The Volunteer Firewatchers of the Blitz in World War Two.

The Volunteer Firewatchers of the Blitz in World War Two.

Today I want to return to the British Home Front and tell you about a group of volunteers who played a vital role during the Blitz.

They were known as firewatchers, and although they rarely receive the same attention as the soldiers or the aircrew, their work helped to save countless buildings and lives during the Blitz.

When Germany began its bombing campaign against Britain in 1940, many people were worried about the destruction that would be caused. Large numbers of incendiary bombs were also being dropped on towns and cities. These small bombs were designed to start fires rather than cause explosions. A single incendiary bomb could set fire to an entire building and the flames could spread through the streets affecting homes, shops and factories.

As the bombing intensified, the government realised that professional firefighters could not cope with every outbreak of fire without help. Volunteers from all walks of life stepped up. Many had worked a full day before beginning a long shift of fire watching. They agreed to stay on the roofs during the night, in factory buildings, schools, offices and warehouses. They were there to put out any incendiary bombs that landed during a raid before a fire could take hold, often using buckets of sand or stirrup pumps. They were often supplied with basic protection, usually just a tin hat. The job was dangerous but essential.

The explosions and fires must have been terrifying, but many remained at their posts throughout the entire raid.

One example of the work they did was during the heavy bombing of London. Firewatchers helped to protect many important buildings, including churches, museums and historic landmarks. If they had failed does not bear thinking about. Britain could have lost many more beautiful and irreplaceable buildings and important records.

By 1941, firewatching had become a part of wartime life. Businesses organised duty rotas and many workers took turns. Firewatching became compulsory for many workplaces under the Fire Prevention (Business Premises) Order of 1941. Some would complain about the long hours and the exhaustion, which is hardly surprising. Imagine finishing a day’s work only to spend the night looking out for bombs. But many just accepted the responsibility because they knew what was at stake. They were fighting on their own battlefield, one air raid at a time. They were helping to defend their communities.

As the threat of large-scale bombing started to ease after the worst years of the Blitz, the need for them to constantly fire watch reduced. But, the contribution of these volunteers should not be forgotten. They stood watch on cold nights, dealt with the fear and the exhaustion, and often placed themselves in danger in order to protect the places where they lived and worked.

Do you think firewatchers receive the recognition they deserve for the risks they took ?