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Another recent pick-up from eBay was this embroidered Civil Defence armlet. The screen-printed ARP Pattern 54 dark blue armband features a gold-coloured King's crown and CIVIL DEFENCE written within an arched regional device (sometimes incorrectly called a 'rainbow'). First issued in the summer of 1940, these armlets were initially issued only to members of a local authority's ARP services, but by 1944, they could be worn by anyone volunteering with the Civil Defence Services.  Embroidered Civil Defence Armlet (Armband)  Embroidered Civil Defence armlet regional device detail  Embroidered Civil Defence armlet crown detail
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Cracking price, Gromit...!  Ceramic Anderson Shelter Night Light I recently picked up this armlet (armband) on eBay for next to nothing. It features the FIRE GUARD patch with screen-printed gold letters (an ARP Pattern Number 88 is known for a patch of white letters on dark blue). The patch is much thicker than the standard material used for one-piece Fire Guard armlets. The patch has been sewn onto an SFP (Street Fire Party) armlet (Armband Street Fire Party - ARP Pattern Number 38 - Red Screen Printed on Dark Blue). The screen-printed SFP letters look pristine, so I imagine this armlet was in stores and had the patch sewn on before issue. Both Supplementary and Street Fire Parties were reorganised within the Fire Guard Organisation from August 1941.  Fire Guard patch sewn onto an SFP armlet  SFP letters under Fire Guard Patch The ARP Pattern 65 white duffle coats are exceptionally rare. Introduced in 1943, the 39 oz. white cloth hip-length jackets featured a shawl collar, patch pockets and three toggles to the front closure. Photos show rank insignia worn on the sleeves. They were primarily worn by members of the Regional Columns within the Civil Defence Reserve. Just a few period photos show the jackets being worn. The one below is most likely the Overseas Column of the Civil Defence Reserve that went to Antwerp. The gentleman in the middle appears to be the same gentleman being presented to the King in this blog post.  Duffle Coat (Regional Columns) ARP Pattern 65  Civil Defence Reserve members wearing the white duffle coat The below air raid incident forms are dated 16 July 1944 at Lubeck Street (Battersea, London) and relate to the recovery of a man's body. The messages request a "shell" be sent to the incident. The messages mention a mortuary van and shell, and a subsequent message requests two "shells". I assume that shell is some sort of coffin or body bag but I have not come across the term. If you know anything about these "shells", please drop me a line. The casualty referenced in the reports may be Ernest Alexander Pettite, aged 44, of 3 Lubeck Street  Lubeck Street incident report 1  Lubeck Street incident report 2  Lubeck Street incident report 3 |
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