Historical information

Galvanised toilet buckets (dunny cans) were used in Australian ARP (Air Raid Precautions) training during the Second World War. They show the improvised nature of civil‑defence work with limited resources. They were commonly used to simulate bombs, practise bomb marking, conduct casualty and rescue drills, and train responses to incendiary attacks.
This item was provided by the Shire of Ferntree Gully to the Air Raid Precautions organisation in the shire during the Second World War to store Magnesium turnings. These were used to simulate incendiary bombs during ARP training.

Significance

Example of a once common household item, used for civil defence training during the Second World War.

Physical description

Metal bucket with handles on either sides and a lid with horned clasps.

Inscriptions & markings

None