Air Raid Wardens Nottingham

[julieymall]

Hi does anyone know if a register was kept of air raid wardens in Nottingham during WW2 or any information about what their duties were and where they were deployed?  I know both my deceased grandparents were ARPs but little else

Thanks

Julie

[copperbeech5]

Hi Julie,

I don't know but to guess I would suggest contact County hall, or Nottingham Archive. 

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[R_Hood]

My father was an air raid warden before he was called up.  I recall that a small brick office was built locally with a telephone that presumably connected to the emergency services.  I went in with him a few times and recall the silhouettes of German aircraft on the walls which I came to recognize.  Wardens were issued with a stirrup pump (a small hand operated pump) which he used once as some incendiaries were dropped around us.  Wardens were responsible to ensure that everyone had effective blackout to their windows and to sound an alarm if there was a gas attack (with a hand bell ?).  They also distributed gas masks at the beginning of the war.  They were always out and about after the air raid siren went to assist at the site of any bombings.  I think they were also given some training in first aid.

[julieymall]

Thank you, that was such an interesting reply.  I remember my grandma having her air raid warden paperwork, gas mask and a bell.  She died when I was 11 and I know that all this 'history' was assigned to the skip, as it wasn't thought important.  Such a shame.