Members of various Civil Defence services pose for a photo during an ARP exercise somewhere in Manchester in 1941.
We have four double-diamond helmets; three white helmets for Decontamination (DC), Casualty Service (CS) and Rescue (R) plus a yellow-helmeted Gas Identification Service (GIS). The Rescue Squad Leader also has a peculiar armband. The two gents are the right are from a Rescue Squad and the gentleman far left has a Civil Defence armband. A few bluette overalls are being worn by the Decontamination and Rescue Leaders and the gent on the far left. Image from the Manchester Libraries collection (CC BY 40).
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Outfits worn by ARP motorcyclists early in the war. The man's photos are dated as 1939 and the woman's as 1941 but the outfits look identical.
The man is wearing a Coat Waterproof (Pattern No. P.O. 13), Leggings Waterproof (Pattern No. P.O. 12), Gloves (Pattern No. P.O. 2) and Goggles (ARP Pattern No. 40) The woman wears a Jacket Waterproof (ARP Pattern No. 85) and Leggings Waterproof (ARP Pattern No. 86). This oval L.A.R.P. yellow lettering on a dark blue/black fabric embroidered badge crops up semi-regularly online and at militaria fairs. I have not seen any documentary evidence that features the badge, nor have I seen it being worn in a period photo. So I'm putting it out there again hoping that someone may have some background information.
Often sold as a private purchase Local Air Raid Precautions (L.A.R.P.) badge. If you do know anything about this badge, please send an email via the contact page. I always enjoy adding re-enactors to the site and here's a great depiction of an early-war air raid warden from Wycombe. He's been issued with a black helmet with a white ‘W’, a Civil Defence armband and a civilian duty respirator. On his belt, he's carrying a hooded blackout lamp.
To learn more, see Britain's Darkest Hour Living History Group (redirects to a Facebook page). If you're a CD/ARP re-enactor and have a period-looking photo you'd like to appear on this blog, please drop me an email. Members of the Civil Defence raise their helmets in salute to the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, during a review in Hyde Park, 14th July 1941. Of interest is the white helmet belonging to a member of a London-based Stretcher Party. It has the letters S and P plus the emblem of one of the boroughs - most likely St. Pancras Borough Council with "S.P.B.C." letters above the borough's crest. He has also added, against regulations, chromed 'SP' letters to his epaulettes. Interestingly, nearly all the battledress blouses have the red-on-blue oval ARP badges on the breast pocket. Next to the man with the white helmet is a gentleman with an arched area title on the flap of his breast pocket. This is most certainly the PADDINGTON area marking. If only the photo had been taken from the other side so we could see the helmet markings... The coat of arms features the figure of St. Pancras standing on top of a helmet. The red roses and crossed swords on yellow represented the dean and chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral. The black and white saltire shield featured elements taken from the arms of historical landowners of the borough: the Dukes of Bedford's scallop shells and the Marquess Camden's elephant's heads. The motto is "With wisdom and courage".
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