30th April 1940

At about 11.15 tonight the whole town was shaken by a tremendous explosion. Doors and windows rattled, china jumped about. We were all sitting in the dining room, round the fire. Mother and Father were considerably startled. I looked outside but all was black as pitch, and nothing more could be heard. I expect it must be another explosion in a munitions works. Perhaps at Lt. Oakley or even Waltham Abbey.

See Eric's post on 1st May 1940 and 9th May 1940 for more information on this explosion.