The Somerhill Camp (now Weald of Kent School) - Circa 1950’s

During the second world war, the grounds of the Somerhill estate near Tudeley Lane were used an Italian prisoner of war camp. When the war ended, these temporary structures were used as social housing until permanent housing was constructed nearby and this site was replaced with Weald of Kent school. Anne Clement, a long term Tonbridge resident shares her memories of visiting friends who lived in these happy homes, the love affairs that went on there and rumours of ‘Italian babies’. Peter Ruck recalls one of his first jobs during his time living in nearby Kings Road and his memories of ‘The Camp’.

Pic: Courier Archives/Gavin Sawyer’

Music: ‘That’s Amore’, Dean Martin/’Oh very young’, Cat Stevens