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Wolverhampton
and World War II The war clouds had been gathering in the late 1930s and, as the crisis in Europe deepened, Britain began preparing for the worst. As early as 1937 Wolverhampton was making preparations against the possibility of air raids. The council established an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Committee in 1937. The work of the committee included dividing the borough into 15 districts and appointing 258 street wardens.
Chief Constable's Report of 4th September 1937 outlining preparations for air raids (CMB-WOL-C-ARPC/1) Maps were produced for Air Raid Precaution Wardens and others dealing with the civilian side of the emergency.
Extract from Hinde's Map of Wolverhampton c.1940 showing Air Raid Precaution Areas and Warden's Posts (MAP/405b) Across the town schools also prepared for war. Public buildings such as schools had to build shelters big enough to protect the staff and children. Click here to see colour film of Elston Hall School, Stafford Road, building its shelters: Click on the buttons below to access video footage of the interview.
Elston Hall School (VT6)
Tettenhall protects its buildings from possible bomb damage, c.1939 (F3/TET/E/1)
ARP Map Key 1939 from Tettenhall Blitz Intelligence Centre showing essential military roads, rest areas, types of bombs, etc (D-TET) Tettenhall Urban District Council, as with other local councils, produced a booklet telling people what to do after an air raid:
ARP leaflet, 1941 (D-TET) The leaflet offered information about where to seek help following an air raid. It covered such subjects as Rest Centres, meals, casualties, lost property, orphans, house repairs and many others. The population was issued with identity cards, which had to be carried at all times. Police officers could demand to see it at any time.
National Registration Identity Card (DX-126/32)
© Copyright. Wolverhampton City Council, 2002
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