There was a Second World War Civil Defence warden’s post (Post ‘E/6/7’) on Southern Railway Company land at Station Road West - probably near the West station. This was an ‘advanced’ post, and as such was manned permanently (other posts were only staffed on ‘Action Warning’). It was housed in an ‘underground shelter’ (this was probably purpose-built; Canterbury may have been slightly unusual in having such shelters at the start of the war). It was probably made waterproof and supplied with an electric fire late in 1939. Around April 1943, as part of a rearrangement of Canterbury’s civil-defence wardens posts, this post was renumbered Post ‘E/2.’

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). SKE14824.

Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee, 01/01/39, Canterbury City Council Emergency Committee Minute Books 1 to 6 (Unpublished document). Ske14824.

Simon Williamson, 01/01/39, Chief Air-Raid Warden’s notebook (Unpublished document). SKE14825.

Simon Williamson, 01/01/39, Chief Air-Raid Warden’s notebook (Unpublished document). Ske14825.