次の展示コーナーに進む 「PROTECTING ST PAUL’S(セント・ポールを守る)」 セクションの大型タイトルパネル。
「PROTECTING ST PAUL’S(セント・ポールを守る)」 セクションの 主要解説パネル。 「PROTECTING ST PAUL’S
The Watch maintained a 24-hour vigil over the Cathedral, working in shifts day and night.
Some members were stationed at lookout points on the building’s exterior to watch the skies for enemy aircraft. Others patrolled the Cathedral’s interior, monitoring for damage and checking for incendiary bombs.
These fire spreading devices were highly dangerous as they were small and could become lodged in hidden parts of the Cathedral during air raids. Members of the Watch used stirrup pumps and buckets of water and sand to put out fires before they spread.
One of the biggest challenges new members of the Watch faced was finding their way around. As Watch Commander Godfrey Allen later remarked, it could take “even a most
「“The Cathedral presented a dismal and heartrending spectacle at that time and was certainly one of the draughtiest buildings in London. Wind and rain drove through the unprotected windows, and caused pools of water to gather on the marble floor, particularly under the Dome.” — Dean W.R. Matthews, 1946」
「Artist Henry Rushbury’s atmospheric impression of the Watch on duty in the Cathedral Dome. This illustration was made during the First World War, but it shows why the many timber supports made the Dome and roof such a big fire risk during the Blitz.」
・服装:黒系の防火服、ベルトに工具や装備を携帯。戦時下の民間防衛隊らしい実務的スタイル。 「Two members of the Watch demonstrate the use of axes on a Cathedral door.」 【見張り隊の2名が、大聖堂の扉で斧の使用方法を実演している。】
「‘…We are drilled everlastingly in the use of all our apparatus… One becomes, in time, a sort of Master of Hydrants – as of Arts – and an expert in stopcocks.
It’s rather fun letting off a big hydrant, except when it knocks you over backwards and drowns everybody near you. That’s why they call it wet drill.’
— A.S.G. Butler, Watch team leader」
【「私たちは、あらゆる装備の使い方を繰り返し訓練させられました。やがて誰もが 『消火栓の達人(まるで学位のように“Master of Hydrants”)』になり、止水栓の扱いにも 熟達していきました。
By 1940 the Cathedral urgently needed to increase its number of volunteers on the Watch, and the initial group of around 40 soon grew to 84 people, allowing for 12 men to work each shift.
An appeal to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) included in its job description ‘Men from 40 to 60 who can walk upstairs and not fear heights’.
The number of volunteers on the Watch grew to more than 300 people as the war advanced. Men and women came from various backgrounds, bravely placing themselves in harm’s way to protect the Cathedral. Together, they forged a great sense of camaraderie during a time of crisis.」
“AIR RAID WARDENS’ POST — NOT FOR USE AS A PUBLIC SHELTER”
(防空監視員詰所 ― 公共の避難所としての使用は不可)と。
「‘…We are drilled everlastingly in the use of all our apparatus… One becomes, in time, a sort of Master of Hydrants – as of Arts – and an expert in stopcocks.
It’s rather fun letting off a big hydrant, except when it knocks you over backwards and drowns everybody near you. That’s why they call it wet drill.’
「A member of the Watch inspects a lamp. A plan of St Paul’s Dome can be seen in the background. Volunteers had to familiarise themselves with the Cathedral’s complex layout for moving around during nightly blackouts.」
「Good communications were vital for the Watch. Advance locations were set up around the Cathedral equipped with telephones to report back to the Control Station in the Crypt.」
「ST PAUL’S AS A REFUGE(避難所としてのセント・ポール)」 セクションの解説パネル。 「ST PAUL’S AS A REFUGE
Despite the constant threat of danger, the Cathedral continued to hold daily services, thanks to the dedication of the Watch and Cathedral personnel.
Three wartime weddings were conducted there, and the annual Christmas Nativity and carol concerts were maintained. At times of greatest danger from flying bombs, services were either cancelled or held in the Crypt.
