When were Anderson shelters distributed in WW2?
They were distributed between February 1939 and the start of the Second World War that September. The shelters were given to people in areas that were at risk of being bombed by the Germans. Over the course of World War 2, another 2.1 million Anderson shelters were built in gardens around the country.
What was the first shelter in WW2?
The first ‘Anderson’ shelter was erected in a garden in Islington, London on 25 February 1939 and, between then and the outbreak of the war in September, around 1.5 million shelters were distributed to people living in areas expected to be bombed by the Luftwaffe. During the war a further 2.1 million were erected.
What is an Anderson shelter?
Anderson Shelter Facts & Information for Kids What is an Anderson Shelter? The Anderson shelter was an air raid shelter designed to accommodate up to six people. It was designed in 1938 by William Paterson and Oscar Carl (Karl) Kerrison in response to a request from the Home Office.
Who designed the Anderson shelter in London?
It was designed in 1938 by William Paterson and Oscar Carl (Karl) Kerrison in response to a request from the Home Office. The Anderson shelter was named after Sir John Anderson, who was Lord Privy Seal with the responsibility of preparing air-raid precautions immediately prior to the outbreak of World War II.
How many Anderson shelters were there in WW2?
When was the first Anderson shelter built?
What is an Anderson Shelter?
How many people can a shelter hold?
Who was the British Prime Minister in charge of the Air Raid Shelter?
Is Anderson shelter still used?
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Where was the first Anderson shelter made?
LondonIt was named after Sir John Anderson, who was responsible for preparing air-raid precautions immediately before the start of World War 2. The first 'Anderson' shelter was built in a garden in London on the 25th February 1939. 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given to people before the start of World War 2.
Where are Anderson shelters located?
By far the most common 'private' shelters, Anderson shelters were designed to be put up at the bottom of a suburban garden and accommodate up to 6 people. Made up of sheets of corrugated iron, the shelter was designed for easy assembly by the householder.
How did they build Anderson shelters in ww2?
The shelters were buried up to 1 metre into the ground and then had soil and turf heaped onto the top to make them as secure as possible. Despite their appearance, Anderson shelters were strong thanks to the corrugated steel they were made of which could withstand compressive forces created by bombs as they exploded.
Where did people shelter in ww2?
Deeper shelters were used. Caves were used in many parts of Britain. On September 21, 1940 the London Underground started to be used as an air raid shelter. On the busiest night in 1940, 177,000 people slept on platforms.
Did air raid shelters have toilets?
Did you know: the shelters had basic amenities: electric lights, benches and bunk beds, flushing toilets, first aid post and sick bay. There were even facilities for nursing mothers. in the war the shelters were nicknamed the Chestergate Hotel because of the 'luxurious' standard of accommodation they offered.
Are there any Anderson shelters left?
A further 2.1 million were installed over the course of the war. Of those 3.6 million shelters, just a handful remain in place today.
Did Anderson shelters have toilets?
First aid facilities and chemical toilets were also supplied. The underground stations housed only 170,000 people during World War Two bombing raids, but they were regarded as one of the safest forms of shelter.
Did Anderson shelters actually work?
Around 500,000 people were killed in German bombing attacks, but, thanks to the Anderson shelters, the deaths caused by air attacks were reduced by 90%. Based on a survey carried out in 1940, it was found that only 27% of Londoners actually used Anderson shelters.
Did air raid shelters allow dogs?
Public Air Raid Shelters : no smoking : dogs, cats and other pets not allowed in shelters.
How much did an Anderson shelter cost in WW2?
£7The Anderson shelter Over two million Anderson shelters were issued to households; they cost £7, but were supplied free of charge to people earning less than £5 a week in danger areas. As the official name implied, this shelter was delivered in sections and had to be put up by the householder.
Did Germany have Anderson shelters?
Over 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given out before the start of WW2. They were distributed between February 1939 and the start of the Second World War that September. The shelters were given to people in areas that were at risk of being bombed by the Germans.
What is an Anderson shelter WW2?
Anderson shelters were named after Sir John Anderson, the lord privy seal in charge of air raid precautions in 1938, and were made from corrugated steel or iron panels that formed a semi-circular shape. They were designed to be dug into people's gardens to protect families from air raids.
Did Anderson shelters actually work?
Around 500,000 people were killed in German bombing attacks, but, thanks to the Anderson shelters, the deaths caused by air attacks were reduced by 90%. Based on a survey carried out in 1940, it was found that only 27% of Londoners actually used Anderson shelters.
Why is it called an Anderson shelter?
