World War II Air Raid Wardens' Post at Dover Priory Station

Former Air Raid Precaution Wardens' Post at Dover Priory Station

This is a former Air Raid Precaution wardens' post dating from around 1939–40. It stands in a fenced and partly walled enclosure at the side of the steps down from Folkestone Road to the approach to Dover Priory railway station.

The building is small and rectangular, measuring approximately 6 by 4 metres. It is constructed of white-painted brick with walls 0.3 metres thick and topped by a flat concrete roof edged with a brick parapet. The entrance and two windows (possibly enlarged after the war) are located on the long front elevation facing the station. Several iron brackets of unknown function are fixed to the external walls.

The structure conforms roughly to Home Office guidance for such posts, incorporating features designed to protect against blast and bomb fragmentation. These include reinforced brick walls, a deep soffit to the roof, a blast baffle entrance, and a flat concrete roof designed to resist penetration by incendiary bombs. The interior has not been inspected and is unlikely to contain features of particular interest.

The voluntary ARP Wardens were established under the 1937 ARP Act to protect persons and property from injury or damage from hostile air attack. The service was activated following the Munich crisis in autumn 1938. Following Sir John Anderson's appointment as head of the ARP Department in late 1938 and increased efforts to provide civilian air raid shelters, provision was made for purpose-built ARP posts. Previously, such posts had been located in adapted existing properties. In May 1939 the ARP Department advised local authorities they could spend £50 on protected shelters, rising to £75 for larger examples, with guidance given for small flat-roofed above-ground structures. However, no national standard was provided and local patterns were adopted. ARP Wardens' posts were vital to civil defence coordination, maintaining communications with other posts to provide early warning of raids and render emergency assistance to injured or trapped victims.

Dover held a major role in the Second World War as a military base and harbour. Its proximity to the Continental coast earned this part of Kent the title 'Hellfire Corner'. The Dunkirk evacuation was directed from Dover Castle. As a major military target, Dover received 464 high explosive bombs, 1,500 incendiaries, three parachute mines, three V1s, and 2,226 high explosive shells fired by long-range guns from the French coast. Of the civilian population, 216 were killed and several hundred injured. Dover Corporation had built a number of purpose-built structures before the outbreak of war. Local research indicates this particular post was one of 12 new posts approved in October 1939 and completed in June 1940. It is one of only two surviving ARP posts in Dover, the other being at Pilgrims Way. After the war it served for a time as a cabbies' shelter. It is now disused.