My father John Kavanagh’s “Na Seirbhise Reamhcuraim in Aghaidh Aer Ruathar” {Air Raid Precautions} Emergency Medal. His certificate of enrollment from Limerick Corporation and a group photograph of the Limerick men involved in the organisation. I have enclosed a close up of the certificate and photograph but not the medal as I decided not to remove it from the frame.

 

 

 

 

 

My father is in the centre row on the far left

 

One of the first considerations which any urban area had to tackle in the event of war was the need for defence against air attack. In the event of an invasion of Ireland, Limerick could be seen as being a possible target for air attack. As well as being a centre of population, it was also a port city and was located near the important electricity power station at Ardnacrusha. The Air Raid Precautions Act of 1939 was enacted to meet this potential threat to the country. Under this Act, Limerick City recruited 330 unpaid volunteers as Air Raid Precaution warders. They were required to make a census of the families in their district and their ages to help in the assembly of gas masks, to advise householders in the provision of bomb proof and gas proof shelters and to ensure that the necessary lighting restrictions are enforced. In times of emergency they must direct people to places of shelter, remove people from streets before raids and in every way assist in reducing the possible casualty list. They were also required to give notice of casualties to the Air Raid First Aid Posts. In addition the City Manager proposed that 4 electric sirens be purchased to sound the alarm in the event of the city coming under attack. A casualty service was to be set up consisting of doctors, nurses, first aid workers, ambulance drivers and other volunteers. Three first aid posts were to be established in the City Home, the City Dispensary and Leamy’s School. By mid-November 1939, Limerick had been declared a “Scheduled Area” which meant that a strict blackout had to be observed at all times. All public lighting was turned off and shopkeepers were instructed to make sure their establishments gave off no light after dark. Private homes also had to ensure that no light leaked out to the street.

In the succeeding months ahead large numbers of recruits volunteered and the local authority began organising their Air Raid Precaution Units who trained in how to react in the event of air and gas attacks. Limerick in the 1940s took on the appearance of a city prepared for war. The construction of trenches for the use by the public in the event of air raids was undertaken as early as July of 1940. Large numbers of unemployed men offered their services in the construction of various public safety shelters. In January 1942, proposals were made for the construction of both underground and surface shelters which were to accommodate 3,550 people in the event of an air raid. It was also recommended that underground passageways be constructed in O’Connell Street and William Street which were to cater for 1,200 people. Existing buildings were to be reinforced and their basements to be used as shelters. These included King John’s Castle, St. Michael’s protestant Church and Strand House.

 

 Air Raid Precautions Badge, Helmet, Whistle, Gas Mask and booklet in my collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A booklet from Aire Cosanta published in 1965 on how to survive in a nuclear war and advice on protection in the home and on the farm.

 

 

 

The Emergency Medal was instituted on the 6th October 1944 but production and issue of the medals did not take place until 1947.  The obverse of the medal which is common to all the medals shows a female figure in a cloak representing Ireland. She has a wolfhound beside her and a sword in her hand. The inscription reads “Re Na Prainne” which translates as “Emergency Period.” The obverse of each medal names the organisation to which it was issued and the dates 1939-1946. The suspension pin of each medal reads “Seirbhis Niasunta.” The following Emergency Medals form part of my collection.

 

Na Caomnoiri Aitiula

The Local Security Force, Regional Police and Security Service

 

 

 

Fórsa Na N-Óglach {2u Line}

The Second Line Volunteer Reserve consisting of Infantry Field Engineers and Medical Units.

 

 

 

An Slua Muiri-The Maritime Inscription Medal

 

 

 

Fórsa Cosanta Aitiuil

The Local Defence Force, Regional Volunteer Reserve

 

 

 

Ranna Cead Cabrac Cumann Croise Deirge na HEireann

First Aid Division-Irish Red Cross

 

 

 

ARP Services Identity Card