Preparing Air Raid Shelters / Trenches in Harrison Park

Category

Library Item

Item no

7448

Title

Preparing air raid shelters / trenches in Harrison Park / West Bryson Road

Description

Structures of brick and wood are being constructed underground in an area of open ground behind tenement housing. Two men are working on the site and have hung their jackets on stakes.

Artist / maker

Bain, L. P.

Date

1939

Size

8.9 x 10.4 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Item is dated October 1939.
Harrison Park long trench was 125 yards long and one of many air raid shelters built for the public throughout Edinburgh.
To protect people from the bombing 30,000 public and 110,000 private air raid shelters were built. These were known as Anderson shelters and were built almost underground - six feet down and covered with earth and grass. Some people grew vegetables on the top. Because they were underground many would fill up with water making them damp, cold, smelly places to be. Children often had the job of checking the shelters and bailing the water out.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Shirts

Clothing and dress > Garments > Trousers

Clothing and dress > Garments > Waistcoats

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

People > Adults > Men

People > Military activities > Civil defence

Places > Edinburgh areas > Shandon

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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