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Repurposed telephone box, Girton (RGL2024)

Girton data

Girton data

Girton Village:

History

Girton and the Second World War: articles that appeared in the Girton Parish News 2002-2003 by Harold Ballinger. These notes are taken from this publication.

War was declared on 3rd September 1939 and Girton Parish Council called a Special Meeting on that day to consider the implications, especially of air raids and the safety of school children. Mr Garner, headmaster, was given permission to dig shall trenches on the school people shielded by bales of straw. Education Authority advice was that children living near the school should be sent home in the event of an air raid, but the parish council thought it better to protect children at school.

In 1940 the Recreation Ground was taken over by the Military Authority for the use of a searchlight unit which stayed there for most of the war. There was some concern in the village over the welfare of the Royal Engineers manning the searchlight. By April 1940 the men were finally provided with a wireless set and a cooking stove. The villagers got permission to play cricket on the recreation ground as long as the searchlight was adequately protected.

By June 1940 Girton had its own Rescue Squad with helmets, respirators and a lorry. A First Aid party was ready and the ARP personnel prepared. Girton College offered temporary accommodation in the event of any being made homeless by air raids.

By October 1940 the village had organised a nightwatch from posts in various parts of the village. School air raid shelters were also considered important but it seems that they were never built.

In May 1941 the village decided to create a Food Production Committee and an Emergency Food Officer. An Invasion Committee was also formed; the population would be moved to wooded areas in and around the village. In the event of mass evacuation, transport for about 2,000 would be set up. Food stores would be established and a census of alternative water supplies take. Various entertainment were organised, often with a fundraising focus.

In January and May 1942 emergency services in the parish co-operated with the Military Authorities in Defence exercises.

In March 1943 Freddie Barrett, Girton resident and Youth Club leader, began a newsletter to provide a link between residents and those absent on war service. It was published every month from March 1943 to September 1945.

100 men and 12 women of Girton enlisted in the Armed forces during World War II. Eleven men did not return and are recorded on the War Memorial in the churchyard.

Mike Petty:

https://archive.org/details/CambridgeGIRTONScrapbook/mode/2up

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