WW2 ARP & Civil Defence Armbands / Armlets
Before the introduction of uniforms, air raid wardens wore their ARP lapel badge, helmet and armlet /armband (the term armlet was used on all official documentation during the war). There are numerous armband variations as different manufacturers created versions for various local authorities.
See this page for Fire Guard armbands.
See this page for Fire Guard armbands.
Various Home Front armbands including many Civil Defence and ARP-related examples (© Military Heraldry Society)
Air Raid Warden Armband Variations
Many of the early armbands for air raid wardens simply featured the letters ARP. Some had Warden added or even the local authority's name. This were usually made printed on coloured or plain cotton material.
ARP Shelter Marshal Armband
There were armbands written with SHELTER MARSHAL for those who organised large capacity air raid shelters.
Shelter Marshal's armband. |
WW2 Shelter Marshal Armband - Yellow on Blue.
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Shelter Marshal (in helmet marked SM) in an air raid shelter, London 1940.
Civil Defence Armband Variations
The most commonly seen armband is the screen printed ARP Pattern 54 dark blue armband featuring the gold-coloured King's crown and CIVIL DEFENCE written within an arched regional device (sometimes incorrectly called a 'rainbow'). This Civil Defence device was first introduced via the London Regional Circular No. 158 dated 18 June 1940. The armband was initially issued only to members of a local authority's ARP services. By 1944 the armband was could be worn by anyone volunteering with the Civil Defence services.
Some printed armbands were embroidered by the owners, numerous variations are known to exist.
Some printed armbands were embroidered by the owners, numerous variations are known to exist.
Civil Defence armbands variations
Regional Staff HQ Civil Defence Armbands
A higher quality "old gold" armband was produced for senior CD officers at Group HQs. These were made of a thick yellow wool with the same civil defence rainbow and crown motif.
Messenger Armband
ARP Messengers carried air raid incident reports from the wardens to the control centres. Especially important if telephone lines had been interrupted. A very dangerous job often undertaken by teenagers.
Rarer WW2 Civil Defence Armbands
Below is a small collection of lesser seen armbands.
Post-War Civil Defence Corps & Casualty Collection Armbands
There are several yellow Civil Defence Corps armbands featuring Warden, Rescue, Headquarters, Welfare and Ambulance. There is also a white Casualty Collection armband with King's Crown. This is also Civil Defence Corps. The below image shows a sealed pattern for this armband. Curiously, even after the ascension of Queen Elizabeth to the throne in 1952 they were still using the King's crown on a 1955-dated sealed pattern.
Post-war Civil Defence Corps Casualty Collection armband
To submit original area marking badges please send me an email via the contact page.
