Mortuary van

Object

Model

Production date

1939 = 1945

Object number

1992.263

Physical Description

This model of a mortuary van was carved from balsa wood by T.E. Browne, a member of the Clapton Air Raid Precautions (ARP) in Hackney. Some members of the ARP worked as Ambulance Attendants, working after air raids to search for survivors, give first aid and in the worst cases, help remove bodies from the rubble. The mortuary van would have been a familiar sight to these workers.

Object history

During the Second World War (1939-1945), Thomas E. Browne was an Air Raid Precautions (ARP) warden for his local area in Clapton. He made these ARP models to help train his fellow wardens on attending bombing incidents and supporting casualties. Their ARP unit was Post 14 which covered the area around the Clapton side of Lea Bridge Road.

Associated Person

Thomas Edward Browne (Made by)

Associated Place

Clapton (Place)

Material

Balsa

Dimension

height (whole): 35mm
width (whole): 65mm
depth (whole): 24mm