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A recent blog entry showed a stand-down photograph featuring members of Epping Forest Civil Defence, the British Red Cross Society, and nursing. A lady in this photo was wearing the uniform of the Civil Nursing Reserve (see below). I now have details about the cap she was wearing. The archives record that in October 1943, members of the Civil Nursing Reserve (CNR) who were Trained Nurses were given a more distinctive uniform; a blue grey cloth greatcoat replaced the gabardine coat, the breast badge was woven rather than printed, and they were issued a blue grey cloth cap worn with the metal CNR cap badge. The Post Office records list "Hat, Blue/Grey gabardine" as Cap, NA, 86. I am again indebted to Jon Mills for filling in the details regarding this particular cap.  Civil Nursing Reserve Cap NA 86  Civil Nursing Reserve nurse  Member of the Civil Nursing Reserve (CNR) with the hat released in 1943
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A smart line of CD personnel from the north west of England during the Civil Defence Services farewell parade in Hyde Park, 1945. Members from across the country headed to the event, which the King and Queen attended. The photo shows clear evidence that the ARP breast badge was worn through to the end of the war, as several men here have it displayed. Interestingly, both junior and senior supervisory roles intermingled. They have also all been given gaiters to wear. Various styles of beret are also seen, with both the ARP badge and CD badge being worn. Several men also have instructors' badges - see detailed image.  Stand Down of the Civil Defence Services, 1945  Detail showing Civil Defence insgnia and instructors' badges Two ladies pose in their ARP Pattern 44 felt hats and buttoned-up ARP Pattern Number 42 wardens' coats.  ARP Wardens Wearing Felt Hats & Wardens' Coats A staged photo taken in London for the release of the new uniforms in late October 1939. These uniforms were described then as: First Aid Post Work, A.R.P. Warden and Reporting Centre. The uniforms are the ARP Pattern 46 nurses' uniform with ARP badge to the front, ARP Pattern 41 bluette overalls for the wardens' service and the ARP Pattern 47 wrapover overalls with ARP badge.  New Uniforms For ARP Services, October 1939 Civil Defence personnel from across the UK parade before HM the King (no date on photo but I can just detect war service chevrons, so this may be the stand down parade in 1945). Nearly every man has qualified as either an Incident Officer or Bomb Reconnaissance Officer or both. Some badges have been correctly sewn to the sleeve (IO ahead of BRO), but some have these reversed, and one chap has them stacked.  CD Personnel Parade Before HM the King |
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