Civil Defence !

[castle261]

I personally watched the V 1 cross near our post, when the engine cut out, it dived as I watched.
finally crashed into Frindsbury Strood, then blowing up.

[castle261]

You are right, I recognise the girls `bike shed` with a corrugated tin roof. We were a separate unit.
Made a terrible din, when the shrapnel, hit the roof.


We, at the post, recorded the first flying bomb, the V.1. flew across Chatham, flying low, with its
engine on fire. It missed all balloon barrages, at Cobham --- landed at Greenhithe.


Two of us messengers, patrolled the street during an air raid. One messenger always at post.
I was the younger messenger.

[Cosmo Smallpiece]

I knew a chap who was an ARP runner in Liverpool. I was surprised on hearing his tale that youngsters were put in such danger in the midst of raids. Thanks for your brave service.

[Smiffy]

Hi castle261,

This may look familiar to you - seems like the AFS shared the same facilities:
 

[castle261]

I served in the Civil Defence from 1941 to 1945 as a messenger (14 to 18)  at the top of
Ordnance Street. The Wardens Post was in the girls school playground. we did shifts of
several hours most nights, and one 12 hr night shift, and called out, every air raid.
We were trained at the hall at the top of Manor Road, then later we collected our uniforms
then allotted our post, all five of us --- Messengers --- went to Ordnance Street !


When a messenger became 18 --- he became a warden.