In 1939, at the start of the second world war, Basingstoke was a town of about 20,000 people. To prepare, all councils had to make preparations for war and bombardment. They had to set up Air Raid Precautions committees; appoint air raid wardens; build bomb shelters; and provide and store equipment for bombing or gas attack. They built barriers and obstacles to hinder invasions.

But how many of these constructions survive in the town today? Tank blocks can still be seen in the old cemetery at South View, the remains of a tank ‘island’ around the railway station. Loop-holes are visible in the bridge parapets at Bunnian Place and Chapel Hill, again protecting the railway. Shelters survive at Brinkletts, used post-war by Civil Defence.

A few private Anderson air-raid shelters survive in gardens (there is an example in Milestones), but when peace was declared much was swept away.

But there is an intriguing survivor at Whiteditch – a building which the Basingstoke Heritage Society has spent years researching and finally has the proof of when and why it was built.

Basingstoke Gazette: Whiteditch depot with original windowWhiteditch depot with original window

The building has a water tower, which made it very adaptable after the war as a team changing room. The presence of this water supply led to a previous identification of it for gas decontamination.

This proved to be wrong. We researched the minutes of the council’s ARP committee meetings and discovered that it was built in late 1943, in what was essentially a ‘tidying-up’ operation to amalgamate Rescue and First Aid Party Equipment. Until then it was housed in various builders’ yards or at the council’s offices. Two Depots were planned for Basingstoke – Whiteditch Field and War Memorial Park annexe – outside built-up target areas.

The Society paid a professional researcher to look at records in the Public Records at Kew. Records showed that a Review of Unit Establishments in the Rescue Service was carried out as early as 1942.

Basingstoke Gazette: A Clapham resident watering the vegetables she has planted on the roof of her Anderson shelter built in the garden. Circa 1943.A Clapham resident watering the vegetables she has planted on the roof of her Anderson shelter built in the garden. Circa 1943.

In some towns, rescue equipment was widely spread, and what’s more there was a shortage of usable vehicles – some villages relying on handcarts. In August 1943, the building of the two Depots was ordered; The Amalgamation of the Rescue and First Aid Parties came into operation at 8am on October 1, 1943 – they were to be built fast, with a 24-hour shift including a 1-shilling ( 0.5p) meal voucher for the British Restaurant in Wote Street. A shortage of materials slowed the work and it could only be completed by March 1945 – the total cost of the project was £1,053 and 5s 7d.