|
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: October 14th 1940
|
|
FIRE WATCHER AND PATROL DUTIES AT HEAD OFFICE
|
The duties above referred to are undertaken voluntarily by male members of the staff working in pairs by rota. Two men have been specially
engaged for night duties from 8pm to 8am on each night of the week, except Wednesday. Wednesday night duty is taken by the permanent
staff on rota.
Local Defence Volunteers are granted, by the Army Authorities, a meal allowance of 3/-d per head for each period
of duty exceeding 10 hours, or 1/6d per head for each period of duty of more than 5 hours but not exceeding 10 hours. The Finance
Committee and Emergency Committee have decided that a tea allowance of 1/-d shall be paid to Volunteers on duty at the Council House
from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, or 6:30pm to 8:30pm, plus travelling expenses.
The Chairman (Alderman Barrow) directed that the Fire Watcher and Patrol parties at the Bank should be paid a meal allowance as follows, from the 23rd September 1940:
hours s. d. Sunday 8am
to 2pm 6 1. 6. " 2pm to 8pm 6 1. 6. Monday 4pm to 8pm 4 1. 0. Tuesday 4pm to 8pm 4 1. 0. Wednesday 4pm to 8pm 4 1. 0. " 8pm to 6am (Thursday) 10 3. 0. Thursday 6am to 8am 2 1. 0. " 1:30pm
to 8pm 6½ 1. 6. Friday 4pm to 8pm 4 1. 0 . Saturday 5:30pm to 8pm 2½ 1. 0.
As regards
travelling expenses, the Chairman and General Manager think the cases will be met by paying such expenses from Branch to Head Office
and return for each day except Sunday, and that for Sunday duty the travelling expenses should be from home to Head Office, and return.
October 8th 1940
|
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: October 14th 1940
|
|
WAR DAMAGE TO BANK BUILDINGS
|
Damage has been caused to the undermentioned Bank buildings:
|
Hay Mills Branch |
August 15 - 16 |
|
Stechford Branch |
August 15 - 16 |
|
Pype
Hayes Branch |
August 26 |
|
Bordesley Green Branch |
August 26 - 27 |
|
Pype Hayes Branch |
September 3 |
With the aid of torches, I satisfied
myself that no material damage had been done to the Bank premises, and left Stechford at 4:30am.
At 9 o'clock I visited Stechford
with Mr Hunt, and instructed him to effect necessary repair to broken windows, tiles on roof, guttering, etc, which were done that
day at a cost of £11. 3. 4d.
I proceeded to Hay Mills Branch, where the damage was slight, and gave Mr Hunt instructions to effect
the necessary repairs, which were also done that day at a cost of £11. 19. 0d.
The damage to Pype Hayes Branch on the first occasion
was very slight, only a few tiles being dislodged. I instructed Mr Wilde to deal with the matter.
In company with Mr Wilde, I
visited Bordesley Green Branch at 9 o'clock in the morning of August 27th, and I found the damage serious. Numerous cracks are in
a ceiling and on the walls of the Bank premises; the mess room outer wall was demolished, and part of the WC accommodation. The strong
room was unaffected, although the effect of the explosion on the walls has made it impossible to open the door to its full capacity.
The back portion of the flat, including the staircase approach to the flat, has been rendered useless. The chimney stacks being in
a dangerous state, I instructed Mr Wilde to have them removed and the debris cleared, and this part of the premises temporarily secured.
I was satisfied that business could be safely carried on in the Bank premises, and the normal hours of business have been in operation.
I subsequently directed Mr Wilde to confer with Mr Surman (Architect), and report to me the work necessary to restore the Bank and
flat to its former condition. I await report with estimate of cost. The tenant of the flat (Mr Thompson - Dentist) has made temporary
private arrangements, but cannot gain access to his furniture and belongings at present. Steps are being taken to have the rooms cleared,
and the furniture, etc, removed to suit the Tenant's wishes.
The second damage to Pype Hayes Branch was due to the explosion
of a delayed action bomb. The damage involved the replacement of a few tiles and one broken window. Mr Hunt has been instructed to
deal with the window, and Mr Wilde is attending to the roof.
