Air Raid Prevention Wardens, or ARP wardens, played a vital part in Britain's defence during the Second World War. The work they undertook in London and other large cities is well documented. Here is a group of Starkholmes men and women, taken by local photographer Harry Gill, who volunteered for the scheme that was set up in 1937. They had wide ranging responsibilities apart from watching for aircraft and assessing post bombing damage. For example, wardens would have been responsible for checking that houses were properly "blacked out", with no lights showing to help enemy aircraft on bombing raids. They would also have distributed gas masks and shelters. Many of them had full time employment as well.

Standing - from the left:
Unknown | Beatrice (Beattie) Statham | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Arthur Whittaker | Unknown | Unknown | Mrs. Amelia Statham (nee Tonge and mother of Frank and Beattie, who are also on this photograph)

Bottom row, seated - from the left:
Frank Statham | Harold Fletcher (Head Warden for the Matlock District) | Unknown | Unknown

The Statham family are shown in the 1901 census transcripts
There is onsite information about the War Memorials and the Names of Starkholmes War Memorial. Also see WW2 casualties

Please email the webmistress if you can identify any of the other people or provide an exact date. Thank you :-)