The station opened on 5 June 1939[1] to serve a new housing estate and was named after a nearby battle where King Penda was killed.

The station was named by Gertrude Bray, a local builder and politician who was responsible for developing the housing estate it served.

[4] The station was intended to serve the increasing commuter traffic in the area.

Its platforms, which were both 120 yards (110 m) long, and the waiting rooms, had been constructed of wood.

The station was staffed and handled parcels as well as baskets of homing pigeons, but it had no freight facilities.