Fitting a gas mask

Filmed by A.E. Reneson Coucher OBE

Copyright Family Keen

Female volunteer wardens demonstrating the correct fitting of gas masks. This footage was taken as part of training exercises in the London Borough of St Marylebone. In the late 1930s and then during the 'phoney war' of September 1939 to May 1940, official precautions stressed the potential dangers of gas. Memories of the First World War - which had witnessed the first large-scale use of poison gas in military history - and advances in German air power dominated British Civil Defence precautions. As war loomed, much effort was devoted to protecting the British civilian population from its predicted, baleful effects. In the event, gas was not used as a weapon in the Luftwaffe attacks on Britain. 

For more information about the colour footage contact the Imperial War Museum by email at filmcommercial@iwm.org.uk