Amateur historian attempts to rebuild an Anderson shelter (From Sutton Guardian)

Amateur historian attempts to rebuild Second World War Anderson shelter

4:00pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

The manager of Robert Dyas in Sutton wants help in his quest to restore an Anderson shelter.

Tony Lewis, 51, from Biggin Hill, is asking people to drop into the shop or to give him a call if they think they can help with his mission.

An Anderson shelter is a small prefabricated air-raid shelter used in the Second World War. They consist of an arch of corrugated metal and are designed to be partly buried in people's gardens and covered with earth for protection.

Mr Lewis said: "I’m interested in history and I’m interested in anything to do with the Second World War.

"I was digging in the garden and I found some corrugated iron and a spanner.

"It was just so big I could not dig it out. My wife said that’s enough you can’t dig anymore – and I put it all back again.

"I was looking on the internet and found how to put an Anderson Shelter back together.

"I got thinking how many are still left in use."

With some help from his friend Dave and his children Mr Lewis has set about re-creating an Anderson shelter.

They have so far acquired a complete Anderson shelter and intend to rebuild it however - it is in poor condition.

More than 70 years in the ground has not been kind to the structure and they still need two more roof panels.

When complete school children will be able visit the shelter which will be reconstructed in the Bromley area.

Mr Lewis added that they would not charge people for removing pieces of shelter.

If you have any parts to donate to the project - pop into see Mr Lewis at Robert Dyas or call 0791 741 8997.

To follow Mr Lewis’ progress visit bigginhill-history.co.uk.