View report page

DECONTAMINATION OF FOOD.—In conjunction with the Boroughs of Twickenham, and
Brentford and Chiswick and the Urban District of Feltham, a joint scheme for the decontamination of
food was prepared. All gas contaminated food was to be taken to the Rugby Ground, Twickenham,
where the necessary equipment was installed to enable the food to be decontaminated, salvaged or
destroyed according to the degree of contamination. Brentford Docks presented a special problem and
after consultation with the Ministry of Food responsibility for dealing with gas contaminated food there
was accepted by the Boroughs of Heston and Isleworth and Brentford and Chiswick. In consultation with
the companies concerned arrangements were made to deal with food contaminated by gas during transit
on the canals and railways in the Borough.
EMERGENCY MORTUARIES.—The small bath at Hounslow Public Baths and the disused
Public Baths in South Street, Isleworth, were adapted and equipped for use as emergency mortuaries
capable of dealing with gas contaminated bodies. The Isleworth emergency mortuary was not used but
138 bodies were dealt with at the Hounslow mortuary. In addition the necessary enquiries were made and
records completed in regard to 99 deaths from war injuries in local hospitals.
REST CENTRES.—Arrangements were made to provide medical attention as required and for a
nurse to visit the rest centres daily while they were in use.
PUBLIC SHELTERS.—A scheme was put in operation whereby the services of a doctor were
available in emergency and arrangements were made to deal with cases of infectious disease and verminous
infestation.
WATER SUPPLIES.—In conjunction with the Metropolitan Water Board a survey of local wells
was carried out and a scheme prepared for emergency water supplies, including chlorination where
necessary.
EVACUATION.—When in 1944 the evacuation scheme was extended to include the Borough the
evacuation of expectant mothers for confinement was dealt with by the Health Department. The general
evacuation was handled by the Education Department but school children were inspected prior to
evacuation and particulars of any defects or other conditions in the children transmitted to the reception
Authority.

DEPOTS AND EQUIPMENT.—Certain works of adaptation were necessary at all depots and
posts either for operational needs or the safety and comfort of members of the service. Some time elapsed
before this work was completed and during the first winter there was little in the nature of comfort and
amenities at some of the depots. Gradually conditions improved till the provision of reasonable sleeping,
washing, cooking and recreational facilities was general.
A great volume of equipment had to be provided to meet the needs of the various services. Apart
from the difficulty of finding suitable storage accommodation there had to be devised methods of recording
supplies, distribution and consumption. Detailed personnel records had to be kept also in regard to
wages, sickness, leave, equipment, training, etc. Records had to be kept of vehicle maintenance, petrol
consumption, etc.
TRAINING.—The training of the men and women for the many and varied tasks which they might
encounter required much time, thought and effort. In due course, theory, as far as high explosive and
incendiary bombs were concerned, was supplemented by practical experience and gained much thereby
Training in the treatment of blister gas casualties and in the decontamination of persons, clothing, food,
etc., was far from easy and the prospect of having to deal with such was a constant source of anxiety
Imagination may have over-painted the picture but fortunately training was not put to the test.
PERSONNEL.—The manning of the services throughout the 24 hours by part-time volunteers,
who continued at their usual employment, was impossible and recruitment on a whole-time basis had to be
adopted. Such recruitment was restricted to persons not in reserved occupations and later the restriction
was extended to those liable for national service. The "war establishment" of the various sections was
varied from time to time but seldom were the numbers approved bv the Regional Commissioners availableUntil
members of the civil defence service were "frozen" changes in personnel were frequent.
24