Gas mask tests for babies a Kent nursery. Babies only a few months old, were fitted with gas masks when Home Office experts conducted test at Dr Barnardo's Baby is Castle at Hawkhurst, Kent. The government has already and order of millions of masks for the adult population, but so far no efficient device for babies has been produced. The trials were made to discover the earliest age a child might be able to use a respirator and weeder extras for masks would be needed. Photo shows, two children in respirators during the test at the nursery. 20 October 1937