Old Caves Used in Air Raids

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 85, 12 April 1939, Page 2

Old Caves Used in Air Raids

A scheme to construct an evacuation camp to house some thousands of Londoners in time of war at Godstone, Surrey, with underground shelters in the neighbouring Godstone caves, has been submitted to the Home Office by the Caterham A.R.P. committee, states the Daily Telegraph. Godstone quarries, known locally as the caves, consist of a labyrinth of underground galleries, from which, at one time, the famous Godstone grey stone used in some of London’s oldest buildings was quarried. The subterranean passages which are thought to be about eight miles in length, are from 80 to 200 ft. below the surface. ‘ They are now being explored and charted.

A plan of the passages known to exist is already in the hands of the Home Office. Several underground springs have also been found, and the water has been analysed and passed as fit for drinking.

Four entrances to the caves exist, and the exits from the camp will be built near them. So far no other entrances have been found, but there is a local legend that an entrance exists in Caterham, over one and a-half miles from Godstone. Tho caves are covered with trees, which would mako a perfect natural camouflage against aircraft, and experts consider that the caves would provide

complete protection against the heaviest bombs known.

Major E. H. Impey, A.R.P. officer for Caterham, said: “Home Office experts have already inspected the caves, they are keenly interested in our scheme, and arc giving it their very careful consideration. We arc hard at work trying to locate other entrances.”