Wartime

Sunbury not only provided soldiers for the front, as did other towns and villages throughout the country, but because of its good road and rail links also functioned for the war effort in other ways. Kempton Park served during both wars, first as a marshalling yard from 1914 to 1918, then as a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War.

Bombs fell on Sunbury as they did on much of Middlesex, some in the river, others in Sunbury Park. On the river however the Upper Thames Patrol, a sort of water-borne Home Guard, wearing the 31st Middlesex shoulder badge, watched and acted when required. The panel shows one of the manned launches, whilst bombers rend the sky above. The small boats collected from Sunbury Reach are remembered by one of their Dunkirk plaques.