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The use of "A.R.P." letters written on wartime helmets is quite rare. The attached photo and article are from the rear of issue 13 of The Midnight Watch, the "Broadsheet of Britain's Fire Guard and Civil Defence Workers". An "ARP Officer" (with this designation written on his helmet) is inspecting a German Type E (i) incendiary bomb container.  "ARP Officer" Helmet Marking
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From the Wardens' Post report book for the night of 24 June 1941 with Warden Barbara Nixon on duty for the night shift: 22.00 On Duty Barbara Nixon 01-8 ARW Purple 01.20 Message from Control With reference to your message regarding recovery of property from Holford Sq. site, the instructions in our message of 10.55 hours on 23/6/41 must still be observed. Any departure from such instructions should be reported to Control where the matter will be passed to the appropriate person or department concerned. Time 01.15 02.50 ARW White 08.00 Off Duty B. Nixon The Purple warning related to all external factory lights being turned off and the glare from furnaces being masked. The White warning was "All Clear" sent to wardens' posts with the public informed via the 'All Clear' siren. Holford Square (to the east of King's Cross in London) was severely damaged by bombing and was condemned in 1946. In 1948, Finsbury Borough Council compulsorily purchased the entire area, levelled it and built blocks of flats on the site known as Bevin Court. As an aside, Vladimir Lenin and his wife lived at 30 Holford Square in 1902-03. In 1942, a memorial featuring a bust of Lenin (donated by the Soviet Embassy) was installed opposite number 30. Read more about the bust. Barbara Nixon also wrote Raiders Overhead: The Record Of A London Warden - a must read for anyone with the slightest interest in civil defence during the Second World War. I would like to thank Jon Mills for the page from the wardens' post report book.  A Single Night's Duty For Warden Barbara Nixon  A rarely seen photo of Barbara Nixon The image below shows a number of original WW2 badges relating to the Civil Defence Reserve: numeral tab badges (1 to 4), shoulder epaulette insignia (star), and shoulder flashes for mobile reserve formations. There are also printed CD and CDR beret badges. In the centre is a "M.O.W.B." (Ministry of Works and Buildings) badge with letters and a crown embroidered on blue cotton twill. Below this badge is a square civil defence badge. The CD armband is noted as "Armband Rank Marking". I have not seen the square Civil Defence badge in period photos. It may have been for the Civil Defence Reserve but no documentation is currently available to answer the question.  Numerals, beret badges, shoulder flashes and armband rank marking
Two axes (Axe, Civil Defence, ARP Pattern Number 55) were issued to Civil Defence members during the Second World War, one with an insulated rubberised handle (often marked as ARPAX A.R.P. 55) and the other with an ash wooden handle. Both would fit inside a white heavy cotton canvas carrier (Pouch for Axe, Civil Defence, ARP Pattern Number 56) that could be slung over the shoulder or attached to a belt.  ARP axes and canvas pouch  Ash-handled axe and pouch  Civil Defence axe ARPAX ARP 55 Below is a pre-war certificate issued by the Royal Burgh of Ayr (west coast of Scotland) to the Rev. Brodie S. Gilfillan following the completion of a training course to be an air raid warden. Image courtesy of Richard Duthie.  Royal Burgh of Ayr Wardens' Service Training Certificate |
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