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The Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr. J. W. Crawford, as
called up for service in the R.A.M.C. on 22nd April and
Dr. Susan M. Tracy commenced duty on 1st November in a temporary
capacity as Assistant Medical Officer of Health during the
absence of Dr.Crawford.
The first flying bomb, which was also the first in London,
fell in the borough on 13th Juno, and the first long-range
rocket on 30th October. Altogether 36 flying bombs dropped on
the borough and 8 rockets.
The control of the casualty services for civil defence
continued to occupy much of my time, and those sanitary inspector
Clerical and other staff who helped to man the control centre
wore actively engaged throughout the year. The Staff Officer for
the Casualty Services and the officers in charge of the Light
Rescue Services and First Aid Posts had onerous duties to perform
I should like also to mention with gratitude those general
practitioners in the borough who attended the wounded in the
streets and the sick persons in the public shelters.
The burden of food salvage fell on the food inspectors
following enemy raids and largo Quantities of foodstuffs were
recovered for human consumption.
Those officers of this department and of the London Hospital
who supervised and assisted at the emergency war mortuaries had
a heavy year.
The Air ended before the publication of this report and we
look for ard to years of peace in which to reconstruct the
borough ,nd improve its social services. It is not possible for
me to mention all those who helped me throughout these difficult
years, but I am most grateful to them and particularly to those
members of the staff who did more than their share for the
casualty and shelter services regardless of reward.
To the Chairmen and members of the Committees associated
with my ork and to the Civil Defence Controller, Mr.A.R.Beatfmont
I tender my thanks for support and guidance, and to all the staff
of the Department for their loyal co-operation, not only during
this year but throughout the war period.
I have the honour to bo, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
F. R. O'SHIEL.
Medical Officer of Health.
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