Not only did the men of Hull give their time to their own city, they also gave it to London . In 1944 the wardens in London had been under such duress and all annual leave had been cancelled. A call was made for assistance from other cities and Hull , having great experience, stepped forward. Some went for just a few weeks, other went until their services were no longer needed.
In the records of the Warden Service, I have found copies of letters written by some of the men who went to London sent to members of the Warden Service back in Hull , letting them know how things were. One of the biggest causes of excitement seems to be the food allowances!
J Longford, 19 August
“We arrived at our Depot about 5-10pm and after a clean up we were directed to the recreation hall where a long table was set out with plenty of plates full of tomatoes, cold potatoes, Russian Salad, and a liberal supply of ham, with a pudding to follow. The Chief Warden was there, but like a sensible fellow he said tuck in and I will formally welcome you after the meal.”
On 20 August, he goes on to write,
“We were told that we obtain our tea at the Post, and supper at approx 8-30pm. at the Depot. Mark those words well my noble William, those four words TEA AT THE POST. I was mystified about this, but boy did I get a shock. My co-full timer said ‘What would you like for tea?’ Well, being a polite sort of cove I gave a conventional reply, of I’ll have what you say. Well, he got the tea ready. A tin of salmon between the two of us, (it could have been tinned meat, sardines, herrings, corned beef) plenty of bread and margarine, jam and a slab of fruit cake which would not have gone in my haversack. Of course I had been told during the morning that all posts were supplied with rations, but boy what rations.”
F. E. Baskerville, 20 August
“I have a permit for 1½ lbs. of tea, 3 lbs. of sugar and 20 pints of milk per week. The Police Inspector, who is also the Chief Warden, gets this for me and I settle with him every Saturday. We have an electric boiler in our billet and so we can make a cup of tea any time we like. We have been issued with three teapots.”