Another snippet mentioning Baston, which is an interesting piece in its own right regarding the threat of a new war in 1939:
Morpeth Herald 26 May 1939
FIRE - PUMP IN AMBLE PARADE
MACHINE GUNS IN CINEMA ENTRANCE
RALLY FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
GENERAL SAYS: "'STAND UP TO BULLIES."
Amble staged a successful National Service Parade on Friday night, when local Territorial and A.R.P. workers marched through the town to the Coquet Hall cinema to see the A.R.P. film "The Warning."
Amongst those taking part in the parade were the members of Amble's Auxiliary Fire service, who, as reported last week, are now up to strength and fully trained. They pulled with them their trailer fire-pump, and another feature of the evening consisted of two Vickers machine guns, with crews, mounted in the vestibule.
Councillor R. Brown, chief A.R.P. control officer for Amble, marshalled the parade, which formed up at the Drill Hall, and marched through the principal streets of the town to the cinema.
IN THE PARADE
The parade was headed by the Amble Military Band, under Bandmaster C. Gillon. The local detachment of the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers—including n large number of newly-joined recruits in "civvies" were commanded by 2nd. Lieut. Beckingham. Councillor Brown was in charge of the A.R.P. workers, who included wardens (under Chief Warden Roy), A.F.S., and other squads. The local detachment of the British Red Cross were present under their commandant Mrs. W. Ballantyne; the 1st and 2nd Amble Companies Boys' Brigade under Capt. D. Kay and Lieut. Dixon.
Several members and officials of the Amble council headed the A.R.P. section, including the chairman (Councillor A. E. Green), the clerk (Mr. C. J. S. Goodger), and the medical officer (Dr. J. A. Loughridge). At the Coquet Hall those taking part in the parade were admitted free by kindness of the proprietors and the manager. Mr. D. Baston, to see the very graphic A.R.P. film “The Warning.”
Before the showing of the film an address was given by Major General Sir Clement Milward, Alnwick.
Councillor Green, who presided, and introduced General Milward, said that there were still many branches of A.R.P. work to be filled before they could say that they were in a satisfactory position so far as civil defence was concerned.
"To those who have already given their services, I say thank you; with those unable to give their services, I sympathise; to those who have treated the appeal with indifference, I say don’t laugh at those who have joined."…………….
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