A.R.P. SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1940, Page 5

A.R.P. SERVICE

VALUE DEMONSTRATED AT CLACTON SIR J. ANDERS.ON’S TRIBUTE./ CALL FOR FURTHER VOLUNTEERS (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, May 2. Sir John Anderson (Minister for Civil Defence) states that the crash of an enemy bomber at Clacton, causing the loss of two English lives, injury to 156 people, and great damage to property, is a clear demonstration that any locality may have brought home to it at any moment, the value of a wellmanned and efficient civil defence service. Sir J. Anderson pays tribute to the prompt and excellent work of the Clacton A.R.P. services and expresses an earnest hope that the lesson of this event will inspire large numbers to Respond to the appeal for a quarter of a million able-bodied men and women to offer themselves as part-time volunteers in the Civil Defence forces. The efficiency of the Clacton A.R.P. service was praised by the entire Press: “The Times” says: “That the A.R.P. system works so well in practice should oe an encouragement to thousands of volunteers throughout the country who are giving their time to it. That it actually has been called upon is proof to all that their long immunity is no reason for lessening vigilance.”

The “Daily Mail” describes the Clacton affair as a big test of training which the A.R.P. passed with triumph, while the “News Chronicle” says the effort will be a stimulus and example. The “Daily Herald” says the calmness shown by citizens and the promptness and efficiency of the A.R.P. workers prove that sudden and unexpected disaster from the air causes no sign of panic among the people of these parts.