WW2 ARP (Air Raid Precautions) & CD (Civil Defence) Buttons
Metal ARP (Air Raid Precautions) Buttons
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The first type of 'uniform' issued to Air Raid Wardens and other Civil Defence Service personnel was the simple bluette overalls. These overalls featured four large 25mm ARP-marked metal buttons to the front closure and four smaller 18mm ARP-marked metal buttons to the chest pockets and epaulettes. The type of button used appears to have had a concave rear.
A number of manufacturers produced ARP (Air Raid Precautions) buttons such as the Birmingham-based companies of:
and the London-based manufacturers of:
Firmin's buttons appear to be of a higher quality metal and also maintain a higher sheen than the other manufacturers. Quite a number of ARP buttons do not have any maker's marks. ARP buttons are known to have been sewn onto some greatcoats as well. |
WW2 ARP buttons |
Metal and Black Plastic CD (Civil Defence) Buttons
On the women's Pattern 71 serge tunic the front closure was fitted with 25mm metal CD and King's crown buttons. The pockets and epaulettes were fitted with smaller 19mm metal buttons of the same design. Later in the war the metal buttons were replaced with black plastic, again featuring the CD letters and King's crown. The exact date when the plastic buttons were introduced is currently unknown (the earliest dated tunic with black buttons is currently 1944).
Metal ARP and CD buttons were also used on the greatcoats issued to men and women. It would appear that the clothing manufacturers added either ARP or CD buttons depending on what was in their stockroom or was available to buy (hence uniforms having variations in the buttons). There is evidence that some greatcoats also had black plastic CD and crown buttons applied.
This design was re-used in the post-war Civil Defence Corps. I am currently unsure if there is a method of discerning any difference between the two periods (I doubt there would be). Some design changes to the way the crown is represented may point to a way of telling the difference, but I have seen hundreds of black plastic CD-marked buttons and they all appear similar.
Metal ARP and CD buttons were also used on the greatcoats issued to men and women. It would appear that the clothing manufacturers added either ARP or CD buttons depending on what was in their stockroom or was available to buy (hence uniforms having variations in the buttons). There is evidence that some greatcoats also had black plastic CD and crown buttons applied.
This design was re-used in the post-war Civil Defence Corps. I am currently unsure if there is a method of discerning any difference between the two periods (I doubt there would be). Some design changes to the way the crown is represented may point to a way of telling the difference, but I have seen hundreds of black plastic CD-marked buttons and they all appear similar.
