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To encourage women to become involved in ARP, the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions was set up in 1938. The short-lived “ARP Women’s Voluntary Services” was issued up to February 1939. It was a chromium plated on brass badge with inlaid enamel and it appears all examples were manufactured by H. B. SALE of Birmingham. It appears the badges were issued in plain, unmarked cream or white coloured card boxes.  Women’s Voluntary Services (WVS) ARP & Civil Defence Badges The role of WVS expanded greatly beyond just ARP matters prior to the war. A change in the name of the organisation occurred in February 1939 when it became the Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence. Probably as ubiquitous as the silver and base metal ARP badges, the “WVS Civil Defence” badge is often encountered at militaria sales, car boot sales and elsewhere. Due to its availability, it’s often overlooked. It appears the badge was produced throughout the war, and several manufacturers are known. It is assumed that the examples inlaid with red paint replaced the enamel varieties as a war economy measure. Inlaid enamel versions can be found made by: - H. B. SALE B’HAM (Henry Bailey Sale opened his works in the city of Birmingham in 1862) - BUTLER 48 VITTORIA ST. B’HAM (T. A. Butler & Co. were medallists that occupied numbers 48, 50 and 52 Vittoria Street) - BUTLER BIRMINGHAM - MARPLES & BEASLEY BIRMINGHAM (the founders sold their company in 1936 but the trade continued) Painted examples bear two marks: - L. SIMPSON & CO LONDON - Unmarked plain rear  Makers' marks on the rear of WVS Civil Defence badges
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An interesting badge made by Thomas Fattorini for the County Borough of Preston's ARP Rescue & Demolition personnel. The use of 'demolition' on wartime badges is quite rare. Probably an early war example before the introduction of Light Rescue and Heavy Rescue Squads (the former rescued casualties while the latter ensured buildings were safe to enter (using shoring etc.)or were pulled down if unsafe).  County Borough of Preston Rescue & Demolition Badge Coming up at auction at South Dorset Auctions is a fabulous group of medals and ephemera belonging to Dr Horatio Sparling MBE. Dr Horatio Sparling was the local Divisional Surgeon for the St. John Ambulance before volunteering as a Medical Officer (MO) with the Civil Defence organisation at the beginning of the second world war. Based in East Croydon, the decorated veteran of the first world war received an MBE for his work saving casualties following a V1 rocket attack. His MBE was gazetted in December 1944.  Amongst the lots are several photos showing Sparling in his CD uniform. His two-diamond, white helmet with M.O. and A.R.P. is most unusual. Also present is a photo of him wearing a peaked cap, but the cap badge is hard to discern. Dr Sparling died in 1965 at the age of 77.  Dr Horatio Sparling - Croydon Medical Officer  Dr Horatio Sparling - Medal Grouping This wonderful poster entitled "Sleep To Gather Strength For The Morning" was created by the Polish artist Feliks Topolski who was an official war artist during the war. The quote was taken from the end of a broadcast made by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the French people at the end of October 1940: "Good night then: sleep to gather strength for the morning. For the morning will come. Brightly will it shine on the brave and true, kindly upon all who suffer for the cause, glorious upon the tombs of heroes. Thus will shine the dawn." Also on the poster is "It all depends on me and I depend on God". The "It All Depends On Me" was a commonly used phrase during the second world war.  'Sleep To Gather Strength For The Morning' Feliks Topolski Poster Nicely done colourisation of a well-known photo of a couple of early-war ARP Wardens. Nothing on the helmets and one has the silver ARP badge and the other the Civil Defence 'rainbow' armband introduced in mid-1940.  Two Wardens Share A Cuppa |
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