The preservation and continued use of St Paul’s maintained a sense of normal life and provided spiritual comfort for the community. This was vital for public morale during the darkest days of the war.」
「LIFE ON THE WATCH(見張りの生活)」 セクションの展示パネルで、 化学兵器に関する訓練資料
表形式の資料が展示されており、毒ガスの種類・性質・影響・治療法などがまとめられている。
項目例:
・ガスの種類(例:クロロピクリンなど)
・外観・匂い
・沸点・持続性
・効果(症状)
・応急処置(First Aid Treatment)
「Members of the Watch were trained to identify different types of gas, their effects and treatments for victims. Ultimately, this knowledge was not put to use – Germany did not deploy gas as a method of attack.」
「Life on the Watch」では、隊員の日常(待機・巡回・訓練)を様々な角度から紹介しており、 この資料はその中でも “訓練と備え” を象徴する展示であった。
ガスマスクがテーマに。
・ガスマスクが箱に入った状態で整列している様子。
・奥には「No. 165」と書かれた隊員のヘルメットも見える。
・物資として配備されたガスマスクは、大規模に備蓄されていたことが分かる。
「It was widely feared that Germany would use poison gas in attacks on Britain. The government produced almost 38 million gas masks for the population.」
「An unidentified member of the Watch. Recruitment became harder as the war lengthened, as older members reluctantly retired and many people were enrolled in other parts of the war effort.」
「During breaks, the Watch members gathered in the Cathedral maintenance workers’ mess room. Each night they listened to the news on the wireless for updates of raids and to hear speeches.」
「Members of the Watch gather on the steps awaiting their turn for patrol duty.」 【見張り隊の隊員たちが、巡回任務の順番を待ちながら階段に集まっている。】
講義・娯楽活動に関するもの。
場面:椅子に座った見張り隊員たちが、一列に並んで真剣に講義を聞いている。
服装:防空服や制服姿の者が多い。ヘルメットは床に置かれている。
雰囲気:緊張というよりも、学びや文化活動に集中する落ち着いた様子。
「The nightly practice drills could become monotonous, so a series of lectures was organised in 1944 to 1945 to entertain members of the Watch.
Subjects covered ranged widely, from ‘Women in Romantic Poetry’ and ‘The Solar System’ to ‘Pistols and Aluminium’. In the age before streaming TV, you really did have to make your own entertainment.」
The first volunteers spent 1939 busily making preparations for protecting the Cathedral
against the dangers that lay ahead.
Water tanks were installed on the roof, and trap doors were cut to allow for the hoses that would be needed to put out fires. Windows in several of the Cathedral’s chapels were blacked out to prevent enemy bombers finding their target.
The tombs of Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington were among the historic features that were bricked up to protect them from bomb damage. Other treasures were sent to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth for safekeeping.」
「King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother leaving the Cathedral after a VE Day service. They are flanked by two lines of volunteers from the Watch. The Dean can be seen at the foot of the stair.」
「‘From this dark period, St Paul’s Cathedral has emerged greater than ever. Amidst surrounding ruin and devastation reaching to its very walls the beautiful Dome has continued to dominate London, a daily inspiration to thousands of its suffering citizens and a symbol of hope throughout the world.’
⑥Dean W.R. Matthews(セント・ポール大聖堂の学長)による1946年の回想 「…one of our comrades expressed the opinion that St Paul’s Watch was ‘the best club in London’ and I doubt not that many of us will forget what a bursting bomb sounds like long before we forget the cheerful fellowship we enjoyed.”
Dr. Carlyle Thornton Potter(カーライル・ソーントン・ポッター博士)を紹介する展示。
「DR CARLYLE THORNTON POTTER Christian physician Carlyle Potter was a close neighbour of St Paul’s Cathedral. During World War II he helped to protect St Paul’s Cathedral when it was under threat as a member of St Paul’s Watch.
He worked at various London hospitals and joined the Watch to supplement the quota of 40 to 50 men required to guard St Paul’s. In the crypt, they formed a small medical unit, and Potter was one of the medical men giving emergency first aid, supported by Miss Jessie Jacob, a hospital dispenser.
