Air Raid Precautions - Emergency Services in University Grounds

A Lot of Back Chat

The Air Raid Precautions (ARP) Committee was established by the University to, "...ensure that the University...shall be able to carry on its normal activities for as long as possible with the least amount of dislocation" during World War II. But despite what must have been trying times, the Committee attempted to arrange a social gathering, albeit with disappointing consequences.

On 30 October 1942, Nightwatchman, G Sharp wrote to the Vice-Chancellor, "I have to report that car LX809 crashed into and dislodged one of the large stones of the retaining wall in front of the Main Building...was hanging over with front wheels on the lower lawn. This happened at 2am after the A.R.P. Dance. It took six men to lift it up by the front and push it back. I then got the Driver to write his name and address which is attached to this report. Several of the people gave me a lot of back chat both male and female". The University took swift action, writing on the same day, to the Department of Road Transport and Tramways, requesting the name and address of the owner of the car, "...so that the University authorities may take suitable action. The occupants of the car were not at all helpful to the Night Watchman who appeared on the scene some time after the collision occurred".

This was followed by an internal memorandum updating the Vice-Chancellor that, "It appears that a dance was held in the Union Hall last night and that the people who attended it were A.R.P. persons...The people in the car which was involved in the accident...were evidently not University people. I find that a coping stone of some considerable weight was dislodged from its site and was thrown by the impact of the car on to the lower lawn. Another coping stone has been slightly shifted...asked...to have the stones reset to their former positions. The stone are of great weight and the replacement of the one dislodged will need shear legs. The site...is almost opposite the Great Hall door...It would appear that social functions similar to the one held last night should not be repeated". A handwritten note on this memorandum reads, "any compensation?". [Ref 1].

This item is part of the University Archives' 70 Years, 70 Stories series, created to celebrate our 70th birthday on 3 May 2024. To discover more stories, explore the 70 Years, 70 Stories collection.

Ref 1: Air Raid Precautions - Emergency Services in University Grounds (25/08/1939 to 30/10/1942), [REF-00043679]. University of Sydney Archives.