A special senseĬats were also thought to be able to detect bombs ahead of time, like dogs sniffing out explosives. A Women’s Army Corps kitten named “Glamour Puss” was famously cat-napped, but the offer of a delicious steak dinner prompted his safe return. The act of caring for these lost animals would give the soldiers comfort, and many found the presence of a furry mascot at the end of a hard day to provide some entertainment and stress relief. While stationed abroad, they would often adopt cats or kittens that had been abandoned. ĭuring times of war, soldiers experienced grueling stress under the most perilous of conditions. Comfort in uncertain times Honorable Kodiak Kat, the 73rd Bombardment Wing mascot. Tiddles, a large black cat, traveled more than 30,000 miles with the British Royal Navy during World War II. With their excellent eyesight, cats were also rumoured to spot even the faintest of lights on the darkest and stormiest nights. On the ocean, some superstitious sailors even believed that cats would bring them protection at sea. By controlling the rat and mouse populations, cats were also able to curtail the spread of disease by rodents. Not only did they protect the limited rations of food, but they were also able to squeeze into tight spaces and prevent rodents from gnawing at important communications wiring and chewing through ropes and planks on ships. Cats found a niche job in military barracks and aboard ships. Aboard naval shipsĪs unofficial allies, cats were able to go places that people, or larger animals, could not. Cats and other animal mascots were often given military code names, an act which often brought moments of laughter among soldiers as they shared silly names from a beloved childhood pet or memory. Various animals such as “Mike” the Saint Bernard, or “Batisse” the goat gave soldiers comfort and affection. In the military, animal mascots were used to provide friendship and a happy distraction to Canadian soldiers. Those with cats will likely not be surprised to learn it was a cat named “Simon” who won a Dickin Medal, the highest honor for Animal Military Gallantry in Britain! Playful mascots While dogs and horses are often portrayed as wartime workers and companions, cats also played important roles in a variety of ways. The doors had ventilation holes in them.On Remembrance Day, we remember and honour those who have served, including the animals who have bravely given so much in times of conflict and peace. The shelter entrance was via a pair of two inch thick wooden doors and a set of wooden steps down. There was a sealed biscuit tin of emergency supplies (which fortunately were never needed) and some earthenware bottles of water. Ran an electricity supply from the shed and we had a flat electric fire which would also boil a kettle, a mains driven nightlight for night-time use and a bright bulb for daytime. Along one side were two bunk beds and along the other was a single bunk with storage underneath. The floor was of concrete with a sump to collect leakage and condensation. It was made of 'Dolphin Brand' corrugated iron (showing many blue stippled trademarks of dolphins) and with the joints sealed with black bitumen. Height being underground and the top half above ground level, covered by the spoil of the excavation. Our Anderson shelter was installed in the back garden, beyond the garden shed, about three feet of its Show the thick insulating earth or its mock-up on top. Understandable because floors can't be dug into at whim. Invariably show Anderson shelters sitting on the floor - which is The word 'dugout' is crucially important. Mockups of Anderson shelters in museums and WW2 re-enactments The door and end wall were also corrugated Roof and sides were sheets of corrugated iron bent into an inverted U and bolted What an Anderson shelter wasĪn Anderson shelter was essentially a reinforced dug-out for back gardens. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to take charge of 'Air Raid Precautions',Īround 3 million Anderson shelters were distributed.īlitz recollections and my own family's story Known as the Anderson Shelter after Sir John Anderson who was designated by the Were for small numbers of people and could be fitted inside homes.) What was needed was a shelter that could be mass produced for larger families that could be put up They came in a range of sizes suitable for medium to large families.Įarly in WW2, when London was bombed nightly by the Luftwaffe, there was a shortage of bomb sheltersįor people to take cover. Anderson shelters were WW2 bomb shelters primarily for back
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