Page 12 - Oundle Life March 2022

12-months – gas masks were handed out to people of all ages and gas decontamination buildings were quickly erected across the country.
These centrally-located, municipal structures typically provided an undressing area, shower and eye douche facilities, drying space, and
a dressing room with benches and clothes lockers. The windows – located high in the external walls – let in light without compromising the privacy of the
occupants while unclothed, and the
taller building form with chimney was
likely intended for heating the shower
water and for boiling clothing as part
of the cleansing process. So, what of the adjacent hut with ‘tin’ roof – now used
by the Scout Group? The great C20 Military Expert Wayne Cockcroft from Historic England was in no doubt. “That would have been
used for various civil defence organisations’ administration, including training and hot pot supper meetings.”
It is quite remarkable to find such a complete example of this building type still standing as almost all were quickly demolished after 2 May 1945 when the civil defence organisation was stood down. Indeed, a quick search for ‘Gas Decontamination’ using Historic England’s database of ~400K listed buildings produces fewer than ten gas decontamination buildings, and most of those on military bases. Thankfully, this one was never called into use. Germany
never did bomb us with gas – although they did tragically gas millions of people in The Holocaust, proving that our fears and precautions were valid.
Postscript: ‘Katherine Joan Strong’ was born in Greenwich in 1901 and died
in Oundle in 1984. For many years Joan was a leading-light in the Guides rising to the position of District Commissioner. She lived in Oundle and enjoyed a large garden which she happily shared with the Guides for camping.
Unlike all other historic buildings in Oundle
Joe Croser, first studied architecture in Oxford, and later completed postgrad research into historic buildings in Cambridge. Today he leads Oundle Architecture with a particular
focus on residential design and historic building conservation and refurbishment. www.oundlearchitecture.com
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