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Examples of the enamel signage from the war are avidly collected. This 12" by 8" 'ARP Water Supply Point' example recently sold on eBay for £450.  ARP Water Supply Point Enamel Sign
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A busy scene as members of a Rescue Squad, aided by a Stretcher Party and Police, extricate a wounded man from a bombed hostel in London. Dated January 1941, the teams are wearing bluette overalls with the red 'R LONDON' insignia. A squad leader (centre) with double red chevrons on his sleeve is visible.   Rescue 'R LONDON' badge I have encountered quite a few oval ARP breast badges over the years, but the example below is the first I've come across that is thickly padded. Most embroidered examples are on dark blue bluette (cotton twill) fabric, as is this badge. This example also used a thick red thread for the lettering and the oval. After a steer from a regular contributor to the site, I had a much closer look at the badge. I opened up one seam carefully and found there was a paper lining. And on the paper? Arabic writing... So, if you come across a very padded ARP breast badge, chances are it's a fake.  Fake padded ARP breast badge  Arabic text on paper lining The badge below features "FIRE BRIGADE A.R.P." and crops up now and again on eBay (as per this example) and at fairs, etc. I've not yet come across any background details regarding the badge, so if you know more information about when it was issued and by whom, please drop me a line.  Enamel 'Fire Brigade ARP' Badge A roof spotter in the City of London scans the skies towards south London in September 1940. The spotters' general purpose was to warn their internal ARP team of the imminent arrival of enemy aircraft so work could continue until the last moment before staff were sent to the air raid shelters. Work would also not be interrupted by a false air raid alert. The west frontage of St. Paul's Cathedral is in the background. The black spire to his immediate right is that of St. Martin Ludgate on Ludgate Hill. The roof he is standing on is probably close to St. Bride's Church on Fleet Street. In the intervening years, the vast majority of the buildings behind the spotter in the Farringdon Street area have been demolished.  London Roof Spotter |
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