WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia & Equipment
WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia & Equipment
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  • Uniforms
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  • Insignia
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    • Beret / Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
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    • Bomb Reconnaissance
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    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Equipment
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    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Rescue Equipment
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WW2 ARP & Civil Defence Local Area Marking Badges


First Pattern ARP Area Marking - Red on Black / Dark Blue

Local authorities were allowed to obtain from commercial manufacturers area markings to be affixed to uniforms. These would display either the authority's name (e.g. Lewisham) or where required their initials (e.g. H.H.R.D. - Hemel Hempstead Rural District). These first pattern badges were initially designated to be an oblong bar 3.75" by 1.75", either embroidered, silk screen printed or woven on rayon. The lettering was to be red on a dark blue or black background. However, ovals as well as arched styles are known to have been produced, both with and without a border. 

These badges were normally attached to the bluette overalls, generally above the right pocket. ​The placement of the area badge varies from authority to authority with some below the ARP badge and some above. With the introduction of the battledress in 1941 some local authorities mandated that existing stocks of badges be used before the new old gold were issued. Consequently it is known that the red area markings appeared on battledress (just as the red ARP breast badge did).
Embroidered ARP Edmonton (London) Area Marking Blacked Out Britain)
Embroidered ARP Edmonton (London) Area Marking Blacked Out Britain)
Silk ARP Wembley (London) Area Marking Blacked Out Britain)
Silk ARP Wembley (London) Area Marking Blacked Out Britain)
Woven ARP Croydon Area Marking
Woven ARP Croydon Area Marking

City of London Area Marking

Wardens in the City of London wore an oval area marking incorporating the white shield and sword emblem. Seen on bluette overalls, it may have been also used on battledress and tunics but no photographic has of yet come to light.
WW2 City of London ARP Warden Area Marking
WW2 City of London ARP Warden Area Marking

Second Pattern Civil Defence Area Marking - "Old Gold" Yellow on Blue

ARP Warden with Holborn (London) area marking
ARP Warden with Holborn (London) area marking.
Following the introduction of the Civil Defence battledress (CD BD) in 1941, area markings were manufactured in 'old gold' (a yellow colour variance) on a dark blue material to match the battledress blouses and uniforms. These area markings were placed under the CD badge on the left chest pocket of the battledress. On the female Pattern 71 tunic the badge is known to appear above the pocket as well as below.

Arched versions curved around the bottom of the CD breast badge and oblong varieties were also made to be placed below the CD badge. Again, some areas used a border whilst others did not. Backing material is usually dark blue wool but rayon versions are also known to have been produced. There are a number of localities that appear to have the location name arched the other way (i.e. to be placed above the CD badge). However, to date no original photographs have come to light showing these and they are probably post-war insignia.

Additionally, some authorities placed a further badge below the area marking to differentiate between services. These are most commonly found as "R.D." for 'Rural District'.


When worn on serge uniforms the official location, as dictated by ARP Memo 17,  was below the CD breast badge.

WW2 Civil Defence Oblong Area Marking Badges

Embroidered Notts. Civil Defence Oblong Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
Embroidered Notts. Civil Defence Oblong Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
Embroidered Windsor Civil Defence Oblong Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
Embroidered Windsor Civil Defence Oblong Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
WW2 Ayr County Civil Defence Area Marking BAdge.
WW2 Ayr County Civil Defence Area Marking BAdge.
Lambeth (London) area marking
Lambeth (London) area marking

​WW2 Civil Defence Arched Area Marking Badges

WW2 embroidered Civil Defence area marking for North Riding.
WW2 embroidered Civil Defence area marking for North Riding.
Embroidered Norfolk Arched Civil Defence Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
Embroidered Norfolk Arched Civil Defence Battledress Area Marking (Blacked Out Britain)
WW2 Walthamstow Civil Defence area marking badge.
WW2 Walthamstow Civil Defence area marking badge.
WW2 printed Civil Defence area marking for Greenwich in London.
WW2 printed Civil Defence area marking for Greenwich in London.
Area Marking for Lindsey in Lincolnshire
Area Marking for Lindsey in Lincolnshire
Area Marking for Hemel Hempstead Rural District
Area Marking for Hemel Hempstead Rural District
A high number of arched area location badges without a border were introduced with the Civil Defence Corps at the end of the 1940s. Many of these are claimed to be WW2.

WW2 Civil Defence Area Marking Badges on Battledress Uniform

Derbyshire area title with ARP badge on battledress blouse.
Southend-On-Sea area title with CD badge on battledress blouse.
To submit original area marking badges please send me an email via the contact page. 

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