ARP / Civil Defence Bluette Overalls - ARP Pattern Number 41
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At the beginning of WW2, air raid wardens undertaking ARP work wore their civilian clothes with the silver ARP lapel badge, helmet and armband (various designs exist as local authorities bought as they saw fit) whilst on duty. A mid-weight cotton denim bluette (7 oz.) combination suit was announced on 10 July 1939. The first issue of these overalls occurred in October 1939. Over a million ARP Pattern 41 bluette overalls - also called a Combination Suit but very similar to a boiler suit - were issued.
The overalls featured a dark blue/black oval badge with ARP written in red often with a red border. Area markings were sometimes added above or below the ARP badge and occasionally above the right pocket. Chrome- or nickel-plated buttons with 'ARP' embossed letters featured on the closure, breast pockets and shoulder epaulettes. These were attached with rings so they could be removed when the overalls were laundered. There exist pre-war WW2 photographs of wardens in Chelsea wearing an oval 'ARW' (for Air Raid Warden) breast badge on brown overalls. This borough initially wore an all brown overall but Home Secretary John Anderson ordered the borough to wear blue for a parade before the King just before the war. There is photographic evidence that the brown overalls continued to be worn though. |
Early WW2 bluette overalls combination suit |
The inferior quality of the overalls was quickly discovered though. During the various blitzes on British cities during late 1940 it was found that rescue and first aid squads would often rip or damage the garment during their work. It quickly became apparent that a more durable uniform would be required – this was to be the serge battledress – and was issued for the remainder of the second world war. However, the bluette overalls continued to be issued to Fire Guards and water pump handlers.
For women a calf-length wrapover coat – Overall, ARP Pattern 47 – was issued. Made in dark blue denim bluette it had an open shawl collar, a single path pocket on the right and button cuffs, The coat had a similar ARP badge sewn to the left upper breast. A warden's coat for ladies was also made.
For reproduction bluette overalls visit the re-enacting page.
For women a calf-length wrapover coat – Overall, ARP Pattern 47 – was issued. Made in dark blue denim bluette it had an open shawl collar, a single path pocket on the right and button cuffs, The coat had a similar ARP badge sewn to the left upper breast. A warden's coat for ladies was also made.
For reproduction bluette overalls visit the re-enacting page.
Finchley ARP Head Warden in bluette overalls
WW2 ARP Bluette Overalls (early version with no leg pocket)
The bluette overalls featured three larger 25mm ARP buttons on the centre closure. The breast pockets and epaulattes featured the smaller 18mm ARP buttons. All buttons were held in place with small circular rings that allowed the buttons to be removed when the overalls were washed.
WW2 ARP Bluette Overalls (with leg pocket but missing belt)
The leg pocket had a flap held in place by a four hole small metal dish button.
Original wartime photo showing four men wearing the bluette overalls
WW2 Red ARP Cloth Badges
Many bluette overalls had the below red-on-blue ARP badge attached. These badges were also later sewn onto the battledress blouse as well. Several manufacturing techniques were used to create these ARP breast badges: woven, embroidered and screen-printed on dark blue backgrounds. Most have merrow edging applied (except the printed style).
Sample WW2 ARP Badges
A number of samples for the ARP badge were created before the oval badge was adopted. These samples are from a file in the National Archives.
WW2 ARP Uniform Buttons
Bluette overalls featured a button closure. Two sizes of buttons were manufactured - a larger 25mm and a smaller 18mm for epaulettes.
Early War ARP Red Bar and Diamond Rank Insignia
An excellent portrait of George Earl - an ARP Post Warden from Harrow. Wearing the bluette overalls with rank on sleeve, armband, first world war medal ribbon and enamel Royal Life Saving Respiration Badge. (Boddington)
To display rank with the ARP service, a series of red bars without and without a diamond were introduced at the beginning of the second world war. These were worn on both sleeves of the bluette overalls, and stipulated for the bottom bar to be placed four inches from the cuff.
The red bars, either embroidered or printed, were three inches long by half an inch wide and were spaced a quarter of an inch apart. Red diamonds had sides half an inch long.
Post, District and Chief Wardens had one, two or three red bars with a red diamond surmounted above respectively; their deputies wore bars without the diamond.
Do you have original insignia to share here? Contact me
The red bars, either embroidered or printed, were three inches long by half an inch wide and were spaced a quarter of an inch apart. Red diamonds had sides half an inch long.
Post, District and Chief Wardens had one, two or three red bars with a red diamond surmounted above respectively; their deputies wore bars without the diamond.
Do you have original insignia to share here? Contact me
WW2 Combination Suit Bluette Boys
A version of the bluette overalls was manufactured in a size suitable for boys. It featured a simple stand up collar, a single breast pocket without flap, concealed button closure with plain buttons to the front and no epaulettes.
1942 Combination Suit Bluette Boys Label
An ARP Post Warden (single red bar and diamond on sleeve) from Popular in London wearing the bluette overalls. On his sleeve is the bar and diamond rank insignia.
