civil defence

Home Guard, King's Inspection

H.M. King George VI inspects the London Defence Volunteers 26 July 1940.

Photo: From the collections of Newham Heritage & Archives

Plaistow Police Station c1940s

Sub-Divisional Inspector Galton surrounded by sandbags outside Plaistow Police Station 1939. The Sandbags helped prevent bomb blasts.
Photo: Newham Heritage & Archives

Gillmans Daredevils (ARP)

‘Gillman's Daredevils' - West Ham Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Messengers c.1939

The wreck of a German aircraft 19 November 1940 Heinkel He III 3539 of the 1st Steiffel of KG26 just before midnight. Briefed to attack Coventry, it lost a complete wing which fell in Alfreds (now Newham) Way, Barking before plunging into wasteground on the edge of Beckton Sewerage Treatment Works.

Fox Photograph

Stirrup Pump Display

A competition showing how stirrup pumps were used at the Civil Defence Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Sports Day 1943. People kept stirrup pumps handy in order to put out fire bombs.

Photo: Newham Heritage & Archives

Auxilary Fire Service, Abbey Road

Firewomen clearing Abbey Road Dormitory 1944.
Photo: Newham Heritage & Archives

ARP Sports Day 1943

'Hitler and Mussolini' side show at the Civil Defence Air Raid Precautions Sports Day. The Italian leader Mussolini (on the right) was overthrown in July 1943. The German leader Hitler killed himself on 30 April 1945.