Surrey County Civil Defence Rescue School (SCCDRS)
- Date:
- 1940-1984
- Reference:
- SA/CAS/A
- Part of:
- Casualties Union
- Archives and manuscripts
Collection contents
About this work
Description
Comprises records concerning the training provided by the Surrey County Civil Defence Rescue School (SCCDRS), including Claxton's time in Eindhoven, along with records concerning the early years of Casualties Union, whilst it was still part of the SCCDRS. Records primarily focused on the work of Casualties Union, rather than its relationship to the SCCDRS, are in SA/CAS/C.
A few files are prefixed with a number. These form part of an incomplete numbered filing system used by Casualties Union in the 1940s.
The majority of papers date from 1940-1945, with one paper dated from 1984.
Publication/Creation
1940-1984
Physical description
2 boxes, 39 photographs
Biographical note
Casualties Union evolved from the Surrey County Civil Defence Rescue School (SCCDRS), which occupied training premises at the bombed site of St Andrew's Convent School, Leatherhead. It was set up in 1940 to aid rescue operations after World War II bombings.
Initially, the training primarily focused on navigation and excavation, with trainees given only basic first aid training. Eric Claxton provided much of the training and soon developed it so as to include the skills required in dealing with casualties: assessing and tending to wounds; handling people considerately, including dealing with their distress; and removing casualties from wreckage without exacerbating their injuries. Claxton introduced real people to act as casualties, to demonstrate as vividly as possible the need for the skills he was teaching.
Casualties Union was formed from this group of volunteer casualties. Initially all members of Casualties Union were members of the SCCDRS.
In 1943 the SCCDRS took over the training of Civil Defence Rescue Leaders from neighbouring counties, as well as military personnel from the Allied Armies. In November 1944 Claxton was seconded to the British Second Army for service in Holland (in Eindhoven) training British, Canadian, American and Dutch armed forces and civil defence members.
The SCCDRS was wound down at the end of the war, but Casualties Union continued as an independent voluntary organisation.
Initially, the training primarily focused on navigation and excavation, with trainees given only basic first aid training. Eric Claxton provided much of the training and soon developed it so as to include the skills required in dealing with casualties: assessing and tending to wounds; handling people considerately, including dealing with their distress; and removing casualties from wreckage without exacerbating their injuries. Claxton introduced real people to act as casualties, to demonstrate as vividly as possible the need for the skills he was teaching.
Casualties Union was formed from this group of volunteer casualties. Initially all members of Casualties Union were members of the SCCDRS.
In 1943 the SCCDRS took over the training of Civil Defence Rescue Leaders from neighbouring counties, as well as military personnel from the Allied Armies. In November 1944 Claxton was seconded to the British Second Army for service in Holland (in Eindhoven) training British, Canadian, American and Dutch armed forces and civil defence members.
The SCCDRS was wound down at the end of the war, but Casualties Union continued as an independent voluntary organisation.