100th anniversary of the first meeting about Air Raid Precautions in Britain.

 100th anniversary of the first meeting about

Air Raid Precautions in Britain.

Last weekend, we went to the commemoration for the 100^th anniversary of the first Air Raid Precautions committee of the Imperial Defence which sat on 25^th May 1924, under the Chairmanship of the Lord Privy Seal, Sir John Anderson. That meeting led to the formation of the first civil defence organisation in Britain. After this meeting, Wing Commander Sir John Hodsoll, C.B, worked on the development Air Raid Precautions and is known as the ‘Father of Civil Defence’ of Civil Defence in Britain.

 

(Picture from JCAC FB Page)

Held at the Chrysalis Theatre in Milton Keynes, this event was organised by the Joint Civil Aid Corps and the Civil Defence Association (CDA).  It was also announced that a “Council of Civil Defence” has been created and several organisations have already agreed to join.

 

(Picture from JCAC FB Page)

Music for the commemoration service was provided by the Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles.

 

We were asked to provide a small display of CD equipment & memorabilia as a part of the CDAs mission to support and promote Civil Defence’s Past, Present and Future.

999 Fun Day, Sheffield, 12th May 2024

999 Fun Day, Sheffield,  12th May 2024

 

Firstly, on 12^th May, we, once again, joined our friends at the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield for their annual “999 Fun Day.”  As usual it was held in The Moors in the city centre.  It was a warm, sunny day to be in nice thick serge uniforms, though I took my jacket off later.   Not sure of the visitor figures but it was by far the busiest one we have been at.

 

 

 

Working inside the Headquarters vehicle.

 

 This year, we were able to make use of the Civil Defence Headquarters vehicle which belongs to the museum. This vehicle was first used by the Civil Defence Corps and, when the Corps was disbanded in 1968, it was used as a mobile operations control vehicle by the Coventry & Warwickshire ambulance service until the late 1970s and kept in reserve by them well into the 1990s.

 A crucial operational meeting in progress.

 

This very nice Auxilary Fire Service Landrover & pump was next to us.

An update on CDC events in 2022 & 2023.

 An update on our CDC reenactment events in 2022 & 2023.

I have realised that it is nearly two years since I last made a post on this blog.  Time flies! I haven’t been doing a great deal of Civil Defence Corps re-enactment during the year, just three events plus one the year before.

 

Our setup, conveniently under a Victor nuclear bomber 

(albiet one that was converted to a tanker later in its career).

 

 

Just to keep me on my toes, the 4 minute warning was just next to me.

 Way back in October 2022, I was at the RAF Museum Cosford, to take part in the National Cold War Exhibition event for the 60^th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The two day event brought together several re-enactors with displays covering the Civil Defence Corps, Royal Observer Corps and RAF aircrews from the 1960s.

There was also a simulation of the Crisis in which the public could make the decisions that could de-escalate the situation or lead to World War Three. Unfortunately, out of 40+ sessions during the weekend, only two avoided Armageddon!

 

On 21^st May 2023, we, once again, had the pleasure of attending the National Emergency Services Museum’s 999 Family Fun Day at The Moors shopping centre in Sheffield. It was well attended as usual and rather hot so my nice black serge blouse got discarded quickly.

A minimalist CDC display as the site is small. 

Down in the Hole. 

On  23rd September 2023, there was an open day at the Buckminster Royal Observer Corps post. I only took a few things along and we had around 25 visitors which was more than we expected for a liitle event.

 

Our spot in the hanger at Newhaven Fort.

I went down to Newhaven Fort on 15th October 2023 to meet up with some members of "Civil Defence Corps - South East. At some point, we are hoping to larger joint events - looking forwards to that! The fort is closed for renovation in 2024 but has already asked both groups back to do something when it re-opens.