Historical Document
Bishop Wilton’s World War II Invasion Scheme Bishop Wilton’s WWII Invasion Scheme is reproduced in its entirety from page 6 onwards. It is preceded by an article from Local History Bulletin 16 explaining why the document was produced, how we came by it and highlighting some of the main features of the document.
First printed March, 2004 Reprinted February, 2009
Bishop Wilton Local History Group - WWII Invasion Scheme
World War II Invasion Scheme
Kate & Mike Pratt Based on the original document supplied by the late Alan Hobbs
The Document Comes To Light
so carefully typed and bound made it even more special. Considering the number chance meeting with of such schemes that must the late Alan Hobbs have been produced across in Pocklington led to him the country during the war mentioning that he had it is surprising that only a found an old document few seem to have survived. in his garage that the Perhaps the fact that they Local History Group were secret at the time and might be interested in. He only known to the local subsequently handed it Invasion Committees had over to the Group in time some bearing on this. for it to be displayed at an Coverage in the Bulexhibition in the Village letin is long overdue. It is Hall in 2003. Identifying prompted by the fact that the document as a rare the document has been deexample of its kind we posited with the East Ridconsidered it worthy of HISTORICAL DOCUMENT: publicity. The coverage in Former headteacher of Bishop Wilton School Alan ing Archives at the Treasthe Pocklington Post of 3rd Hobbs with Kate Pratt, founder of the village’s ure House in Beverley. This means that it will be July 2003 is reproduced History Group, and the wartime document. available for public study here. but does not preclude reThe fact that it had survived due to the foresight of its creator, the Reverend possession by the village at some future date e.g. for Richard Fawcett, who kept it and then handed it over display at an exhibition. to Alan was significant enough. The fact that it was
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Historical Background
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eginning in 1940, Invasion Committees were set up throughout the country to take responsibility for local arrangements should the Germans invade. These Committees had to prepare secret Invasion Schemes based on criteria issued by the Ministry of Home Security and keep them up to date throughout the war. There is very little historical information about these schemes. On the internet, someone who found a similar document in his area calls them “War Books” and provides this explanation:
The History of WWII Invasion Committee “War Books” By Ian F Angus
According to the Imperial War Museum, in the face of the threat of a German invasion of this country in 1940, all local civilian responsibilities were made the concern of ‘Invasion Committees’, each of which looked after the interests of its own district. These committees were to prepare War Books in accordance with a standard proforma issued by the Ministry of Home Security. Should hasty evacuation become necessary, the war books were to be destroyed. There are twenty-two parts starting with a statement of the perceived local invasion threat and continuing as a very detailed list of local assets and personal responsibilities with location and telephone number of the various key individuals. Ian Angus, TD, B.Sc., is a northcountryman but has lived in Devon for 35 years. He is vicechairman of the Lympstone Society with a particular interest in aspects concerned with the armed services. Since completing his article he has circulated all Record Offices in the South West with consolidated lists of the results of his War Book studies. http://www.britannia.com/lympstone/warbook.html and 9. There is evidence to suggest that many of the people named, other than the officials, had no idea of their likely role should the planned for invasion take place. The scheme covers the “East end of the Civil Parish of Bishop Wilton”. A separate Invasion Committee was formed for Youlthorpe with Gowthorpe. The first meeting of the Committee was held in April 1942. The Scheme as documented represents a final revision in February 1944. The Committee was disbanded on 23rd October 1944 after a letter from the Regional Commissioner dated 3rd October 1944. The population at the time, including evacuees from Hull, was estimated to be 474, with 370 in the village and 104 outside. The Scheme was produced in anticipation of a German invasion and there are numerous mentions of a possible receipt of “Action Stations”, hence the need for a Headquarters at the Vicarage and an alternative at the Fleece Inn, along with availability of a small number of battery operated wireless receivers
Nature and Content
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t isn’t easy to succinctly describe the document as its main interest lies in the mention of Bishop Wilton residents and their roles in the Invasion Scheme. However certain things do stand out. The document was typed, presumably by Rev. Fawcett, in two colours. The headings are in black and the body of the text is in red. The whole document has been hole-punched and secured with what appears to be a shoe lace at the spine. Specially made front and back boards finish off the document and a tie-string has been added to keep the document closed. The Scheme, as written up, was meant to be secret while the threat of invasion loomed, only known to the Invasion Committee and those specifically identified. One section is headed “The FOLLOWING OFFICIALS can be taken into consultation when their advice is required”. The names of those on the Committee and the Advisers are reproduced on pages 8 3
Bishop Wilton Local History Group - WWII Invasion Scheme (in the event of the mains operated receivers being out of action). Although, as noted, “There is a difficulty in replacing dry batteries”! There is no doubt that the creation of the Scheme was taken seriously and that the preparations were thorough. However, mention of areas in which there were inadequacies do stand out:
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1. The Committee regret that no Police Plan for the information of the Committee has been submitted. 2. No First Aid Post has been authorised for the Village, the nearest being at Pocklington, 5 miles away ... although the document goes on to say ... A First Aid Point has been established locally with the Church as its centre and is manned by volunteers. 3. Very little equipment has been provided by the authorities but Mrs Denton, the leader of the [First Aid] party, and her helpers have made and bought equipment, including a stretcher, out of funds they have raised locally. 4. With regard to the Feeding Centre at the School: This centre is supposed to be sufficient for 90 persons but only cutlery and crockery sufficient for 24 persons have been provided by the County Council. 5. The Committee regret to say that they have not been given a reasonable military appreciation of the situation that might arise in an emergency. After representations made to Military Headquarters in May 1942 fuller information was promised but never materialised. The Committee have, therefore, had to draw up their plans in ignorance of any military scheme.
