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.

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.

WW2 Shelter Marshal Armband - Yellow on Blue.

Shelter Marshal (in helmet marked SM) in an air raid shelter, London 1940.

Civil Defence Armband Variations

The most commonly seen version is ARP Pattern 54 dark blue armband featuring the gold coloured King's crown and CIVIL DEFENCE written within an arch (sometimes called the rainbow). The embroidered/woven version of the CD armband are probably printed versions that have been embroidered by the owner.

WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Woven with Service Chevrons)

WW2 Civil Defence armband with white lettering.

WW2 Civil Defence ARP Pattern 54 Armband (Printed)

WW2 Civil Defence armband for Rest Centre staff.

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.