Home Front and Jobs
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Warden's post on the Portsmouth Road
Wardens attached to post on the Portsmouth Road
Office staff at Civil Defence HQ
Senior Civil Defence staff outside Burnt Stubb, Chessington
Malden and Coombe firefighting training
Malden and Coombe firefighting training
Malden and Coombe firefighting training
Malden and Coombe firefighting training
Kingston Home Guard, 1940s
Kingston Home Guard, 1940s
Mr Martin in Home Guard uniform by his Shelter at 52 Franks Ave, New Malden
Mr Martin in Home Guard uniform by his Shelter at 52 Franks Ave, New Malden
Medical Corps of New Malden Home Guard, 51st East Surreys at Prudential Sports Ground, Windsor Rd, New Malden
New Malden Police Station
Construction of landing barges at Gazes of Kingston, 1943
Construction of landing barges at Gazes of Kingston, 1943
Construction of landing barges at Gazes of Kingston, 1943
Aircraft part manufacturing at R B Page factory in the Bittoms, 1942
Home Front Jobs
In May 1940 local companies of the Home Guard were established. Men between the ages of 18 – 41 were called up into the services, so the Home Guard tended to be below or above this age.
ARP Wardens were appointed mainly from among older men and women. Fire and medical teams were set up. So too were ambulance and first-aid crews, road repair and messenger services. Gas Officers were also appointed. Women's Voluntary Services were organised to staff field kitchens, rest centres, hostels and nurseries.
There were many local factories in Kingston that made a contribution to the war effort. Much of the work was carried out by women taking the place of men who had joined the forces.
Vital components for Hurricane fighters were manufactured at the Hawkers factory in Canbury Park Road . Employees worked seven days a week, in shifts that spread over 24 hours.
The Mollart Engineering Company factory on the Kingston by-pass, produced high-precision component engineering parts. This company used highly skilled women for the production.
Over 150 assault craft, including some which took part in the D-Day landings were put together by WH Gaze and Sons based in the High Street in Kingston.