Description
Physical description
model
History note
Caption:
Sir John Anderson announced the Government's revised shelter policy in the House of Commons on 21st December 1938. In addition to the provision of public trench shelters, protection would now be provided for the ordinary citizen in or close to his home, either by the strengthening of basements or the provision of a special type of steel shelter.
The new "Anderson" shelter was constructed of a very strong galvanised corrugated steel and was intended for erection, where suitable, in the garden of houses without a basement. It was designed to take the weight of any debris that might fall upon it from the house of the type for which it was designed.
4 to 6 persons could be accommodated and extension units to take either 2 or 4 additional persons were subsequently supplied where warranted.
Issue was free to householders in specified areas who were earning £250 or less, the limit being increased by £50 for each child of school age in excess of two.
The efficiency of the protection depended upon the depth, from 4 to a minimum of 2ft, to which the shelter was sunk in and covered by the earth. The minimum thickness of earth to cover the top of the arch was 15in, and cover the sides and back, 30in, but the shelter would safely support 3ft of earth.
If the shelter was erected more than 15ft from a house, the erection of an earthen or other wall at least 2 ft thick was recommended to provide splinter-proof protection for the shelter entrance.
By July 1939 it had become apparent that in certain areas "Anderson" steel shelters were liable to become flooded and the provision of concrete floors and sides was authorised.
In October 1939 a smaller type of Anderson shelter to accommodate 4 persons was introduced. In the same month arrangements for the sale of Anderson shelters were authorised. The cash price for a shelter for 4 persons was £6.14.0, for 6 £8, for 8 £9.12 and for ten persons £10.18.0.
A Defence Regulation was issued in May 1940 requiring householders to erect and cover Anderson shelters by 11th June.
Bunks for Anderson shelters were provided in the London Region with free delivery and installation in February 1941.
They were of two types - one for adults and one for children - 6ft long and 19in wide, and 4ft 6in long and 2ft 6in wide repectively.
The internal dimensions of the standard shelter were 6ft 6in long by 4ft 6in wide by 6ft high.