There was a Second World War Civil Defence warden’s post (Post ‘C/2’) at Babs Hill, Canterbury. This may have been at the top of St George’s Field, near the road. It was an ‘advanced post’ (operated continuously and not just on Action Warning) and was in an ‘underground shelter’ (this was probably purpose-built; Canterbury may have been slightly unusual in having such shelters for warden’s posts at the start of the war). It was supplied with electricity in October 1939 and provided with an electric fire. Around this time wiring was installed so that an air-raid siren which had recently been fixed atop St Martin’s Windmill could be operated directly without leaving the post. In May 1942 this siren was removed to a pole adjoining the warden’s post. By this time posts must have merged, and this post had been renumbered ‘C/2/3’. Eric Wilkinson later recalled ‘our post was at the top of St. Martin’s Hill, in Bab’s Hill, underground. There was a pole there with a siren on it and we were responsible for that siren.’ In April 1943 the number of warden’s posts was reduced and this post was renumbered ‘C/1.’
Owner : Unknown
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Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14774.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14774.

Eric Wilkinson, 01/01/95, "And We All Got Under the Table": Under Fire 1939-45 A VE Day Commemmoration (Bibliographic reference). SKE14773.

Eric Wilkinson, 01/01/95, "And We All Got Under the Table": Under Fire 1939-45 A VE Day Commemmoration (Bibliographic reference). Ske14773.