Fate of city air raid shelters

IN response to the query made by B Morton (Mar 9). In 1939, local authorities were given powers to construct air raid shelters both underground and on highways. The arched roof shelters that he mentions were built widely throughout Coventry where space was available. Prior to the German advance across France, the Anderson corrugated steel shelter had been available to householders for DIY installation in back gardens. After Dunkirk, steel was needed for more essential purposes and the Anderson shelter was no longer available.

The Home Office had issued four designs for shelters intended for neighbourhood use. The best design would not be built due to a shortage of cement powder and reinforcing steel. The National Emergency Committee then decided upon the second design, brick built with arched roof. Our city engineer, Mr Ernest Ford, considered the design to be unsafe but he was overruled.

Local builders were to be used to carry out construction, as speedily as possible. Sadly the shelters very soon started to deteriorate and fall apart. Parents considered them to be a danger to children and some shelters were simply pushed down.

It was noticed that the mortar used in construction of many shelters was powdery and friable, perhaps due to insufficient cement in the mortar mix.

Some shelters did survive to be demolished after the war.

The shelter shown in the picture is an Anderson in early stage of assembly in some ones back garden. B Pearce Eastern Green