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The majority of Civil Defence area titles (both the oblong and arched versions) were made of old gold coloured thread on a dark blue or black wool/felt backing. There are also a few examples such as the below Birmingham are marking that have the old gold thread sewn onto a dark blue cotton twill material. The backing material is a black cotton and a merrow edge in black thread is also used on the badge's edge. A badge made in the same way can be found for Greenwich (I assume the same manufacturer was probably used).  WW2 Birmingham Civil Defence Arched Area Title
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I'm not currently 100% certain if this badge is WW2-vintage but going by the thread colour, backing fabric and rear it could be. If not, perhaps the local area issued them to the local Ambulance Service post war. If you know more please contact me. The three wartime authorities in Lincolnshire - Holland, Lindsey and Kesteven - all produced a number of enamel and embroidered badges for the Civil Defence-related services (such as air raid welfare badges). The old gold colour of this ambulance service badge does have some similarity to wartime-produced items.  Kesteven Ambulance Service Lincolnshire Badge As soon as the British government began issuing gas masks (respirators) to the general public in the late 1930s, enterprising firms began offering a myriad of carriers. Gas masks were issued in a carboard box and these quickly took a battering when carried around. <amy people therefore bought a carrier. All types of material were used for the carriers, from simple fabric sacks, to handbags (with special compartments to hold the gas mask), through to metal tins and the leather example shown below. The leatherwork on this example is excellent quality and was no doubt quite an expensive investment. But, given the 80+ years since it was made it's still in remarkable condition.  WW2 Leather Gas Mask (Respirator) Carrier
Not many examples of the ARP Pattern 61 Waterproof (Mackintosh) Cape have survived. This wonderful example was issued by Berkshire County Council and has a number of manufacture and stores ink stamps. There appears to have been an oval ARP badge on the item at one time. It is thought that the printed style ARP badge was glued to the cape to maintain its waterproof nature. Thanks go to Michael Hodgson for sharing the images.  Rare ARP Pattern 61 Waterproof Cape
I've seen a few armband designs for the Scottish Emergency Relief Organisation (ERO) but this one for a Rest Centres Registrar in Edinburgh is new to me. The ERO was responsible for the majority of the post air raid services and managed rest centres and air raid welfare in Scotland. From December 1940 the ERO replaced many of the existing air raid welfare organisations in Scotland. This armband is currently for sale on eBay.  Scottish Emergency Relief Organisation (ERO) Rest Centres Registrar Edinburgh Armband |
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