Owing to several delayed action bombs in the vicinity of the Birchfield
Branch, the Police required the premises to be closed on Monday, the 26th August, at mid-day. Arrangements were made to transfer the
business of the Bank to Aston until Friday, the 6th September, when business was resumed at Birchfield.
J P Hilton
September 9th 1940.
|
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: December 9th 1940
|
|
WAR DAMAGE TO BANK BUILDINGS - SECOND REPORT
|
Damage has been caused to the undermentioned Bank buildings:
|
Balsall Heath Branch |
October 15th - 16th |
|
Aston Cross Branch |
October
18th - 19th |
|
Duddeston Branch |
October 18th - 19th |
|
Sparkhill Branch |
October 18th |
|
Sparkbrook Branch |
October 18th |
At
9am on the 16th October, on arriving at the Balsall Heath Branch, our Manager was informed by the Police that an unexploded bomb had
dropped through the party entry during the night and that it was desirable not to use the Branch. Steps were immediately taken to
remove the cash and books to Moseley Branch and for the business of Balsall Heath Branch to be conducted thereat until was safe to
return to Balsall Heath. At mid-day on Friday, the 18th October, the Police notified me that the unexploded bomb had been removed,
and the re-transfer of cash and books was effected and business recommenced at Balsall Heath on Saturday, the 19th October.
Water
from drains was entering the cellar of the adjoining Grocer's shop and Mr Wilde was asked to investigate. He reported that the bomb
had come through the party entry and penetrated at right angles into the cellar of the Grocer's shop, causing a cavity 15t deep into
which drain water was running. The Bank building appeared to be fully safe, but Mr Wilde thought it necessary to instruct Messrs W
and J Webb to immediately "shore up" where necessary, and deal with the drains. The entry is a party one, and, as a result of getting
in touch with the owner of the adjoining property, agreement has been reached with regard to Bank repairs which are necessary, and
the adjoining owner has signified her willingness to join in the expenses of making good the damage.
Aston Cross Branch.
I
visited Aston Cross Branch at 9:30am on Saturday, the 19th October, in company with Mr Wilde, and found that as a result of the explosion
of a bomb in the main road near to the Bank several windows at the front of the building were broken. I gave instructions to Messrs
R Hunt and Son to make the windows secure, and this was done during the course of the day. Slight damage to the roof has been caused
by an incendiary bomb, and Mr A J Handscomb has been instructed to do the necessary repairs.
Duddeston Branch.
I then went
to Duddeston, in company with Mr Wilde, and found the area roped off for delayed action bombs. The Police were reluctant to give permission
for the Bank to be entered, but I considered it desirable to act quickly and get the books, etc away. With Mr Wilde I entered the
premises and got all ready to move to Nechells Branch. Mr Carver then arrived with a staff, and in five minutes the removal was effected
and the premises locked up. I instructed Messrs R Hunt and Son to deal with the windows as soon as possible, and to "stand by" during
the weekend so that at the first opportunity the repairs could be effected. On Monday morning, October 21st, we were informed that
the bombs had been removed, and Messrs Hunt immediately proceeded to deal with the windows. Steps were then taken to have the
cash and books re-transferred from Nechells and business was again conducted at Duddeston. No other damage appears to have been done
to the Bank premises.
Sparkhill Branch.
The damage done to these premises was very small and only concerned the dislodgement
of one or two slates from Bank roof. Mr Wilde has been asked to have the necessary repairs effected.
Sparkbrook Branch.
Some
passers-by in the street noticed an incendiary bomb strike the roof of Sparkbrook Branch, and, being anxious to prevent a fire, they
tried to gain access by forcing the door, using an axe for the purpose. The door would not give way, but another passer-by explained
that the entrance to the flat was at the side of the premises and not at the front. People who were eager to help borrowed a stirrup
pump from the Post Office nearby and acquainted the tenants of the flat of the presence of the incendiary bomb. The bomb was found
burning in the attic front room. A chain of people was arranged to pass water up the attic staircase to feed the stirrup pump, with
the result the fire was extinguished in very short time. The front window of the attic was damaged and the glass broken to allow smoke
and fumes to escape. The tenant and his family had heard a noise, but after an inspection of their rooms, excluding the attic, they
came to the conclusion that nothing had happened. There was a hole the size of an ordinary slate, in the roof and a small skylight
window was broken. There was also a hole in the attic ceiling and the lower half of the attic window was broken, Several feet of floor
boards had been burned. The ceiling of the rooms below on the first floor show damp patches due to water from the stirrup pump, but
these will no doubt dry out. Messrs Hunt and Son have been instructed to make good the markings on the Bank door, and Mr Wilde has
been asked to deal with other necessary repairs. The tenant has been cautioned about storing furniture in his attic.
