On the eve of the Second World War one of three Auxiliary Fire Service Fire Stations in Canterbury was established at Barrett’s Garage at corner of St Peter’s Street and Pound Lane, beside the West Gate – highly convenient to the high street and town centre. In mid September 1939 it was ordered that an office be constructed, ‘primarily out of timber’, and that a telephone extension be made to the adjoining dug-out. A petrol pump and tank at the garage were reserved for Auxiliary Fire Service use. Early on (perhaps early in 1940?) some or all of the fire fighting equipment seems to have been moved further round into Pound Lane (toward the civil-defence Depot there?) – requiring further telephone extensions. A telephonist’s room and ‘personnel recreation room’, added later in the year may well, however, still have been in the garage. Air-raid shelter accommodation had been provided by mid October 1940. It is not yet clear whether any part of the Auxiliary Fire Service was still accommodated at the garage and showrooms when these were destroyed by enemy action on 22 January 1942.
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : Unknown
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14736.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14736.