Civil Defence of Luton

The film re-enacts the development of civil defence in the Borough of Luton during World War II.

Opening with a group shot of what is probably the Luton Borough Emergency Committee, much of the film’s content is to be found in the detailed screen intertitle below. However, the following Works PAD Services taking part are as follows: Adamant Engineering Co Ltd., The Davis Gas Stove Company Ltd., Electrolux Ltd.(plus the Electrolux Ambulance), Hayward Tyler, George Kent Ltd., D.Napier & Sons, Percival Aircraft Co. Ltd., SKF Ltd., Vauxhall Motors Ltd. The company names can often be seen displayed on the service personnel's uniforms.

Featured Buildings

Adamant Engineering Co Ltd.; The Davis Gas Stove Company Ltd.; Electrolux Ltd.( plus the Electrolux Ambulance); Hayward Tyler; George Kent Ltd., D.Napier & Sons; Percival Aircraft Co. Ltd.; SKF Ltd.; Vauxhall Motors Ltd.

Keywords

Civil defence; Emergency services; World War II

Intertitles

During the 1939/1941 period great efforts were made to recruit volunteers for the A.R.P. Services. Exercises and demonstrations were given; public meetings were held in various parts of the town and house to house canvas was made by wardens, but generally the reaction of the public was slow. In spite of lack of equipment and uniform, however, a service was built up. The wardens in this film can be taken as a typical example of those willing A.R.P personnel who formed the back bone of Civil Defence. They were trained in anti-gas measures, elementary fire precautions and the special duties peculiar to their service. In addition they participated in collective training and exercises to secure co-ordinated action of services at incidents. In view of the limited number of photographs available, this part of the film has been restricted. In addition to the many services forming part of Civil Defence, Works P.A.D. Services assisted the local authority's personnel when required.