Dr Potter had a lifelong illness with angina but carried on without fuss. His bravery and constant cheerful reliability also endeared him to his fellow Watch members. He showed great courage, continuing to serve for many years.」
Sapper George Wylie was among the first to be awarded the George Cross, a medal recognizing acts of bravery by civilians as well as military personnel.
Together with Lieutenant Robert Davies and four other Royal Engineers, George helped save St Paul’s from an unexploded bomb. On 12 September 1940, a one-ton bomb struck near the Cathedral’s west end, also breaking a gas main.
For three days, George’s team carefully worked to dig out the bomb, eventually reaching it 27 feet underground. The bomb was winched to the surface and transported to Hackney Marshes, where it was safely detonated.
After their success, Canon Cockin of St Paul’s treated the team to a hearty lunch in gratitude for their dangerous but vital work.」
文学・芸術の分野からセント・ポールを守った人という位置づけの人物と。 「Sir John Betjeman CBE
One of the volunteers for the Watch was the renowned poet, writer, and broadcaster John Betjeman.
As an architectural critic and enthusiast, Betjeman deeply admired the design and historical importance of St Paul’s Cathedral. In his writings, he often celebrated the Cathedral as a symbol of London’s endurance and architectural legacy.
His efforts to help protect St Paul’s during the war reflected his lifelong commitment to preserving Britain’s historic buildings. He later became a leading campaigner for saving Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
Betjeman devoted much of his life to promoting the Cathedral’s history, increasing public awareness, and strengthening appreciation for St Paul’s and other landmarks.
His contributions were recognised when he was named Poet Laureate in 1972, a role he held until his death.」
Elfreda Audsley was a gifted writer and illustrator, best known for her children’s book Quick Quack (1931). Born and raised in London, she was working as a part-time journalist when the Second World War began.
At first, she volunteered as an Air Raid Warden in Eltham. By 1943, however, she had moved to Kensington and joined the St Paul’s Watch as part of its first aid team.
After the war, Elfreda played a key role in founding the “Friends of St Paul’s” group, which developed from the close relationships built among members of the Watch. Since its establishment, the Friends have contributed greatly to the preservation, life, and wellbeing of St Paul’s Cathedral.」
戦後、彼女は「フレンズ・オブ・セント・ポールズ(Friends of St Paul’s)」という団体の 設立に尽力しました。これは、監視隊のメンバーたちの間で築かれた強い絆から生まれたもので、 この団体は創設以来70年以上にわたり、セント・ポール大聖堂の保存や活動、福祉に大きな 貢献を果たしてきました。】
「WALTER GODFREY ALLEN
No one had a better understanding of the complex layout of St Paul’s Cathedral than Architect and Surveyor, Godfrey Allen. He was an automatic choice to replace the popular Commander of the newly-formed Watch, at an emergency meeting held in April 1941.
Godfrey had dedicated himself to protecting the Cathedral, and his determination earned him the nickname ‘the Terrier’.
He calmly took charge, organizing the Watch like a military unit, although a health problem soon after kept him from patrolling at the same intensity.
One of the founding members of the Friends, Godfrey retired in 1956 after almost 30 years’ service to St Paul’s. When he died in 1961, aged 65, a memorial was unveiled at the Cathedral in his honour.」
「フレンズ・オブ・セント・ポールズ(Friends of St Paul’s)」の創設メンバーの一人でも あったアレンは、約30年の奉仕の後、1956年に引退しました。1961年に65歳で亡くなった 際には、その功績を称えて大聖堂に記念碑が建立されました。】
W.R. Matthews 教 dean。 「Dean of St Paul’s from 1934 to 1967.
A progressive character who had reorganised life at St Paul’s into a vibrant centre of activity by the time war broke out.
Very much hands on during the Blitz, working alongside Watch volunteers, tackling fires and fostering community spirit.
His book St Paul’s Cathedral in Wartime 1939–1945 provides one of the most vivid accounts of life on The Watch.
After the war, Dean Matthews was a pivotal figure in establishing the Friends of St Paul’s and served as Chair of the Friends until he retired in 1967.」