ENSA in Barham During WW2

Barham is a small village in the centre of Kent situated on the route of the Elham valley railway line. In 1940 all passenger services were suspended along this line which was then handed over to the War Department who undertook the running of the daily goods train. Engineers from the Railway Operating Troops also installed numerous loop sidings along the line for large 18 inch railway born guns known as Boche-Busters. One of these was situated in the loop siding at Barham

Around the time of Operation Overlord there is no doubt that ENSA shows were operating in the area. Barham is said to have been crawling with RAF and Army personal who were billeted at Barham Court which had been set up as a centre from which acts would go by coach to the various camps around Kent to give their shows.

It is not surprising therefore that all three pubs in Barham did a roaring trade during this period with the local children beside themselves trying to spot well known acts walking in and around the village.

The Sportsman's Arms was owned and run by Charles & Alice Munday throughout WW2 and an autograph album was permanently situated on the bar for anyone to leave a record of their visit.

Numerous entries in the autograph album were made by the ENSA acts that visited, some with added thumbnail sketches, visiting cards or photographs. A number of them left more than one entry, which seems to indicate that they were presumably making repeat visits as part of their touring of the various entertainment circuits in the area.