Mexborough and Swinton Times September 30, 1938

A.R.P. Drive
Public’s United Front
Emergency Organisation Works Well

The serious turn in international affairs last week-end, following the break-up of the Godesberg talks between the British Premier and the German Chancellor, resulted in a significant speeding up of air raid precautionary measures in South Yorkshire, as it did all over the country.

Though virtually untried, the organisation in this part of the county worked remarkably smoothly, and by last night gas masks had been issued to the bulk of the population, trenches had been dug, or ; were well on the way to completion, in all the towns, and other this measures of a defensive nature had been taken.

Special constables, air raid wardens and a host of willing volunteers worked cheerfully and with calm determination. The public responded magnificently to the demand for voluntary effort and there was no lack of helpers for the many tasks, which included assembling, as well as fitting, and in some cases delivering, hundreds of thousands of gas masks.

Morale was everywhere excellent, and the people showed a united front in shouldering staunchly the responsibilities and duties allotted to them. While clinging to the hope of peace, everyone realised that the time had come for swift action and Yorkshire folk set themselves to prepare for whatever might happen, with grim and wholehearted purpose.