WW2 CIVIL DEFENCE UNIFORMS, INSIGNIA & EQUIPMENT
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WW2 ARP & Civil Defence Armbands / Armlets


Before the introduction of uniforms, air raid wardens wore their ARP lapel badge, helmet and an armband (also called brassards or armlets).
There are numerous armband variations as different manufacturers created versions for various local authorities.​

​See this page for Fire Guard armbands.
Various Home Front armbands including many Civil Defence and ARP-related examples (© Military Heraldic Society)
Various Home Front armbands including many Civil Defence and ARP-related examples (© Military Heraldic 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.
Early war Air Raid Warden armband fitted with cotton tapes (Birmingham Museum)
Early war printed ARP (Air Raid Precautions) armband (elasticated)
Civil Defence Bomb Reconnaissance Armband (Blacked Out Britain)

ARP Shelter Marshal Armband

There were armbands written with SHELTER MARSHAL for those who organised large capacity air raid shelters.
Shelter Marshal's armband
Shelter Marshal's armband.
WW2 Shelter Marshal Armband - Yellow on Blue.
WW2 Shelter Marshal Armband - Yellow on Blue.
Shelter Marshal (in helmet marked SM) in an air raid shelter, London 1940
Shelter Marshal (in helmet marked SM) in an air raid shelter, London 1940.

Civil Defence Armband Variations

The most commonly seen version is the screen printed ARP Pattern 54 dark blue armband featuring the gold coloured King's crown and CIVIL DEFENCE written within an arch (sometimes called the rainbow). This was introduced in July 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 any member of the Civil Defence services.

Some printed armbands were embroidered by the owners, numerous variations are known to exist.
WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Woven with Service Chevrons)
WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Woven with Service Chevrons)
WW2 Civil Defence armband with white lettering.
WW2 Civil Defence armband with white lettering.
WW2 Civil Defence armband for Rest Centre staff.
WW2 Civil Defence armband for Rest Centre staff.

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.
Regional Staff HQ Civil Defence Armband
Regional Staff HQ Civil Defence Armband
Regional Staff HQ Civil Defence Northern Ireland Armband
Regional Staff HQ Civil Defence Northern Ireland Armband

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.
ARP Messenger Armband
ARP Messenger Armband
A CD Messenger armband
A CD Messenger armband

Rarer WW2 Civil Defence Armbands

Below is a small collection of lesser seen armbands.
ARP Chaplain's armband
ARP Chaplain's armband
Stencilled ARP Armband (Blacked Out Britain)
Stencilled ARP Armband (Blacked Out Britain)
Civil Defence MS Armband -
 Possibly Messenger Service (Blacked Out Britain)
Civil Defence MS Armband - Possibly Messenger Service (Blacked Out Britain)
WW2 Civil Defence "Assistant to Controller" armband.
WW2 Civil Defence "Assistant to Controller" armband.
Hackney Fire Guard armband.
Hackney Fire Guard armband.
Air Raid Welfare armband.
Air Raid Welfare armband.
British Red Cross Society (BRCS) ARP Reserve Armband
British Red Cross Society (BRCS) ARP Reserve Armband

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
Post-war Civil Defence Corps Casualty Collection armband
To submit original area marking badges please send me an email via the contact page.

☜ WAR SERVICE CHEVRONS
ARP INSTRUCTORS' BADGES ☞
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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret / Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Links
    • About
  • Contact
    • Support
  • Blog