On Saturday morning, in Bushey High Street, tear gas was released in a test exercise for civilians.
Prior to the release of the gas, few pedestrians seemed to have masks with them. But as soon as the rattles sounded, respirators were produced from shopping baskets and, it seemed, even out of the air itself.
Omnibuses stopped before entering the contamination area, drivers and conductors putting on their respirators before continuing.
[From the Watford Observer of September 12, 1941]
For more on this story, and a previous tear gas experiment in Watford - including a picture - see this week's Watford Observer, on sale today priced just 90p
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