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Trenches in Ardwick Green Park, 1940

Following the declaration of war in September 1939, the very first job of the 8th Ardwick Battalion (Manchester Regiment) was to destroy the much-prized Ardwick Green Park. Sufficient trenches had to be dug to shelter the whole unit against expected air attacks. Eight-foot trenches were dug, revetted and roofed, the whole work being completed within a week. Between times men drew their kits, and platoons and companies their stores. Schools and church halls in the vicinity were requisitioned to supply shelter and feeding of the soldiers was done in the nearby Co-operative hall. Another defensive feature put into place were huge barrage balloons tethered by cables to concrete blocks and used to deter low flying attacks.