Page 160 from ARP logbook

Category

Library Item

Item no

21004

Title

Page 160 from Charles Boog Watson's ARP logbook

Description

Handwritten notes made by Charles Boog Watson, Air Raid Warden in his logbook. The notes include an address for people to write for special gas masks and the details of local suppliers of tin hats. There is also a note on the identity of other wardens in the area and a note of an address that is 'the worst in the whole district' for breaking the blackout.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1942

Type

Document

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This item was digitised as part of the Whose Town? project, an educational resource for schools. Unique archival material was gathered together to create a snapshot of a person's life at a particular point in Edinburgh's history.

Air Raid Warden, Charles Boog Watson donated his detailed log books and correspondence to Edinburgh City Libraries giving us a unique snapshot of ARP duties and an insight into Edinburgh at war.

This is the back page of the A.R.P. Logbook kept by Charles Boog Watson, who was air raid warden in Murrayfield during the Second World War. The logbook records Boog Watson's daily rounds as he patrolled the neighbourhood checking, and noting any chinks of light that broke the blackout.

This image has been altered to protect the identities of named individuals.

Boog Watson's entry for Monday 9 March 1942 earlier in the logbook tells us that he was in bed that day with a bad cold, and a lady called on him as part of a round to test the gas masks of everyone in the area.
36 Garscube Terrace was used as a headquarters by R.A.F. Chaplains during this period. It is an address Boog Watson reports repeated problems with during the blackout.

This is an excerpt from the document:
Special Gas Masks

Any one who, owing to an operation etc, cannot wear a standard type of gas mask, should apply to the Chief Constable. A.R.P. Headquarters, Cranston Street, giving particulars of hindrance.

Tin hats
Unnofficial, can be supplied by Municipal Supplies, Ltd., 20 Salisbury Road. 9.

Also Kitchencraft Coy. 1 Forth Street. 1 (Steel.)
Also. Patrick Thomson Ltd. North Bridge.

Note. 9 March 1942
Miss H. is Chief Warden of all Garscube Terrace, except Mr J No. 58 of Succoth Place and Henderland Road.
Mr W, 13 Murrayfield Avenue, has Succoth Avenue and Gardens and Ravelston Dykes to Craigleith Crescent.

36 Garscube Terrace. (28/12/42) The worst in the whole district. Black-out arrangements said to be efficient, but not so in use. Tonight top small front window. Top back window. Windows below that, and light under door.

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Events > Disturbances > Conflicts

Places > Edinburgh areas > Murrayfield