WW2 Bermondsey

It is London, 1940 and Nazi Germany is trying to bomb the United Kingdom into submission. As part of the Port of London, Bermondsey was an obvious target with its warehouses full of goods to support the war effort and keep the population fed. To the South lay Bricklayers Arms railway goods depot, another prime target for the bombers to hit.

German Heinkel HE111 medium bomber over South East London in 1940
Smoke rises from the Surrey Docks after the air raid on 7th September 1940

“The Boy Scouts of Bermondsey gave outstanding services. Immediately on the declaration of war they provided the Messenger Service at Wardens’ Posts and other strategic points, and they maintained that invaluable help throughout the whole period. During the blitzes these Messengers went everywhere, traversing the bomb-blasted streets with complete disregard of personal safety”

Text quoted from “Bermondsey at War” by James D. Stewart, background image source: http://www.scoutsrecords.org/

SCOUTS WORKING IN WORLD WAR 2
Scouts trained for and undertook a huge number of roles from collecting waste paper for recycling to working in farmer’s fields and even assisting in hospital operating theatres! In the middle of air raids they would be watching for, and reporting, fires as well as rushing to put out incendiary devices. They could only be put out by being smothered with sand. It was dangerous work.

Image source: http://www.lonsdalescouts.org.uk/

Scouts trained for and undertook a huge number of roles from collecting waste paper for recycling to working in farmer’s fields and even assisting in hospital operating theatres! In the middle of air raids they would be watching for, and reporting, fires as well as rushing to put out incendiary devices. They could only be put out by being smothered with sand. It was dangerous work.

Photo from Mary Evans Picture Library

Frank’s role was as a Messenger. Messages were sent between the ARP (Air Raid Patrol) posts as written notes carried by messengers, even when the bombs where dropping and exploding all around them. It was extremely dangerous work. Once the message had been given a reply would usually have to be taken back with the messenger having to risk death and serious injury once more.

Image Source: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/381340367477
The Scout Association published a booklet about their work in WW2