Inside History
Britain 1938-1945
One of the most iconic structures of the British World War II home front was the Anderson shelter, a rounded metal construction that was built in the back gardens of homes to protect British citizens from Luftwaffe bombings. These shelters could be built by ordinary people and served individual families, unlike the bigger public shelters that could house many more people. The Anderson shelter was first designed in 1938 by engineers William Paterson and Oscar Carl Kerrison, who named their creation after Sir John Anderson, the Minister of Home Security who commissioned the design. From February 1939 until the outbreak of war in September of the same year, over a million Anderson shelters were built in gardens across Britain. While some households received their shelters for free from the government, families who earned more than £250 a year (equivalent to around £15,000 in today’s money) had to pay for their shelters.
Anderson shelters measured around 1.95m by 1.35m and could fit up to six people inside, making them ideal for families who had the space and garden to accommodate one. They were the most widely used type of home shelter, with an estimated 2.5 million shelters being built in gardens by the middle of 1940. However, for those without a garden and the space, the Anderson shelter was not so accessible. Other kinds of shelter were developed, including the Morrison shelter, which could be erected inside the house to provide protection from bombing. Another popular option though were public shelters, and in London many people chose to shelter in the city’s underground stations when they heard an air raid siren.
Ultimately, the Anderson shelters saved thousands of lives during the intense bombings experienced by Britain during World War II. They were strong and shielded people from nearby explosions, with some still surviving to this day.
BUNK BEDS
In order to accommodate up to six people for lengthy periods of time, the Anderson shelters had to be made as comfortable as possible. With many air raids happening overnight, it was not uncommon for people to sleep in their shelters. Therefore, many families chose to build bunk beds that could fit into the claustrophobic shelters, following government advice and placing the adult beds down the sides and children’s beds across the back wall.
GARDEN SPACE
Anderson shelters were an ideal solution to providing protection for individual families who would be at risk during air raids. However, the shelter relied on people having a garden in which the shelters could be built, which was not the case for many people who lived in more built-up urban areas. As a result, many people sheltered from air raids in public shelters, or risked remaining in their homes.
SUPPLIES AND FACILITIES
Inside the shelters, people had to make sure they had enoug
