Evacuees and ARP Training exercises

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Evacuees and ARP Training exercises

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Herne Bay
1939-09-01
Silent
19m

Members of Herne Bay's First Aid Posts gear up for gas-attack casualties in this remarkable film, which also features a visit to the deep tunnel shelters in the cliffs of Ramsgate.

Beginning with evacuees arriving in Herne Bay, this film shows men and women volunteers from the town's First Aid Post and Mobile Units conduct various emergency exercises including the treatment of gas-attack casualties while wearing protective rubber suits, rescuing bomb victims and practising decontamination. There is also a group inspection of Ramsgate's unique air-raid shelter system followed by a large church parade featuring all the volunteer services.

The film-maker, John Clague, was an architect who set up Clague's Architects in Canterbury in the mid-1930s. This is still a thriving company run by his son Andrew.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.