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The Invasion Committee maintained the Scheme for just over two years. From the comments made about police and military planning (items 1 and 5, above) it is clear that the precise implications of an invasion could not be known. Nevertheless, the preparations continued in earnest and the documented Scheme shows numerous signs of local innovation in difficult circumstances as these extracts show: 1. An official notice board has been fixed on the Warden’s Post at the Fleece Inn, a very central position. 2. A Siren was presented to the village by Mr W. L. Fisher and the necessary accessories were
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purchased out of funds subscribed locally. A good Messenger Service was organised at the beginning of the War and the messengers slept each night at the Head Warden’s Post. Unfortunately it was never officially recognised and so when the Messengers were called up for Military Service or voluntarily joined the Home Guards or National Fire Service it was difficult to replace them. Since January 1944, however, three Civil Defence Messengers, Gordon Foster (52), Arthur West (5), Laurence West (26), have enrolled and they have been earmarked to act as Messengers for the Invasion Committee. The numbers in brackets are house numbers. As the telephone system at Bishop Wilton is extremely erratic in operation and often out of order the Committee feel that a car should be allowed to be mobilised as long as possible so that, in an emergency, contact with the SubControl at Pocklington and outlying stations may be maintained as long as possible. A very suitable building in the Churchyard has been set aside by the Church Council for use as a Mortuary and will be in charge of the Parish Clerk and Sexton, Mr J. H. Burgess (13) with Mr G. Barker (8) acting as his deputy and assistant. In an emergency “Burial by blanket method” will have to be adopted. A Field Boiler has been erected in the School Yard; and a small quantity of food is stored in the School in case the feeding centre should ever be opened by the authorities. No public or private shelters have been provided. The Invasion Committee have supplied each household with a leaflet giving particulars of slit trenches and urging householders to site these trenches now ready to dig them when advised. An N.F.S. Petrol Driven Trailer Pump and Box Car with equipment is stationed at Bishop Wilton for use by the local Fire Party under the leadership of Mr S. Bailey (3) who can be contacted direct or by Tel. B.W. 254. The present strength is 9 firemen. For Fire Fighting purposes the Beck, running down the middle of the Village, has been dammed; and water could also be pumped out of the Fish Pond near the Church.
February, 2009 11. A Petrol Pump owned by Mr W. L. Fisher (1) has been immobolised for some months. Orders for the immobilisation of cars etc will be given when received by the Police Representative.
been a most thorough Chairman of the Bishop Wilton Invasion Committee. He also shows signs of being aware of the historical importance of the Invasion Scheme as documented. On the first page is written:
Further areas of preparation not covered in the extracts above encompass: a Casualty Service and what to do to record fatalities and safely store personal property; decontamination of clothing, food and people; road clearance; care of the homeless; maintenance of a water supply, lighting, sewage disposal and fuel; availability of tractors; provision of food. The Scheme was produced in response to a very real threat and the preparations made show how seriously it was taken. We can only imagine the relief when the Committee could finally be disbanded although it was some months before the war finally ended.
“Copy to be kept in the custody of the CHAIRMAN. On the disbandment of the Committee this copy was put in the Parish Archives.� The Rev. Fawcett handed the document to Alan Hobbs in 1962 when he retired. We are thankful to both of them for preserving such a treasure.
The Reverend Richard Fawcett appears to have
Document Handover
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ate Pratt received the Invasion Scheme document from Alan Hobbs in 2003. On 15th May 2007 she is pictured here handing it over to Sarah Acton, a Senior Collections Officer at the Treasure House in Beverley. The newly built Treasure House is home to the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service. The document has been loaned to the Archives so that it is available for general reference. It can be retrieved in the future if it is required for exhibiting in the village. As a matter of historical record, should the document need to be retrieved, the Treasure House Accession Number is 5236, and the Class Reference is DDX. The Local History Group will keep a supply of black and white copies of the Invasion Scheme available.
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