FOLLOWING urgent appeals by Fire Chief WR Howells, Swindonians were at last making efforts to safeguard their homes and businesses during an incendiary bomb attack.

The Swindon ARP authority organised a number of talks and demonstrations across the town to get the message across.

Town centre businesses had organised fire watching schemes during an alert, while residents in Lansdown and Ferndale roads were also getting in on the act.

At a meeting at the Methodist Chapel, Cheney Manor Road, residents unanimously decided to buy a number of stirrup pumps and a rota of fire watchers was formed.

“Through the medium of this particular scheme it is hoped to systematically cover the whole of the area and to give every individual an easy opportunity of qualifying himself or herself, to be of real practical service to the community in the event of a raid,” reported the Advertiser.

The effectiveness of well organised fire watching parties was demonstrated during a fire bomb raid over London this week in 1941.

“In one large district which was the subject of a particularly heavy attack, several hundred fire bombs were dropped and dealt with by the parties with such speed that the wardens sent a message of congratulation on the quick and successful efforts,”

reported the Advertiser.

And in Plymouth civilian fire watchers were praised for their rapid response during the city’s most vicious raid of the war.

Two hospitals were hit but initial casualty figures were reported as low during a raid which lasted for some hours.