Wartime Memories of Whitchurch

Today is Remembrance Day, 11th November

There are not many people left in the village who now remember WW2. Those who do were only children at the time, but there must be lots of stories. We’re privileged to have been given a few

Ceri Stennett has written an incredible account of Whitchurch in the lead-up and the period of the war, and is well worth reading. He has kindly agreed that I can use a few of his reminiscences

War was declared in September 1939, and within months the standing army, navy and air force were vastly increased by volunteers from all over the country, including Whitchurch
Within months, many adult men were conscripted into these armed forces, with some women volunteering too
Other women worked in the various war factories. On Caerphilly Road was the ROF factory where many locals worked
As the hostilities continued, older men and adolescents were added to the conscripted numbers so, eventually most adults were involved in war effort. Those older volunteered as ARP wardens, as volunteer firefighters and special policemen. Older schoolboys did their bit as well

Many of the open spaces in the village were turned into allotments for growing vegetables and fruit
An aerial photograph of 1948 we’ve found, shows the patchwork of small plots throughout the village still visible, 3 years after the end of hostilities

Curved, corrugated Anderson shelters were erected in many back gardens. I know of one still in Llandaff North, backing onto the lane at Hailey Park. Are there any others?

In addition, communal air-raid shelters were erected throughout the village. There is one, still standing in Penlline Road (used by Boy Scouts to store their tents in later times). Where were the others?

I’m told that the ‘Batter’ at Melingriffith was excavated as a bomb shelter for the men at the tinplate works. There’s no obvious sign now, but can anyone remember when they were filled in?

Water tanks were located on the library park and on Whitchurch Common for firefighting. Where were they sited?

Anti-aircraft lights and guns were sited locally too. Does anyone know where?

There was an air raid siren located on the police station in Bishops Road. I can recall this being tested still in 1970s (just in case?)

Rationing was introduced very early into the war, with only the very basics left off. Meat, butter and cheese were in very short supply, and no imported fruit. Sweets and sugar were still rationed until the early 1950s
There’s a copy of a ration card from one of our reminiscence group shown below. If you look carefully, you’ll see that card had been faithfully stamped weekly by the local butcher
Ceri reminds us of the British Restaurant at St Mary’s Parish Hall where nourishing meals were available every day at modest cost. Apparently, the locals weren’t too impressed though!

Blackout was enforced at night, and all street lighting was turned off. I’m sure there must have been lots of accidents

Many children were evacuated to Whitchurch from London and other major English cities and they were taken in by local families
The secondary school in Manor Way was split morning/afternoon with local children attending in the mornings and evacuated children in the afternoon. Did other schools adopt the same rules?

Gas masks were issued to everyone, and you were expected to keep it with you at all times
Dorothy tells of welcoming evacuated children to her house, and there was even a gas-proof ‘cradle’ for tiny infants

Just like WW1, Whitchurch hospital again used for military casualties, and as well as injured British soldiers and sailors, allied and enemy injured were treated there as well

There were air raids and damage at the Philog with lots of localised damage, and sadly a number of fatalities. There was damage too to houses on Pantbach Road and in Ty’n-y-Pwll Road. There was even a bomb crater on the Common. Ceri suggests that the enemy bombers followed the line of the River Taff, with targets of the Melingriffith works and the railway sidings at Gabalfa
We’ve got a few stories of the bomb damage, but I’m sure that there must be a lot more

Everyone knows of the Americans based on the Common, but it’s surprising to learn that they were only here for a few months, in the lead-up to the D-Day invasion. There are so many stories, and clearly the American troops were well received. In appreciation, they raised the sum of £133-10s to provide for the twin avenue of trees to be planted along the Common. There’s a super photograph showing the American Consul unveiling a memorial plaque on 5th May 1948

There were many other American soldiers based at Heath Park for a longer period. There’s some video film of American soldiers on Heathwood Road. There’s also a 1941 film of local soldiers/home guard marching around the village (BFI film well worth seeing)

Much like WW1, iron railings and gates were removed from many houses, for melting down for the ‘war effort’

Both the Rialto and Tivoli cinemas remained opened and showed patriotic films (as well as the latest Hollywood ‘western’). I think they are still showing many of these now on TV!

And of course, at the end of hostilities with VE Day, there were many street parties in the village. With rationing still in place, I shudder to think what sort of sandwiches were on offer! Does anyone have any family stories or photographs of these parties?

With the end of the war, and much like WW1, the local ‘worthies’ began to look for a venue to construct a suitable memorial hall. This again proved fruitless, and it was agreed that the names of the lost heroes of WW2, including civilians would be added to the parish memorial. Ceri tells us that the revised memorial was unveiled at ceremony on 26th Sept 1948
So, next year, as well as the centenary of the original unveiling, it will be the 75th anniversary of WW2 unveiling

Sorry that this blog has run away, but there is so much to tell, and so many questions that remain unanswered. If any of this jogs your memory of stories told long ago, please get in touch. We’d love to hear of your stories from this period to add to our growing knowledge of our village. If you have anything, please let us know

 

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