Air Raid Warden
WWII
Bamber Bridge
“The Air Raid Warden is chosen as a responsible and reliable member of the public who will undertake to advise and help his fellow citizens in the sector to which he is allotted, in all the risks and calamities which might follow from an air attack.”
– Handbook No.8, The Duties of Air Raid Wardens 1938
Betsy Bailey, daughter of William and Rebecca (n.Hough) lived at number 3 Oxford Street, Bamber Bridge during the second world war. Betsy was the couples first child, born in Salmesbury in 1907.
The family lived in a pump-house cottage somewhere in Bamber Bridge before moving to Oxford Street. Betsy had one younger brother named Harry. When Harry left the family home he moved to a house on the next street over – Cambridge Road.
The Air Raid Warden
During the war approximately 1-in-6 Air Raid Wardens were women. Most were part time volunteers who carried out their duties alongside working full-time. In Betsy’s case, she worked in the nearby Withy Tree’s Mill as a cotton weaver.
A newspaper clipping from the Liverpool Echo in 1939 gives an insight into the role Betsy would have played during the war as an air raid warden.
“Our Government cried out for people to come and be trained in A.R.P, First Aid.. and so be able to help their country in the event of war. Realising the necessity of this, I offered my services, and eventually qualified as an air raid warden.”
Below is an example of a pocket ‘First Aid’ reference. It also includes a summary of ‘First Aid for Gas Casualties in A.R.P.’ published by the Lancashire Constabulary. Betsy would have had one just like it during her time as a volunteer.
The Role
“In time of emergency wardens will perform an important duty. They will make personal contact with residents in a given area and apart from their general work, they will be responsible for maintaining the morale of the people.”
– Local News, March 1939
Betsy would have been appointed to a street in Bamber Bridge where she would be responsible for checking each resident’s blackout for any escaping chinks of light. It was her job to shout “put that light out!” to anyone that had failed to cover their windows and doors properly. If any residents continuously broke the laws of the blackout it was Betsy’s responsibility to report them to the local police.
As well as supervising blackout’s, the role of ARP’s was to sound air raid sirens and to help people in and out of the Air Raid Shelter. Betsy would have been responsible for checking that people remembered their gas masks and that they were fitted correctly.
Bamber Bridge Light Fines
Fined 20s for permitting obscured lights from roofed buildings
December 1940
- Leonard Garrett, of 69 School Lane, Bamber Bridge
- Alice Carey, of 50 Station Road, Bamber Bridge
- Robert Lofthouse, Ardwyn, Branch Road, Samlesbury
- John Watson, of 1 Berry Street, Lostock Hall
- Robert Edmondson, 11a. Mavfield Avenue, Lostock Hall,
- Thomas Bennett, 273 Brownedge Road, Bamber Bridge
Post War
After the war Betsy moved to Blackpool Road in Preston where she lived until her death in 1964 aged fifty-six.
Harry Bailey
Harry worked in retail before eventually moving to Florida, USA. He was a faithful member and usher at Bethasda-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church located in Palm Beach. Harry was also a Freemason – Gulfstream Lodge #245. He was also a member of Kentucky Colonel’s Scottish Rites at Lake Worth.
Harry died aged seventy-seven in 1988.
Local History
A fantastic insight into the experiences of wartime in Bamber Bridge was recounted by a “Mrs Topping” through her childhood memories
Anti-Air Raid Plans
Walton-le-Dale to Organise First Aid Posts
Lancashire Evening Post, 2nd march 1937
Walton-le-Dale Urban Council, one of the first authorities in the country to consider the question of air raid precautions, last evening adopted a final scheme for the protection of the inhabitants of the district from attack by air. First-aid posts are to be established under the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Trimble) at the Conservative Club, Bamber Bridge; St. Mary’s Hall, Brownedge, Drill Hall, Bamber Bridge, Methodist Sunday School. Lostock Hall, a club in Brownedge-road; Conservative Club, Walton-le-Dale and Higher Walton Institute.
First-aid parties will be arranged at works in the area. Decontamination squads, recruited from council employees and volunteers recommended by the British Legion, will be appointed at Bamber Bridge, Walton-le-Dale, Higher Walton, Lostock Hall, and Gregson Lane. At each of these points there will be air raid wardens to give help and advice, and to assist in the maintenance of order. Works in the district will provide rescue parties to operate in neighbourhood. A lecture on air raid precautions is shortly to be arranged by Dr. Trimble.
Letters to the Editor
Lancashire Evening Post, 7th October 1938
From Alfred C.M Lillie of Bamber Bridge
“After the troublesome and dark days through which we have Just emerged, when war all all its horror loomed over us. I am sure many of your readers will Join me in an appreciation of the news services rendered to the public. You have given us plain, straightforward unvarnished accounts in a dispassionate manner and without panic in them. You have put your columns at the disposal of the authorities for air raid notices, etc. and have given us advice on many things appertaining to the safety of our homes, and have generally fostered calm and clear thinking, and for this I now say thank you.”
Wardens’ Dance
Royal Telegram in reply to Walton-le-Dale Greetings
Lancashire Evening Post – March 1940
“A telegram from Windsor Castle was read to 500 people attending the first whist drive and dance organised by Walton-le-Dale air raid wardens and held last night in St. Mary’s Hall. Bamber Bridge. The telegram, replying to loyal greetings, read: The King and Queen sincerely thank the A.R.P. wardens and friends assembled together this evening for their loyal greetings which their Majesties much appreciate.”
Walton want 400 A.R.P Volunteers
Council Chairman’s Appeal
Lancashire Evening Post – October 1938
“The Council Offices at Bamber Bridge are being kept open until 10 clock every night to facilitate recruiting. A gas-proof house is being prepared lor demonstration purposes, a decontamination centre is being arranged, and three sirens are to be established—at Bamber Bridge. Higher Walton and Lostock Hall.
Broke into House to Put Out Light
Lancashire Evening Post – January 1941
For permitting light from a roofed building during black-out hours
Richard Fowler of Lynwood, Hennel-Lane was fined 20s and ordered to pay 7s, 6d in witness fees.
“Air Raid warden Joseph Spencer said be received word by telephone that a light was showing from Hennel-lane. and could be seen at Preston Junction. He traced the light to Lynwood, and on finding it impossible to gain admission he rang the police at Bamber Bridge, who asked him to try and get a key to enter the house, and put out the light. If he failed to get a key. he was to break into the house and extinguish it. Witness said was unable to get key, and he entered the house by breaking a panel of glass the front door. The light was on the landing, and was shining through the front door and through the window bedroom where the door had been left open. After extinguishing the light, he closed the front door and nailed wood across the broken glass panel. The defendant, being questioned bv the police the next morning, said the house had been left from early morning and the light was left on accidentally.”