National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Branksome', Heathwood Road, Cardiff
It's war-time and the garden, where the Iles sisters continue to play, houses an air raid shelter beneath the rockery, and Dad is a Civil Defence Warden.
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Overview
War-time changes everything. Although the young Iles sisters continue to play and picnic, the garden of their home in Heathwood Road, Cardiff, now houses an air-raid shelter, disguised as a rockery, and Dad is a Civil Defence Warden.
The Civil Defence General Service, which included Air Raid Precautions, was operated by well over a million volunteer fire watchers/fighters, rescue parties and First Aiders, most of whom were working full-time in paid work. Youth organisations were also involved, with their members being used as messengers. A Civil Defence Warden, such as R G Iles, was responsible for providing his/her community with information on e.g. air raid precautions, and expected to provide leadership and guidance after any incident, reporting damage or casualties to the local CD control centre. This film probably shows wardens engaged in a training exercise.
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