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With the ending of the World War on 15 August 1945
on the defeat of Japan, the anxiety of Civil Defence duties
no longer troubled us. However, until the defeat of Germany
on 8 May 1945 the Civil Defence forces remained manned and
were actually in operation dealing with flying bomb and long
range rocket raids until 27 March 1945. On that day there
fell in Stepney the second last enemy projectile to fall in
this country. It was a tragic ending to the long period of
bombing suffered by this Borough from August 1940 to March 1945.
The rocket fell at 7.20 a.m. on Tuesday 27th March
1945 on a large block of Borough Council Flats at Hughes
Mansions, Vallance Road, and killed 130 persons.
I here record with the deepest regret that in that
last incident we lost three of our Aldermen: Aldermen J and
Mrs. E. Pritchard and A. Vollasky.
The Casualty Services were finally disbanded on the
1st July 1945 and many of the Sanitary Inspectors, clerical
staff and employees were released from their part time Civil
Defence Duties.
I should like to record my sincere thanks to them
and all the other officers who helped me so willingly and so
courageously during the very trying and dangerous years of the
war.
To the Chairman and Members of the various Committees
associated with my work and to the Civil Defence Controller,
Mr. A. R. Beaumont, I tender my thanks for their support and
guidance, not only during this year, but throughout the war
years.
I have the honour to. be, Your Worship, Ladies and
Gentelmen,
Your obedient servant,
F. R. O'SHIEL
Medical Officer of Health
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