Pubs At War - Flying Drays And Fallen Pubs Historic London Pubcast podcast

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Pubs at War - Flying Drays and Fallen Pubs

10d ago 38:59

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This special Remembrance Sunday episode of The Historic London Pubcast takes us into the lesser-known wartime history of British pubs. From the cellars of London to the beaches of Normandy, discover how these beloved local landmarks became unlikely heroes during World War II.

We revisit The Black Horse in Marylebone, where D-Day plans were floated over pints, and tell the Spitfire beer story that led to the legendary Flying Drays - aircraft ferrying beer to troops during the Normandy beer run.

We hear how the Wenlock Brewery became a lifesaving shelter, and how pilots like Robert Stanford Tuck and Douglas Bader made The Chesterfield Arms/The Shepherd’s Arms in Mayfair their wartime HQ.

We also honor lost pubs - The Hare and Hounds in Hampstead and The White Horse Hotel in East Ham - and explore the enduring symbolism of pubs like The Douglas Bader Pub in Ipswich. With research drawn from Martin Cornell’s Strange Tales of Ale, this episode pays tribute to the resilience, spirit, and community found in pubs across the UK.

Whether you're a history buff, pub lover, or planning a walking tour of London, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Cover Image Source

https://www.spitfires.com/post/ale-delivery-spitfires

Website: https://historiclondonpubcast.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Chapters

1. Introduction. Podcast Producer Andy Meddick explains an episode schedule change and introduces a more reflective episode in honor of Remembrance Sunday. (00:00:00)

2. Welcome. Host & Guide Eric Blair explains the concept of a ‘Pubs At War’ episode. Eric explores how wartime pubs served as shelters, morale boosters, and part of the war effort. (00:04:57)

3. The Black Horse, Marylebone: D-Day Strategy Pub. A favorite story of how a London pub unknowingly influenced the planning of D-Day. (00:06:05)

4. Flying Pubs & Spitfires with Beer. The ingenious beer deliveries via Spitfire drop tanks post-D-Day and the origins of the term “Flying Drays.” (00:10:00)

5. Beer Supply Chain for Troops. How beer supply evolved during WWII and challenges faced by British brewers. (00:14:56)

6. Pub & Brewery Bombings in London. Recounting specific pubs and breweries damaged in the Blitz, including the Wenlock Brewery tragedy. (00:16:23)

7. RAF Pub Memories: Chesterfield Arms/Shepherd’s Arms. Why this Mayfair pub became the favorite of WWII fighter pilots such as Robert Stanford Tuck. (00:23:53)

8. Pub Escapes & Wartime Camaraderie. Tuck’s story with fellow pilot “Cowboy” Bashford and their pub adventures during bombing raids. (00:28:43)

9. Douglas Bader: Fighter Pilot & Pub Hero. The incredible story of Bader, his prosthetic legs, POW experience, and the pub named in his honor. (00:30:37)

10. Closing Thoughts. Tuck and Bader formed friendships with former German enemies post-war. Pubs as places of memory, resilience, and community. Tributes to those who serve. (00:34:16)

11. A Look Ahead. Next Episode Tease - Hackney. A lively preview of the next episode, exploring Hackney’s punk, protest, and pub culture. (00:37:48)

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