Defending the Nation

Part I

“We thought we were special when a sign

was screwed to our door.”

Press ‘ESC’ at any time to stop the presentation

By Martin Williams

Discussion:

Describe the expressions upon people’s faces within this part of Paul

Day’s Battle of Britain Memorial Sculpture. What feelings are being

expressed?

Identify the different types of people. What are they

doing?

1.

2.

3.

4.What do you think has just happened?

Each town had a team of Air Raid Wardens.

Below are Air Raid Wardens from Cwmbran.

Photograph courtesy of Torfaen Museum Trust

What does this photograph tell you about the type of war and scale of destruction that was expected?

Look carefully at this photograph.

Are you surprised by the composition of Fire Watchers – if so how?

Image courtesy of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Libraries. W.W. Price Collection

Fire Watchers - Aberdare

This image provided by Torfaen Museum Trust shows a

Fire Watcher’s (Fire Guard) helmet.

Can you think of any reasons why women were employed in such large numbers to do this job?

Image courtesy of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Libraries. W.W. Price Collection

Fire Watchers - Aberdare

Look carefully at this photograph.

Are you surprised by the composition of Fire Watchers – if so how?

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

According to this document who has been enrolled as an

Air Raid Warden?

What does ARP stand for?

According to this document who has been enrolled as an

Air Raid Warden?

What address is given?

What does ARP stand for?

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

According to this document who has been enrolled as an

Air Raid Warden?

What address is given?

Do you find any of these facts surprising?

What does ARP stand for?

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

Look at the office stamp on

this document.

When did World War Two

break out?

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

Look at the office stamp on

this document.

When did World War Two

break out?

Why would the Local

Authority enrol Air Raid

Warden’s before the

outbreak of war?

How effective do you think this document is in trying to

persuade women in particular to become an

ARP Warden?Document image courtesy of Northamptonshire Record Office, Ref LG1/16/62

Highlight the words and phrases that emphasise the importance of becoming a

warden.

Do you find the statement in the top right hand corner of the document surprising?

Why?

Document image courtesy of Northamptonshire Record Office, Ref LG1/16/62

This document is privately owned and permission to reproduce this image must be sought from the copyright holder. See www.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/18319 ref.GTJ11179

What type of warfare do you think the Local Authority expected if war

were to break out in Europe?

What has this certificate been presented for?

Discuss: Does this document further our knowledge regarding the type of war that the Government was preparing for?

Image courtesy of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Libraries. W.W. Price Collection

What is this sheet giving information about?

The information below was given out to all ARP Wardens.

Group Gas Properties Smell Effects Remark

Lungs Chlorine A Gas – Greenish colour corrodes metals. Will rot clothing.

Chloride of Lime

Highly lethal, owing to damage to lungs. Early symptoms – cough and watering of eyes. Signs of lung damage develop later.

Respirator affords complete protection.

Blister Mustard An oily liquid which may vary in colour from dark brown to straw yellow. Soluble in oil and spirits. Neutralised by bleaching powder. Great power of penetration. Delayed action. High boiling point. High freezing point.

Garlic, onions, horse-radish ormustard

Vapour in eyes causes irritation and inflammation with swelling. A temporary loss of vision usually occurs within 24 hours. Tears earlier. In liquid it causes a loss of voice and cough. Later bronchitis and possibly broncho-pneumonia. On Skin it produces redness, irritation and perhaps blisters.

Respirator affords complete protection

According to this information how important were respirators as a means of protecting yourself from a gas attack?

Group Gas Properties Smell Effects Remark

Lungs Chlorine A Gas – Greenish colour corrodes metals. Will rot clothing

Chloride of Lime

Highly lethal, owing to damage to lungs. Early symptoms – cough and watering of eyes. Signs of lung damage develop later.

Respirator affords complete protection.

Blister Mustard An oily liquid which may vary in colour from dark brown to straw yellow. Soluble in oil and spirits. Neutralised by bleaching powder. Great power of penetration. Delayed action. High boiling point. High freezing point.

Garlic, onions, horse-radish ormustard

Vapour in eyes causes irritation and inflammation with swelling. A temporary loss of vision usually occurs within 24 hours. Tears earlier. In liquid it causes a loss of voice and cough. Later bronchitis and possibly broncho-pneumonia. On Skin it produces redness, irritation and perhaps blisters.

Respirator affords complete protection

I’m losing my voice, I can’t….(cough) stop

(cough), coughing and my eyes are swollen. All

I can smell is horse-radish!

You’ve breathed in

Chlorine Gas.

You’ve breathed in

Mustard Gas.

Click on the correct speech bubble

That’s Right

!Mustard Gas is a ‘persistent’ gas which means if it gets in your eyes it can burn them, causing them to itch and to swell. It can also lead to a temporary loss of vision which usually occurs within twenty four hours of becoming infected.

Mustard Gas also causes you to cough a lot and lose your voice. It will burn an irritate exposed skin.

Oops !

You made a mistake

Chlorine Gas does damage the lungs and the early symptoms are

coughing and watering eyes.

The clue however was in the smell – Horse Radish!

Chorine Gas smells of Chloride of lime.

You’ve breathed in

Chlorine Gas.

You’ve breathed in

Mustard Gas.

I have just breathed in something that smells and tastes like lime. As you can see my eyes are watering

and my throat is starting to itch and make me cough.

Click on the correct speech bubble

Chlorine Gas does damage the lungs and the early symptoms are

coughing and watering eyes.

The clue was in the smell – Lime!

Mustard Gas would smell of garlic, onions, or horse-radish.

That’s Right

!

Mustard Gas would make your eyes burn, causing them to itch, to water and to swell.

The clue was in the smell though – Lime!

Mustard Gas would smell of garlic, onions, or horse-radish.

Oops !

You made a mistake

Air Raid Wardens and Fire Watchers

END

What can you remember?