Anderson shelters were named after Sir John Anderson, the lord privy seal in charge of air raid precautions in 1938, and were made from corrugated steel or iron panels that formed a semi-circular shape. They were designed to be dug into people's gardens to protect families from air raids.
What was kept in an Anderson shelter?
Anderson shelters were WW2 bomb shelters primarily for back gardens. They came in a range of sizes suitable for medium to large families. Early in WW2, when London was bombed nightly by the Luftwaffe, there was a shortage of bomb shelters for people to take cover.
What did people keep in an Anderson shelter?
first aid kits and chemical toilets. Underground stations were not completely safe as bomb shelters – they were still vulnerable to a direct hit. It is estimated that over 170,000 people used the London Underground as an air raid shelter during the Blitz.
How many Anderson shelters are there?
This site contains information about the fifteen standard (or near-standard) domestic Anderson shelters that remain in their original position, and about the design and construction of such shelters.
Did Anderson shelters survive?
Other Anderson shelters have been moved, rebuilt and/or used for other purposes, or survived because they were clad in concrete. Information about these shelters is in the Archive, also below. There were several other sorts of bomb shelter, including Morrison shelters, public shelters in tube stations, and concrete shelters built ...
How many people were in Anderson shelters?
Anderson shelters were designed for 6 people. The construction of the shelter was reasonably simple. The main part of the shelter was formed from six corrugated steel panels. Flat corrugated steel panels were bolted on to form the sides and end panels (one of which contained the door).
What was the Anderson shelter named after?
The Anderson shelter was designed in 1938. It was named after Sir John Anderson, the man responsible for preparing Britain to withstand German air raids. Anderson shelters were designed for 6 people. The construction of the shelter was reasonably simple.
How tall was the shelter in the sandbox?
The shelters measured 1.4m wide, 2m long and 1.8m tall. They were quite cramped and someone taller than 6ft would not have been able to stand up in one.
Did Anderson shelters survive?
Many Anderson shelters have survived to this day. Lots were dug up and used as garden sheds. Families were provided with the materials and were expected to construct the Anderson shelters from a set of instructions.
How many Anderson shelters were there in WW2?
Over 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given out before the start of WW2. They were distributed between February 1939 and the start of the Second World War that September. The shelters were given to people in areas that were at risk of being bombed by the Germans.
When was the first Anderson shelter built?
The first Anderson shelter was built in 1939. It was built in a garden in Islington, London on February 25, 1939. Over 1.5 million Anderson shelters were given out before the start of WW2.
What is an Anderson Shelter?
The Anderson shelter was an air raid shelter designed to accommodate up to six people. It was designed in 1938 by William Paterson and Oscar Carl (Karl) Kerrison in response to a request from the Home Office.
How many people can a shelter hold?
Shelters could hold up to six people and were incredibly strong. The corrugated sheets made them extra strong against compressive force and was perfect for protecting from nearby bomb explosions.
Who was the British Prime Minister in charge of the Air Raid Shelter?
Below are some interesting facts and information on this very important air raid shelter. In 1938 the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain placed Sir John Anderson in charge of air raid precautions. Anderson worked with an engineer called William Patterson to design and ball a small, inexpensive air raid shelter that people could build in ...
Is Anderson shelter still used?
Many Anderson shelters are still in use today. A lot of people dug up the old shelters when the war ended to use them as garden sheds. A lot of Anderson shelters were decorated by their owners. This could include growing flowers or vegetables on the roof.
Overview
Air-raid shelters in modern times
Old air-raid shelters, such as the Anderson, can still be found in back gardens, in which they are commonly used as sheds, or (on a roof covered with earth) as vegetable patches.
Countries which have kept air-raid shelters intact and in ready condition include Switzerland, Spain and Finland.
Pre-WWII
Prior to World War II, in May 1924, an Air Raid Precautions Committee was set up in the United Kingdom. For years, little progress was made with shelters because of the apparently irreconcilable conflict between the need to send the public underground for shelter and the need to keep them above ground for protection against gas attacks. In February 1936 the Home Secretary appointed a technical Committee on Structural Precautions against Air Attack.
World War II
Air raid shelters were built to serve as protection against enemy air raids. Existing edifices designed for other functions, such as underground stations (tube or subway stations), tunnels, cellars in houses or basements in larger establishments and railway arches, above ground, were suitable for safeguarding people during air raids. A commonly used home shelter known a…
See also
• Air Raid Precautions in the United Kingdom
• Blast shelter
• Fallout shelter
• Underground living
External links
• Photographs from English WW2 Public Shelters
• Underground Bomb Shelter Website
• Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter Museum, Ipswich, UK
• Archives of the German military manuals