St Margaret's ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Log. Volume 4. 18 February 1941 - 25 September 1941. Pages 1-8

The fourth of nine volumes of the St Margaret’s ARP Logs. This volume covers the period from 18th February 1941 to 25th September 1941.

During this period air raids continue over the area, as does shelling from the German gun batteries on the French coast.

The Air Raid Warden service was set up in 1937 dedicated to the protection of civilians from the danger of air raids. The St Margaret’s ARP Post was set up in the Cliffe Hotel in the High Street. The Chief Warden during this period was Charles Groves who was also the proprietor of the Cliffe Hotel.

Given the proximity to the French coast air raid warnings figure prominently in these logs. The warnings were colour coded which is how they are recorded in the log. They are as follows:

‘AIR RAID MESSAGE YELLOW’
A PRELIMINARY CAUTION that raiding aircraft are approaching the UK. Sent to recipients on the district warning list in which the raiders appear to be heading. This message is only a preliminary warning and was confidential. It was neither to be passed on from one district to another nor to be conveyed to the public.

‘AIR RAID WARNING RED’
An ACTION WRNING that raiding aircraft are heading towards certain districts that may be attacked within from five to ten minutes. Sent to recipients on the direct warning list of districts threatened. Message passed by telephone to certain authorities on the warning list, who will sound the Air Raid Warning.

‘AIR RAID MESSAGE GREEN’
RAIDERS PASSED. Raiding aircraft have left districts warned or no longer appear to threaten those districts. Sent to all recipients of an ACTION WARNING. Message passed by telephone to certain authorities on the warning list who will sound the RAIDERS PASSED.

‘AIR RAID MESSAGE WHITE’
CANCEL CAUTION. Sent to all recipients of the PRELIMINARY CAUTION (whether they had received the ACTION WARNING and RAIDERS PASSED or not). This message was confidential. It was to be passed on only to those who received the PRELIMINARY CAUTION.

‘AIR RAID WARNING PURPLE’
Means EXTINGUISH ALL LIGHTS.

This item covers pages 1-8, 18th February 1941 – 26th February 1941. For the rest of Volume 4 see also items 5690-5704.