Home Front - Civil Defence in Aberdeenshire

A return to war in Europe had been anticipated since mid 1935. Whilst there is evidence of some preparations being made by local authorities at that time, most of the actions taken against enemy attack were made in 1939 and beyond. The following extracts from County Council Minutes show the sort of things that were done to protect the people and buildings in the North East.

War in Europe had been anticipated several years before its outbreak in September 1939. As far back as 1935 the Government had been issuing memos to local authorities on the subject of preparing for war, including the appointment of an Air Raid Precaution Controller. In time such memos got more specific about preparations on such topics as co-ordination of services needed during times of attack.

This extract from the Aberdeen County Council Minutes for 19 May 1939 show the Council establishing Control Centres at Divisional Police Headquarters across the County and within the County Police Headquarters situated at Aberdeen.

The establishment of an Air Raid Siren site was often carried out with government grants.

Specific preparations for attack in the Counties included the establishment of proposed Air Raid siren sites across the County. 

This extract from the Aberdeen County Minutes of 19 May 1939 shows that various sites have been assessed for suitability and passed. These included some private properties, such as the Gordon Arms Hotel in Huntly. 

This extract from the Kincardine County Council Minutes of 24 September 1940 shows that an area had to be above a certain population in order to qualify for funding, and that Laurencekirk would not be eligible due to its size at the time. 

Aside from Air Raid Siren sites, there was also a need to establish sites for shelters.

This extract from the Kincardine County Council minutes of 1 May 1940 shows a proposed basement site in Stonehaven being rejected in favour of a new shelter being built in the Market Square there.

Fire Services were an extremely important part of the plan to protect the Counties and the Councils drew up schemes for the provision of this service during the War.

This extract from Aberdeen County Council’s minutes of 10 April 1940 shows how the Fire Service was to be divided up and the equipment that was to be maintained at individual stations.

First Aid was a vital part of the battle to save lives in the event of an attack, and Aberdeen County Council drew up a scheme for establishing and running First Aid posts throughout the region, as this minute from 19 May 1939 shows.

The Military also played its part in defending the towns and coasts, most noticeably with the large anti-aircraft gun placements that were built in places like Peterhead.

This minute of 12 July 1940 shows Aberdeen County Education Committee deciding not to seek compensation from the Military for establishing such a post at a school playing field in Peterhead unless damage occurs to the area as a result of its use there. 

The County of Banff contained part of the Moray coast, and was under threat of being used as a landing site for an enemy invasion.

This minute from the Banff County Council minutes of 10 July 1940 shows that work had already been undertaken for immobilising such areas with obstacles, but that there was difficulty in retaining and recruiting volunteers.

[Originally part of our Home Front online exhibition, 2010]