Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection
Air Raid Warden's Bell, World War II, Original
This brass hand bell has the date 1939 inscribed in small numerals on the side. It was used in World War II to signal the 'All Clear' after air raids. During the war, the German Air Force bombed heavily populated areas and important targets such as factories and stations. Air raids were the biggest danger to the British population - over 60,000 died in air raids during the war, and whole areas, including parts of London, were reduced to rubble.
The hand bell was one of the sounds of an air raid. A warbling siren, or blasts on a hooter signalled the beginning of an air raid. A continuous siren, or the ringing of the hand bell let people know that the attack was over.
People followed a drill to take shelter whenever there was an air raid. When they heard the siren, everyone streamed out of workplaces, classrooms and homes to take shelter in the nearest underground station, basement or Anderson shelter in the back garden. Then they waited, sometimes for many hours, until they heard the signal that the danger had passed.
The sirens and hooters were loud and could be heard across many streets, covering a wide area. But some shelters, like underground stations, were deep below the ground, and the signals couldn't be heard. Then, the ARP warden in the shelter received the All Clear by telephone or messenger, and rang the hand bell to let everyone know that it was safe to leave.
The hand bell was one of the sounds of an air raid. A warbling siren, or blasts on a hooter signalled the beginning of an air raid. A continuous siren, or the ringing of the hand bell let people know that the attack was over.
People followed a drill to take shelter whenever there was an air raid. When they heard the siren, everyone streamed out of workplaces, classrooms and homes to take shelter in the nearest underground station, basement or Anderson shelter in the back garden. Then they waited, sometimes for many hours, until they heard the signal that the danger had passed.
The sirens and hooters were loud and could be heard across many streets, covering a wide area. But some shelters, like underground stations, were deep below the ground, and the signals couldn't be heard. Then, the ARP warden in the shelter received the All Clear by telephone or messenger, and rang the hand bell to let everyone know that it was safe to leave.
Height:24cm
The hand bell was part of the equipment used by ARP wardens. Other equipment included a whistle, a heavy-duty gas mask, a hand pump and bucket for putting out small fires and a hook to pull down heavy ceilings. Wardens were responsible for alerting people to air raids, directing them into the shelters, helping casualties, reporting incidents/ explosions and signalling the end of the attacks. They also had a card to show that an air raid was over. The card was green on one side and said, 'All Clear.' It may have been held up or propped in a prominent place in an air raid shelter. The other side of the card said, 'Alert' and was red for danger, to show that an air raid was in progress.
As well as signalling the end of an air raid, the ringing of the hand bell could also mean the end of a poison gas attack. In the event of an attack, the ARP Wardens were expected to recognise the smell of toxic gases and then sound the gas rattles as a warning. The drill was to, 'Hold your breath, put on your mask, cover your skin and take shelter in the nearest building' (Ministry of Home Security instructions). When the gas attack was over the ARP warden would ring the hand bell to show that it was safe to take off gas masks and go outside again. Fortunately, there were no gas attacks in Britain during World War II, so the bell was not used for this.
As well as signalling the end of an air raid, the ringing of the hand bell could also mean the end of a poison gas attack. In the event of an attack, the ARP Wardens were expected to recognise the smell of toxic gases and then sound the gas rattles as a warning. The drill was to, 'Hold your breath, put on your mask, cover your skin and take shelter in the nearest building' (Ministry of Home Security instructions). When the gas attack was over the ARP warden would ring the hand bell to show that it was safe to take off gas masks and go outside again. Fortunately, there were no gas attacks in Britain during World War II, so the bell was not used for this.
Height:24cm
This brass hand bell has the date 1939 inscribed in small numerals on the side. It was used in World War II to signal the 'All Clear' after air raids. During the war, the German Air Force bombed heavily populated areas and important targets such as factories and stations. Air raids were the biggest danger to the British population - over 60,000 died in air raids during the war, and whole areas, including parts of London, were reduced to rubble.
The hand bell was one of the sounds of an air raid. A warbling siren, or blasts on a hooter signalled the beginning of an air raid. A continuous siren, or the ringing of the hand bell let people know that the attack was over.
People followed a drill to take shelter whenever there was an air raid. When they heard the siren, everyone streamed out of workplaces, classrooms and homes to take shelter in the nearest underground station, basement or Anderson shelter in the back garden. Then they waited, sometimes for many hours, until they heard the signal that the danger had passed.
The sirens and hooters were loud and could be heard across many streets, covering a wide area. But some shelters, like underground stations, were deep below the ground, and the signals couldn't be heard. Then, the ARP warden in the shelter received the All Clear by telephone or messenger, and rang the hand bell to let everyone know that it was safe to leave.
The hand bell was one of the sounds of an air raid. A warbling siren, or blasts on a hooter signalled the beginning of an air raid. A continuous siren, or the ringing of the hand bell let people know that the attack was over.
People followed a drill to take shelter whenever there was an air raid. When they heard the siren, everyone streamed out of workplaces, classrooms and homes to take shelter in the nearest underground station, basement or Anderson shelter in the back garden. Then they waited, sometimes for many hours, until they heard the signal that the danger had passed.
The sirens and hooters were loud and could be heard across many streets, covering a wide area. But some shelters, like underground stations, were deep below the ground, and the signals couldn't be heard. Then, the ARP warden in the shelter received the All Clear by telephone or messenger, and rang the hand bell to let everyone know that it was safe to leave.
- Term:
- Description:
- Alert
- The signal used to warn of danger.
- All clear
- The signal that danger is over.
- ARP warden
- The person responsible for ensuring that people took precautions against air raids e.g. checking that lights couldn't be seen, that people carried their gas masks. The wardens also took charge during air raids, ushering people into shelters, dealing with the aftermath of explosions and reporting attacks.
- Gas mask
- A mask fitted with a chemical filter to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful gases.
- Poison gas
- A substance that causes death or injury when it is inhaled, absorbed or comes into contact with the skin.
- Siren
- A device that gives out a loud wailing sound as a warning or signal.
