The development of Civil Defence in the 1920s and 1930s
During the First World War (1914 to 1918), mainland Great Britain experienced aerial bombardment for the first time. The total weight of bombs dropped, whether from Zeppelin airships or aircraft, amounted to a few hundred tons, primarily dropped on London and the eastern seaboard. During this period, no organization had been created to oversee these occurrences, and the injured were attended to at local medical facilities.
In the early 1920s, the Government initiated an inquiry into methods for safeguarding the civilian populace against enemy aerial attacks. It became clear that a structured response was essential to manage the anticipated casualties and destruction.
In 1924, a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence evaluated the need for air raid protection. This initiative was subsequently strengthened in 1929 with the establishment of a second Ministerial Sub-Committee. Both committees functioned under a veil of secrecy. On April 1, 1935, these two sub-committees were merged to create the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) Department within the Home Office. This department was tasked with publicly educating the population regarding air raid precautions.
Staffed by a small number of civil servants, the new department was responsible for devising an Air Raid Precautions Scheme across the entire country. Leading this initiative was Wing-Commander Eric J. Hodsoll, who would later become the Inspector-General of the Ministry of Home Security.
During the late 1930s, Hodsoll and his deputies travelled widely, updating local authorities about A.R.P. issues. Little enthusiasm was shown by the councils they visited, primarily driven by concerns over the expected costs associated with implementing air raid precautions.
The first Home Office Circular concerning A.R.P. matters was released on the 9th July, 1935 and titled "Air Raid Precautions" (Circular No. 700,216/4). The circular suggested Local Authorities begin preliminary local planning and organisation for passive civilian defence against potential air attacks.
The circular was deemed precautionary by many local authorities (it included the caveat that its issuance "in no way implies a risk of war in the near future") even though it made clear that advancements in aerial warfare made the possibility of large-scale attacks on the country possible.
The circular gave an overview of A.R.P. services required by local authorities. The one omission was that of the Wardens’ Service, which was then under consideration by the A.R.P. Department. A series of handbooks for each service was also to be released.
Finally, the circular suggested each local authority set up an A.R.P. committee to discuss and create plans for Air Raid Precautions.
The Home Office Department spent much of 1936 putting ideas into practice. In April, the first anti-gas school was opened at Falfield, Glos. and a respirator factory was started at Blackburn in the autumn.
With the passing of the A.R.P. Act in 1937, local authorities were now obliged to set up an Air Raid Precautions organisation. To cover some of the costs of the implementation of county council and borough A.R.P. plans, the Government issued grants of between 60% to 75% of the cost of the schemes. Certain anti-gas and other equipment would be supplied free.
Following the Munich crisis in September 1938 the development of A.R.P. planning developed quickly. In July 1939, the Civil Defence Act was passed and A.R.P. schemes were now a statutory responsibility of all local authorities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In the early 1920s, the Government initiated an inquiry into methods for safeguarding the civilian populace against enemy aerial attacks. It became clear that a structured response was essential to manage the anticipated casualties and destruction.
In 1924, a Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence evaluated the need for air raid protection. This initiative was subsequently strengthened in 1929 with the establishment of a second Ministerial Sub-Committee. Both committees functioned under a veil of secrecy. On April 1, 1935, these two sub-committees were merged to create the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) Department within the Home Office. This department was tasked with publicly educating the population regarding air raid precautions.
Staffed by a small number of civil servants, the new department was responsible for devising an Air Raid Precautions Scheme across the entire country. Leading this initiative was Wing-Commander Eric J. Hodsoll, who would later become the Inspector-General of the Ministry of Home Security.
During the late 1930s, Hodsoll and his deputies travelled widely, updating local authorities about A.R.P. issues. Little enthusiasm was shown by the councils they visited, primarily driven by concerns over the expected costs associated with implementing air raid precautions.
The first Home Office Circular concerning A.R.P. matters was released on the 9th July, 1935 and titled "Air Raid Precautions" (Circular No. 700,216/4). The circular suggested Local Authorities begin preliminary local planning and organisation for passive civilian defence against potential air attacks.
The circular was deemed precautionary by many local authorities (it included the caveat that its issuance "in no way implies a risk of war in the near future") even though it made clear that advancements in aerial warfare made the possibility of large-scale attacks on the country possible.
The circular gave an overview of A.R.P. services required by local authorities. The one omission was that of the Wardens’ Service, which was then under consideration by the A.R.P. Department. A series of handbooks for each service was also to be released.
Finally, the circular suggested each local authority set up an A.R.P. committee to discuss and create plans for Air Raid Precautions.
The Home Office Department spent much of 1936 putting ideas into practice. In April, the first anti-gas school was opened at Falfield, Glos. and a respirator factory was started at Blackburn in the autumn.
With the passing of the A.R.P. Act in 1937, local authorities were now obliged to set up an Air Raid Precautions organisation. To cover some of the costs of the implementation of county council and borough A.R.P. plans, the Government issued grants of between 60% to 75% of the cost of the schemes. Certain anti-gas and other equipment would be supplied free.
Following the Munich crisis in September 1938 the development of A.R.P. planning developed quickly. In July 1939, the Civil Defence Act was passed and A.R.P. schemes were now a statutory responsibility of all local authorities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