J P Hilton.
|
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES SUB-COMMITTEE: December 9th 1940
|
|
WAR DAMAGE TO BANK BUILDINGS - THIRD REPORT
|
Damage has been caused to the undermentioned Bank buildings:
|
Horse Fair Branch |
October 24th |
|
Head Offices |
October 24th |
|
Lozells Branch |
October
24th |
Horse Fair Branch.
A bomb exploded across the street and resulted in 26 panes of glass in the lay-light being broken
by falling debris. The Police and ARP personnel had hacked away half the entry door to gain admission to put out incendiary bombs
which had fallen on the roof. A large number of tiles were broken on the roof, the guttering was chipped, and a small area of flashing
damaged. Several windows were broken in the premises occupied by tenants and a slate on their roof damaged. The interior of the Bank
was protected by ply-board, which had been fixed underneath the lay-light, with the result that glass did not fall into the Bank.
Messrs R Hunt and Son were instructed to effect repairs to windows, lay-light and door, and Mr Wilde was asked to deal with the roof.
Head
Offices.
The explosion of bombs in Broad Street and Bridge Street resulted in considerable damage. I received a telephone message
from the Caretaker at 9:30pm on Friday, October 25th, but owing to the prevalence of bombing telephonic conversation had to be cut
short. At 10:30pm I again heard from the Caretaker particulars of the damage and decided to inspect. I requested Mr Carver to accompany
me. He came to my house but had to take shelter owing to further raids. On two occasions we attempted to set off for town, but
had to return for shelter. We were, however, able to leave my house at 12:55am. On arriving at Aston Cross we were diverted from the
main road owing to a delayed action bomb having exploded not far from our Aston Cross premises. I looked over the premises from the
outside but could not see any sign of damage.
On arrival at Head Office I found glass scattered all over the place. A shattered
motor car was on the grass plot at the side of the Bank, and I was told that the occupants and other persons on the street were killed
outright, when the bomb exploded in Broad Street. I gave telephonic instructions to Messrs Ellison, Parsonage, Taylor and Cheatle
to be at Head Office at 7:30am to assist in getting the rooms etc in order, and Mr Carver was asked to call at Mr Hunt's house and
instruct him to have men at Head Office early in the morning to proceed with temporary repairs, so that business could be carried
on as usual.
The stone front of the Bank has been damaged; double entrance door damaged at foot; bronze entrance revolving door
damaged; all glass windows at the front of the building blown inside; all windows on all floors on the staff entrance side broken,
and many frames damaged; one window on Car Park side broken; all windows on Accounts Office side blown in or broken; glass roof over
rooms on the ground floor broken in many places; Committee Room door broken at foot; all windows in Committee Room and some in Caretakers'
quarters and Staff kitchen either blown in or broken; all down lights on top of building broken, despite the wood coverings which
were undamaged; the whole flood lighting at front of Bank blown out; a few windows in Assembly Hall broken. The glass roof of the
Banking Hall escaped damage.
Mr Wilde was called in, and instructions were given to Messrs R Hunt and Son and Messrs W and J
Webb to make premises weather proof, and this work was continued from Saturday morning until Tuesday morning. Mr Howitt, Architect,
was asked to inspect the damage and give his recommendations. He attended on Monday, the 28th October, and after touring the building
with Mr Pearce of Messrs Pearce and Cutler, he gave certain directions for temporarily glazing some of the windows, and promised to
consider and report further to me on other matters.
Lozells Branch.
Mr Taylor visited the Bank at 10:30 on Sunday morning,
October 27th, and found four windows broken as the result of bomb explosion near Villa Cross. Messrs R Hunt and Son were requested
to effect temporary repairs, which were done during the day.
J P Hilton.