History

Inception

Casualties Union was founded by Eric Claxton on 22 November 1942.

Casualties Union evolved from the Surrey County Civil Defence Rescue School (SCCDRS), which was set up in 1940 to aid rescue operations after Word War II bombings. The SCCDRS occupied ideal training premises at the bombed site of St Andrew's Convent School, Leatherhead and from the outset was very realistic in its approach to rescue training. This earned it the nick-name "Battle School for Civil Defence", as live casualties were always used, dummies were not allowed.

In early 1942 rescue operations were looked upon as unskilled pick and shovel work, just digging out bodies from piles of rubble. To counteract this, a course was set up for Local Authority Rescue Services where acting, made-up casualties were introduced to demonstrate as vividly as possible the need for skill in reaching injured people, assessing and tending to their wounds and handling them considerately, but with sufficient firmness.

In November 1942, it was decided to offer the opportunity of training as a casualty to the Surrey Civil Defence Service. Some 350 attended the inaugural meeting, 120 of whom became involved in the birth of Casualties Union.

Early the following year the SCCDRS took over training Civil Defence Rescue Leaders from neighbouring counties, as well as military personnel from both the British and Canadian armies.

In early 1944, the SCCDRS moved exclusively to training members of the Allied Armies.

Post World War II

During the war all members of Casualties Union were also members of the Civil Defence, but after the dissolution of the Civil Defence and subsequently the SCCDRS in 1945 the necessity of Casualties Union came into question. However, medical advisers urged Casualties Union to continue in order to serve the needs of peace-time first aid training. A number of members at this time looked upon casualty duties as simply part of their war-time Civil Defence work, and left when the Civil Defence was disbanded. However, this left a dedicated nucleus of about 100 volunteers who continued to develop make-up and acting techniques for use in peace-time first-aid training.

It was no easy task to project the concept of Casualties Union among the voluntary aid societies in a country where all were weary with the privations of wartime conditions. But the idea had been born and was cherished by those who had made it their special care. The principles of training the acting/reacting casualty needed to be carried forward and a satisfactory method was devised. It was, and still is, essential that the standards of realism established at its foundation should mark the continuing development of Casualties Union.

Modern Casualties Union

Today, Casualties Union works in a diverse range of situations with a variety of civilian, government and military organisations. We also undertake occasional film work; a number of our members going on to forge careers in the Film and Television industry.

The most modern aspect of our work has been the introduction of large scale terrorist attack scenarios. Typically these exercises involve multiple agencies working together responding to a particular scenario and can involve decontamination procedures, the establishment of temporary mortuaries and mass evacuations.

Funding

Casualties Union depends for its funds on the financial support given by its members, friends and organizations that use its services. Funds are spent on training, dissemination of information and research into casualty simulation techniques.

If you would like to help us maintain our high standards by making a donation please contact Headquarters.