Unique IDAG-0272DescriptionThe National Emergency Service (NES) coordinated the protection of civilians against aerial attack on the home front during World War II. The civil defence hierarchy was established around local government areas, so each municipality or shire became an ‘Area’ controlled by a Chief Warden, assisted by volunteer staff. The NES worked closely with first aid services, local fire brigades and the military; trained wardens; and maintained air raid sirens and air raid and trench shelters. Many of the four- and six-foot deep “zig zag” anti-aircraft trenches that were dug into parks and other open spaces, including school playgrounds, were constructed by local NES volunteers.
Arm bands, tin hats and gas masks were issued to all local wardens. These arms bands and authority cards identified local wardens in Erskineville. Erskineville Council rapidly responded to the call for civil defence. The first training of Erskineville wardens was on 11 September 1939, just over a week after war was declared on Germany.
Wardens were expected to be on call day and night. They monitored the blackouts, oversaw practice evacuation drills to air raid shelters, and staffed the NES Area Control Centre, originally Erskineville Town Hall but later a purpose-built structure in Albert Street. The Area Control Centre, which was staffed 24/7, was responsible for receiving damage reports from wardens and coordinating with the police, fire brigade, and gas and electricity companies.
Description
Start date qualifieryear onlyStart dateBetween 1st January 1941 and 31st December 1941End date qualifieryear onlyEnd dateBetween 31st January 1945 and 31st December 1945
