LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In Search of Civil Defence
Sta,—When I renewed my driving licence this year, I received from the L.C.C. an appeal to volunteer for Civil Defence. Seeing that I am only fifty-two, and finding that no one else required my services in the event of war, I volunteered.
The L.C.C. replied that I ought not to have volunteered to them, although I live in the L.C.C. Area, but that I should submit my application to the Surrey County Council. Being accustomed to obey orders, I wrote out another application to the Surrey County Council. In due course I received a reply from the Metropolitan Borough of Fulham which began, " The Surrey County Council have communi- cated with me regarding your enrolment in the Civil Defence Corps which was sent to them in error." I let that pass and in due course I was enrolled on May 1st in the County of London [sic] Division of the Civil Defence Corps.
I thought things would now begin to move. They did. A month later I received a kind invitation from the Town Clerk td the opening night of the Civil Defence Social Club, which another more pressing engagement compelled me to decline. In July I received a further • invitation, this time to a coach outing and to a cinema show. As this clashed with my well-earned holiday, I again had to decline with regret. This month I received a further batch of invitations. Now all this is very kind of the Town Clerk of Fulham Borough Council, but I strongly suspect that all this involves a considerable amount of the taxpayer's or ratepayer's money, and, as you will notice, not one word has yet been said about my training in my duties or attending any parades except a Church parade. This time I have again declined the kind invitations but I have included my own resignation as well, since I cannot see myself in the role of aide-de-
camp to Nero.—Yours faithfully, . D. J. WILSON-HAFFENDEN,
Major-General.
147 Rivermead Court, S.W.6.
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