Air Raid Shelters etc

It's an escape and ventilation hatch for an air raid shelter. There were four handles underneath which would release it, and it could be opened from outside too. You can see three of the nuts in the photo. The cover is 26" x 27.5" approx. Made by Dudley & Dowell Ltd of Cradley Heath.

Hi all, first post for us! 2016 is our 80th year of business and so we are reminiscing by posting old photos of our projects. Our founder, George Deeley, was renowned for building several air raid shelters throughout the city. Unfortunately, our photography archive goes back to the 1960's and I cannot find any war time images. I can confirm one location I know we built an air raid shelter which was Avon Street, Upper Stoke, Coventry. They were circa 30 ft long and 12 ft wide. Your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated. Edward

I cannot help you with this, mainly because although my brother and I worked for G.W. Deeley it was in the 70's so before our time. Happy times working there. Please give our regards to Peter Deeley. Vaughan & Stuart M.

Any idea in what year the shelter was built in Avon Street?

Thank you for your response. Peter cannot quite narrow it down but he thinks it was 1939 or 1940.

Thank you for the kind words. I have passed on your message to Peter and he also sends his regards. Deeley Construction are still an excellent firm to work for and still have the same strong family values within the company. All the best, Edward

Hi Edward I've been in contact with a lady who has lived in Avon Street all her life she is 91 years of age she can't recall an air raid shelter of that size being built in Avon Street most people had their own shelters in their back gardens and those that didn't shared with a neighbour however she definitely remembers a shelter of that proportion being built in Stratford Street next to a church hall where a block of apartments now stand as this is quite close to Avon Street could this be the shelter that Peter remembers hope this helps.

Here's one in Hertford Street opposite the Westminster Bank, in the bombed-out basement of the Queen's Hotel:

I was disappointed to see today after all the years it has been there this has been filled in and concreted over and they didn't even bother continuing the block paving over it.

Always looked for this when visiting Bedworth. There actually used to be two of them quite close to each other. Now neither remain so I will just see concrete when I visit. WW2 was a very grim time but artefacts like these reflect the wartime history of the town which is important, and is now diminished in my opinion.

There was also about 4 air raid shelters on the Peugeot site on Torrington Avenue, they were virtually opposite to the Duggins Lane junction, I know because as a child, probably late sixties, me and my mates went there exploring as you do, and left a message with my mother to say where I was, she panicked and called the police fearing for my safety, they sent for the Civil Defence, not sure of the outcome, we had left by the time they arrived.

Hi Mick. Air raid shelters were dark, rat infested stinking places that even in war time were not often used. Rather take your chance in the open than go in those stinking holes. There was a shelter bottom of Hall Green Rd near where I lived but don't think it was ever used. 1947ish came the wrecking ball and the guy took one swing at the shelter and most of it collapsed. Would never have stood an even small bomb close by. Direct hit??? Never.

I don't know whether this is correct, but I was told that there was a big shelter in Earl Street on the same side as the Council House, but on the corner of St Mary's Street. When I knew it in the 1960s it was a public toilets and I think backed onto the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. It was a light grey colour, like concrete I guess. Incidentally those loos were immaculate, with a little lady always working in there polishing the brass pipes and cleaning round. A 1d in those days!

I believe the building you are speaking of was converted into "Browns" - and more recently I think it has been purchased by The Herbert. I'm sure others can confirm/correct me on that.