The war was very much anticipated. As early at 1935 Brierley Hill set up a Civil Defence Committee. It was clear that the civilian population would have to take part in the defence of the nation. At the beginning of 1939 a booklet “NATIONAL SERVICE” was distributed by the government setting out the roles available and what qualifications were needed to apply.
As you explore the 1939 register you might find these descriptions contain in the booklet useful.
Lazy hint: if, like me, you’re lazy…click on the headings to go straight to the relevant search results (where available). But there are other categories you might wish to explore too.
AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
Men and women in large numbers are wanted for the various branches of the Air Raid Precautions Service. All volunteers need to undergo training in peace time, but the training is only part-time and should not ordinarily interfere with business or employment. Training is free and the necessary equipment is provided.
Most of the volunteers would serve on a part-time basis in war time and would give such service as they were able, but in some of the branches many are wanted who would be enrolled for whole-time paid service in war; the latter would give an undertaking to serve in their home district whenever called upon to do so.
COMPENSATION in respect of death or disablement in the course of duty in war time would be paid in the case of both part-time and whole-time volunteers.
Volunteers in the Air Raid Precautions Service can transfer from one Local Authority to another if they change their homes.
The following are the branches of the Air Raid Precautions Service :—
I. Air Raid Wardens
In urban areas there will be a wardens’ post of five or six wardens to every 400 to 500 inhabitants. It is the business of the wardens to have a thorough knowledge of their sector, of its inhabitants, of the location of gas mains, electric cables, telephones, shelters and trenches. They will be responsible for keeping in touch with the inhabitants of their sector and giving them advice. The wardens would usually be the first on the scene when air raid damage had occurred, and would be responsible for summoning the proper form of help after an air raid, and for doing what they could themselves until its arrival.
QUALIFICATIONS. Air Raid Wardens should preferably be people who live in the district where their duties will lie. Men who are over the age of 30 are needed, and men between 25 and 30 may also apply if not available for more active service. Some women over the age of 25 are also needed.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING. Wardens are given anti-gas, elementary first aid and elementary fire training, and in addition training in receiving and sending messages and reports to the various branches of the A.R.P. service. Advanced training will include practices and exercises. The training and practices take place out of working hours and need not ordinarily interfere with a warden’s occupation or employment.
In war time most of the wardens would give part-time service when they are able. There are also a number of vacancies for senior wardens who would, in war time, give whole-time paid service.
HOW TO JOIN. Men should apply to their Local Council. Women should apply either to their Local Council or to the local branch of Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, which assists the Councils in obtaining volunteers.
II. Rescue and Demolition Parties
Rescue and Demolition Parties would take out casualties from damaged buildings, clear up debris, shore up or demolish dangerous structures and, after air raids, keep the streets clear for the passage of fire engines, ambulances and other essential transport.
QUALIFICATIONS. Physically fit men generally between the ages of 25 and 50 are wanted, particularly labourers from the building trades and public works contracting, men used to handling tackle and jacks, and scaffolders. A number of carpenters, bricklayers and plumbers are also needed.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING. Training will be given in peace time out of ordinary working hours.
In war time many members of the Rescue and Demolition Parties would be needed for enrolment for whole-time paid service.
HOW TO JOIN. Applications should be made to the Local Council.
III. First Aid Parties
First Aid Parties would be responsible for giving first aid to casualties and for acting as stretcher-bearers. Men aged 25 to 50 years are wanted and training is necessary. A large number would be wanted for enrolment for whole-time paid service in war time.
Training is provided free by the Local Council, and men wishing If they to join the First Aid Parties should apply to the Council. If they prefer to join the St. John Ambulance Brigade or the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Corps or the British Red Cross Society, they should apply to one of these organisations which are described on pages 21-22.
Men already trained in first aid and not belonging to any of these organisations should apply to the Local Council.
IV. First Aid Posts
Persons in First Aid Posts would give treatment to minor casualties including persons contaminated by gas. The majority will be women between the ages of 20 and 50, but some men between 30 and 50 be needed. Volunteers are wanted both for part-time : time and for whole-time paid service.
Training is necessary and is provided free by the Local Council and persons wishing to train for service in First Aid Posts should apply to the Council. If they prefer to join the St. John Ambulance Brigade or the St. Andrew’s Ambulance Corps or the British Red Cross Society, they should apply to one of these organisations…
Persons already trained in first aid and not b of these organisations should apply to the Local Council. Women may also apply to the local branch of Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence.
V. Ambulance Drivers and Attendants
Drivers and attendants are wanted for the motor vans and coaches which would be adapted in war time, and for the cars and light vans used for sitting cases
QUALIFICATIONS. Mostly women but some men are also needed. The age limits for women are 18 to 50 and for men 30 to 50.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING. There practices in peace time outside ordinary working hours. In war time the work would be mostly part-time.
HOW TO JOIN. Applications should be made to the Local Council…Women may also apply to the local branch of Women’s Voluntary Service for Civil Defence.
Vl. Decontamination Squads
Decontamination Squads would remove all traces of dangerous and persistent gas from streets, vehicles and buildings.
QUALIFICATIONS. The work is arduous and physically fit men are wanted between the ages of 25 and 50. It is suitable for men used to heavy manual labour.
VII. Report Centres and Communications
The whole working of the local Air Raid Precautions Service would depend upon swift and accurate messages to the various branches and these messages would pass through Report Centres.
QUALIFICATIONS. Men over 45 and women over 18 who are educated and capable of receiving and transmitting accurately verbal, written or telephone messages are needed for the Report Centres.
For the Communications Service youths under 18 and men over
40 are wanted who can carry messages by motor-cycle, pedal-cycle
or on foot.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING. Training will be given outside ordinary working hours in message work and such other general A.R.P. work as may be necessary.
In war time most of the members of these branches would give such part-time service as they were able ; but there would be need for some whole-time paid members in responsible positions at the Report Centres.
HOW TO JOIN. Applications should be made to the Local Council. Women may also apply to the local branch of the Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence.
Men over 45 and women over 18 are needed for various duties such as telephone switchboard operators, stenographers, domestic workers, clerks, storemen, doorkeepers, etc
Most of the A.R.P. branches will need transport; and car drivers (men or women) are needed, with or without their cars.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING. There will be training and practices in peace time outside ordinary working hours. In war time the work would be part-time and the members would serve when they were able.
HOW TO JOIN. Men should apply to the Local Council and women should apply either to the Local Council or to the local branch of Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence.