IN CHALK CAVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 7

IN CHALK CAVES

WHERE PEOPLE OF KENT SLEEP (From a Special Correspondent) LONDON, sth October. Ancient Britons lived in caves; some modern Britons are following their example, at least for part of their lives. Every night nearly 2000 men, women and children journey from South East London and other raided areas td sleep—immune from German planes and the noise of bombs and guns—in four miles of chalk caves in Kent. They sleep in their clothes and their “bedrooms” are more than 40 semi-circular chambers and a labyrinth of galleries in which they pitch camp beds and mattresses. “Lights Out” is at 11 p.m. The underground world begins to stir again soon after 5 a.m. when breakfasts are made. Then the people move off to their homes and businesses again. They will be back at nightfall. Describing his experiences one “cave-dweller” said this week: “I arrived last night before darkness had fallen and watched the trek into the caves. Bundles of bedding, rugs, deck chairs, stoves, even hard kitchen chairs and cooking utensils were brought along. Mothers pushed prams. People arrived in every sort of conveyance, and for more than an hour they poured through the bottle-neck entrance. One family squatted outside for an evening meal. “Our bed spaces are allotted to us,” said the father, “so we have the same one every night. We have three canteens inside and even a Red Cross nurse attends in case of sickness. Members of the Home Guard protect us.” I went inside. Small electric lights lit up the walls, candles burned in the necks of bottles. It was supper-time. A man was sitting at a box ‘table’ eating a meal of pork pie arid tomatoes. Near him was a woman frying bacon on an oil-stove.”