Recommended books & articles about ARP & Civil Defence Services during WW2
There are a number of excellent books that provide detail on the organisation, running and development of ARP and Civil Defence Services before and during the second world war.
Air Raid Precautions Memorandum No. 17 - Civil Defence Uniforms (1944)
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This official 1944 Department of Home Security booklet provides a wealth of detail about all aspects of Civil Defence uniforms and badges.
Get a digital copy for £3 |
Air Raid Precautions Memorandum No. 17 - Civil Defence Uniforms (1944) |
History of Second World War Civil Defence by T H O.Brien
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Written by Terence H. O'Brien and published by the Stationery Office in 1955 as the official history of Civil Defence in the UK during the second world war. It has 729 pages and the level of detail is remarkable. Includes the planning for ARP from the 1920s and through the 1930s and the development of the Civil Defence services throughout the war. Every area of Civil Defence is covered and for those wanting the chapter and verse on the Civil Defence Reserve I've not read anything better.
Finding a copy can be quite difficult and prices for ex-library copies vary between £10 and £25 (if you're lucky). Copies in very good condition can reach £100+. A number of pages from the book can be read for free on the Internet Archive. |
History of Second World War Civil Defence by T H O.Brien |
A Brief History of Civil Defence
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A very good history of the Civil Defence services in the build up and during the second world war.
A Brief History of Civil Defence |
A Brief History of Civil Defence |
"A People's Army - Civil Defence Insignia and Uniforms 1939-1945" Jon Mills
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Provides a very good overview of the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the Civil Defence services during the second world war. Highly recommended reading.
This is currently out of print but from time-to-time the author Jon Mills lists a few copies on eBay. |
"A People's Army - Civil Defence Insignia and Uniforms 1939-1945" Jon Mills |
"Put That Light Out!: Britain's Civil Defence Services at War 1939-1945" by Mike Brown
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An excellent overview of ARP and Civil Defence in the UK during the war. Chapters cover the various services and show how they were organised, trained and worked together at air raid incidents. Excellent photographs and snippets from CD members' stories.
Available on Amazon |
"Put That Light Out!: Britain's Civil Defence Services at War 1939-1945" by Mike Brown |
"Helmets of the Home Front" by Adrian & George Blake
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A detailed study of home front helmets, it covers all the non-military British services operational during WW2. Over 300 colour pages and 1,000 different helmet markings are included. The bible on collecting and information on home front helmets.
More information |
"Helmets of the Home Front" by Adrian & George Blake |
"Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted
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“Behind the Cordon” provides an in-depth review of the dangers faced by Civil Defence personnel from German air-dropped ordnance plus the risks associated with aircraft crash sites (both Allied and German) during the Second World War.
Of particular interest is the chapter on Bomb Reconnaissance training. Available from Key Publishing |
"Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted
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"Home Front Transport - Vehicles of the UK Civil Defence Services 1938 to 1968" by Alan House
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Covers the various types of vehicles used by Civil Defence Services during the second world war and then post war by the Civil Defence Corps until it was disbanded in 1968. The book includes information on vehicles that were converted and those specifically manufactured for civil defence purposes. It's a fantastic book with over 3000 pages packed with black-and-white and colour photographs.
Book can be bought direct from the author for £9.75 plus postage – email the author at [email protected] |
Home Front Transport - Vehicles of the UK Civil Defence Services 1938 to 1968
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"The Forgotten Service: Auxiliary Ambulance Station 39 Weymouth Mews" by Angela Raby
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An excellent account of the running of an auxiliary ambulance station in London during the war. The book is filled with excellent photographs and is a mus-have book for anyone interested in the civil defence services in WW2.
Book often available on eBay. |
"The Forgotten Service: Auxiliary Ambulance Station 39 Weymouth Mews" by Angela Raby |
"More Ways than One of Fighting a War: The Story of a Battle School for Civil Defence and the Creation of Casualties Union" by Eric Claxton
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Eric Claxton was a Highways Engineer for Surrey County Council when war broke out and, specialising in bridges, he initially dealt with that side of CD work. However, he soon moved over into light rescue, and set up the Rescue School at Redhill (the forerunner of the Casualties Union). The book is a fantastic insight into what the rescue and wardens service were expected to do (for example - if you can fit your tin hat through a hole - you can fit through the hole!).
Copies appear on eBay and a number of online book sellers. |
"More Ways than One of Fighting a War: The Story of a Battle School for Civil Defence and the Creation of Casualties Union" by Eric Claxton |
"Raiders Overhead: The Record Of A London Warden" by Barbara Nixon" by Barbara Nixon
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Barbara Nixon was an actress before the war and being rather headstrong, made a success of herself as an ARP Warden - becoming the first female Incident Officer (I.O.). The diary is a great insight into the day-to-day roles of the warden and despite being published in 1943, it gives a surprising frank, and at times seemingly controversial view, of the ARP/Civil Defence organisation.
Copies appear on eBay and a number of online book sellers. |
"Raiders Overhead: The Record Of A London Warden" by Barbara Nixon" by Barbara Nixon |
"The People's War - Britain 1939-1945" by Angus Calder
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A comprehensive social history of the British Home Front with emphasis on the roles played by ordinary people: Civil Defence volunteers, Home Guard, factory workers and housewives. Uses oral histories and social documentation to question the popularised image of national unity in the fight for victory.
Usually available on eBay at a low price. |
"The People's War - Britain 1939-1945" by Angus Calder |
"The Home Front British Wartime Memorabilia 1939-1945" by Peter Doyle and Paul Evans
"The Home Front British Wartime Memorabilia 1939-1945" by Peter Doyle and Paul Evans
This book covers a plethora of items relating to the home front. Includes detailed observations about many of the most often seen items as well as rarer items. ARP and Civil Defence uniforms are included as are badges related to the service.
Book is often available on eBay at a reduced price.
Book is often available on eBay at a reduced price.
"Doing Their Bit - Home Front Lapel Badges, 1939-1945" by Jon Mills
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.A must for anyone interested in home front badges from the second world war. The book includes colour photographs of over 700 wartime lapel badges plus related ephemera from 200-odd organisations which issued them. Excellent detail on many civil defence, ARP and related badges.
Buy direct from Sabrestorm Publishing. |
Doing Their Bit by Jon Mills
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"ARP and Civil Defence in the Second World War" by Peter Doyle
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An introductory text to the ARP and Civil Defence Services. Although this 64-page booklet does not go into great detail it is a useful starting point for those seeking a general introduction. Has sections on Britain in the Front Line | The ARP Services | The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) | The National Fire Service (NFS) and Fire Guard | The Police | The Women's Voluntary Service (WVS)
Widely available online. |
"ARP and Civil Defence in the Second World War" by Peter Doyle |
"The British Home Front 1939–45" by Martin Brayley
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Osprey's Elite 109 gives a good overview of the various services working on the Home Front during the war. Has dedicated sections for ARP and Civil Defence Services. A bit light on detail and one for the generalist.
Widely available online. |
"The British Home Front 1939–45" by Martin Brayley |
