Pen shelters, corner of Wanchai Road & QRE [c.1941-c.1945]
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Submitted by David on Mon, 2018-05-07 11:02
Current condition:
Demolished / No longer exists
Date Place completed:
c.1941-01-01 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)
Date Place demolished:
c.1945-12-31 (Year, Month, Day are approximate)
AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS IN HONG KONG, 1941 © IWM (KF 112)
Location identified by Ashley: https://gwulo.com/comment/44173#comment-44173
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Comments
Re: Pen Shelters
Well done on the identification. Except for the pen shelters at Bowrington Canal and Southorn Plaground, it is interesting to note that the erection and location of other pen shelters was not given wide prominence in the papers of the day. More information was provided on the construction of air raid tunnels. I imagine other open areas, parks and playgrounds may have had pen shelters constructed.
Adaptive Use of the Pen Shelters near Wanchai Market
Interesting to note that the concrete ARP pen shelters erected at the site next to the Wanchai Market could be adapted for use as market stalls as well as shelters. According to Wing-Cmdr Steele-Perkins, "no constructional strength was lost and further pens in congested areas would be constructed on similar lines." Hong Kong Telegraph 6 December 1940 refers.
An update in the Hong Kong Sunday Herald dated 8 December 1940 mentioned the pen shelters may be converted into market stalls once they have served their original purpose of protecting the public in air raids while others may be designed for possible use for street-sleepers.