As war in Europe loomed in 1938, the Anderson shelter was designed to offer UK householders rudimentary protection during air raids.
By the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, Anderson shelters had been installed in the gardens of around 1.5 million houses in the areas most expected to be targeted by the Luftwaffe. A further 2.1 million were installed over the course of the war.
Of those 3.6 million shelters, just a handful remain in place today. This site contains information them, together with information about the history, design and construction of the Anderson shelter.
[This site is currently undergoing reconstruction in order to improve navigation and to bring together relevant information. Please check again in a day or two if the information you need is not immediately available.]
Please follow these links to access lots of interesting advice and information:
History: Why were Anderson shelters erected – and when and where?
Reminiscences: The thoughts and memories of those who used the shelters
Design and Construction: Why were the shelters so strong?
Construction Instructions: Home Office “Directions for the Erection and Sinking of the Galvanised Corrugated Steel Shelter”
How to Repair and Rebuild Your Shelter
WW2 Bomb Shelters: Anderson, Morrison, Wilmot etc.
Anderson Shelters:- Examples
Manufacturers’ Marks – UK
Manufacturers’ Marks – Overseas