大象传媒

The Group HQ for No27 Group was in the basement of the Old County Council Offices on the south east side of the square. The Group Commander for No 27 Group was Harry Gornall an electrical installation contractor with offices in Mardol. His deputy was H. H. Houghton who was my headmaster at the Priory. One of the operational supervisors was Walter Lloyd the senior geography master.

During the summer holidays in 1940, myself and six other boys had the task of copying the location of the Observer Corps posts on the Ordnance Survey Maps which were then trimmed and joined together to form the plotting table in the basement of the old County Buildings.

The nearest of the observation posts was L2 at Hadnall, L1 was at Nesscliffe and L3 at Prees Heath. My father who had served in the First World War in the Coldstream Guards was deputy Controller at L1 and the Village School Master, Mr Worth was Controller. I was on the post when the Lancaster Squadron (The Dam Busters) flew overhead on their way to practise on a North Wales reservoir.

This story was submitted to the People鈥檚 War site by Becky Barugh of the 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire CSV Action Desk on behalf of Thomas M. Needham and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Needham fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

See more of Mr Needham's stories:

• Allscott Sugar Beet Factory Raid
• Evacuation of Schoolchildren from Urban Areas - 1939

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.