures in the early 1940s.  She remembers him as ‘always the joker’ and he certainly seems to be enjoying himself here. In the pics he is the gentleman in the spectacles.  Unfortunately Moira does not know the identity of the other soldiers.  She says that the photos showing filling the sandbags were taken in the Essex Way/Vicarage Hill area.

Thank you Moira for sharing these with us.

For more on the Camp click here  and here

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Frederick (Fred) Wallace Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Tug of War Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Relaxing Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Tug of War Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Fred Wallace on Horse Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Soldiers Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Soldiers Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Huts in the Background. Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Dressed in 'civies'. Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Fred Wallace in the spectacles 'larking around'. Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Fred at the wheel Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Kitchen duties Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Can we fix it? Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Cheers Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Filling Sandbags Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Filling Sandbags Army Camp Benfleet, 1940s Photo Moira Coveney

Fred, serious for once, at his wedding to Evelyn White in St. Mary's Church.