MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ADDED IN DUE COURSE TO THIS SECTION, ANY INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL CIVIL DEFENCE FOR THE SECTION WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE SOCIETY, GO TO CONTACT US MENU ON HOME PAGE.
BELOW IS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO
CIVIL DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS 1935- 1945
INFORMATION FROM THE CIVIL DEFENCE ASSOCIATION
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On the 9th of July, 1935 the Home Office , the government department charges with public protection, issued the first circular on Air Raid Precautions (ARP). Shortly after, the local authorities start setting up and recruiting their ARP services. In December 1937, the ARP Act was passed so that fronm the 1st of January 1938, running the ARP services became compulsory for local authorities rather than the home office.
Soon after war was declared on the 3rd of September, 1939 `ARP` became Civil Defence General Services`and volunteer recruitment rose to a maximum of 1,900.000 men, women and included boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 years.
They were engaged in duties such as :
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Wardens – responsible for providing advice and guidance on air raid precautions to the local community in their area, and for reporting damage and casualties to their local authority civil defence control centre.
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Rescue – responsible for the extrication of victims trapped by bomb damage.
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First Aid – provision of immediate first aid to casualties caused by air raids.
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Welfare – this role was mainly undertaken by Women`s Voluntary Service and involved the manning of rest centres and emergency feeding.
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Fire Watchers – observe and report the use of incendiaries by bombers.
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Messengers – this role was mainly undertaken by boys and girls, in particular members of youth organisations such as Church Lads, Brigade Boys, Scouts and others. They took written messages between wardens posts and local authority civil defence control centres.
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The Home Guard
On 14 May 1940, Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for War, encouraged men aged 17-65 and unable to serve in the forces to join the Local Defence Volunteers. Within 24 hours, 250,000 men had registered and, by the end of June 1940, nearly 1.5million had volunteered. Weapons were slow to materialise, due in part to the equipment losses at Dunkirk, so many initially improvised with brooms, umbrellas and golf clubs. In July 1940 Winston Churchill changed the name to ‘Home Guard’.
The Emergency Services
As war broke out, the Emergency Services began to appeal for volunteers, their usual numbers depleted by military service. The Auxiliary Ambulance Service began recruiting, and Ennis Smith became the youngest ambulance driver aged 16.
The Auxiliary Fire Service (later the National Fire Service) was also created. Its members were usually too old or young for military service and most were unpaid part-timers. Initially perceived as ‘service-dodgers’, they became public heroes when the Blitz began.
Many police officers also were young men or reservists, so the government and the police authorities had to recruit volunteers to keep up the numbers. Reserve policemen, special constables and women officers were signed up. As well as normal law-keeping duties, they became responsible for checking on enemy aliens, pursuing Army deserters and assisting the rescue services during bombing raids.
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During the air raids many acts of bravery were carried out, and a number of volunteers received including the George Cross, the George Medal, King`s Commendations for brave conduct and many others.
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Sadly, over 7,000 Civil Defence volunteers gave their lives during World War Two.
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If you have any information / photos etc that may be of interest ,especially in relation to local Civil Defence , then please let us know by going to the contact us menu on the home page.
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Below Picture of Civil Defence Memorial
National Arboretum
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