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ARP Industrial Bulletin No.4 includes a section covering helmet markings (factories were to follow this outline but add their business name above the service letters, hence the slightly smaller height of the service letters at 1 and 1½ inches). As per Home Security Circular No. 139/1942 dated 9th July, 1942 a standard system of marking helmets for Civil Defence General Services under the control of Local Authorities was issued (it followed much of the standard set in London). Omitted from this list are the markings for Fire Services.
Service Lettering on Helmets
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A group portrait of a Rescue & Demolition Party probably taken early in the war (or even pre-war) going by the complete lack of uniforms on show (they have respirator carriers, helmets, armbands and ARP badges visible). On the right wearing the armband is the Leader of the Rescue Party. Helmets feature the letters "R & D". Location unknown. Rescue Parties like this were usually manned by 10 volunteers drawn from various trades such as carpenters and builders or council workmen. They had responsibility for extricating people (or bodies) from bombed buildings, rendering first aid and also shoring up or demolishing bomb-damaged buildings. The role of the Rescue Parties evolved through the war with Light and Heavy Rescue Parties developing: Image courtesy of Jon Mills.  Early-War Rescue & Demolition Party A female volunteer stands in front of a Mobile Unit, the fender has a triangle with "FAP" for First Aid Post. The vehicle would have contained all the supplies for setting up a temporary First Aid Post at an incident. Above the MU on the side of the vehicle, there looks to be S.R.D.C. (the D.C. is probably District Council). The name "Porter, Putt & Fletcher" on the sign relates to a business in the Gravesend area (north Kent). My knowledge of wartime vehicles is poor but if you know the name of the vehicle post a comment. Image courtesy of Jonathan O'Keeffe.  Mobile Unit FAP (First Aid Post) Vehicle A recent blog from Adrian Blake posed the question about the many stories that have arisen about the use of non-metal helmets in ordnance factories during the second world war. Below is a letter from August 1940 detailing there was "...a proposal to supply women in munition factories with bakelite helmets." Unfortunately, we don't have any of the previous or follow-up letters about this. We don't know, for example, if a specific request had been made for non-metal helmets due to the risks of sparking accidents. However, it does highlight that non-metal helmets were being requested within ordnance factories. Other documents also mention the use of non-metal helmets being issued to war workers to wear during an air raid alert. They could wear a helmet whilst continuing to work until sent to the shelters. I imagine wearing a lighter helmet was a more comfortable option. This doesn't put to bed the myth of non-sparking helmets but it certainly adds more detail and opens further research opportunities. Thanks go to Chris Ransted for the image.  Letter regarding Bakelite helmet use in munition factories The Civilian Protective Helmet (CPH) was designed specifically for use by civilians during the Second World War. The nickname – Zuckerman – was taken from one of its inventors, Solly Zuckerman (it remains uncertain if this name was used during the war years); the other designers were Hugh Cairns and Derman Christopherson.  The Civilian Protective Helmet - Zuckerman - being introduced in February 1941 to the general public In October of 1940 the Ministry of Home Security noted the need for a new helmet for use by civilians. The CPH was chosen as the helmet to go in manufacture. The helmet was to be offered to the general public and businesses and the CPH would later became the main helmet issued to the Fire Guard Organisation of volunteer firefighters. Production commenced towards the end of 1940 and progressed into 1941 (though 1940-dated examples are much harder to find). The Treasury signed off on the expenditure of some £2,050,000 in November 1941 for the manufacture of a further 10,050,000 CPHs. The helmet was introduced in February 1941 (see publicity photo above) and general distribution appears to have commenced from mid-1941. Documents detail several names for the helmet being initially utilised: Industrial Helmet, Civilian Type Helmet, Alpine Helmet, Civilian Steel Helmet, New Protective Helmet, Civilian Grade 3, Steel Helmet-Home Security Pattern and of course ultimately the Civilian Protective Helmet. The high crown was designed to crumple under impact from falling debris. No chinstrap was issued (although two strap loops were fitted which differed in design across the manufacturers). A large number of manufacturers are seen on liners issued. The liner’s design and positioning were such that a chinstrap was not considered necessary (although several commercial chinstraps were for sale). The small holes in the brim, front and back, were used to run a wire through, holding piles of 10 helmets together for transit or storage. The holes around the crown were slightly angled enabling the helmet to sit lower at the rear. However, period photos often see the helmet worn back-to-front but it was more comfortable for the wearer (especially for women with a lot of hair). The helmet came in three parts: the shell, the liner (available in six sizes) and a lace to hold one to the other. The lace was threaded through the holes in the helmet and loops on the liner. It was a simple process that avoided the need to use helmet bolts and more expensive helmet liners. There was also an instruction leaflet on the assembly and fitting of the helmet.  Leaflet included with the Civilian Protective Helmet (Zuckerman) The helmets were made in two sizes either marked M (medium) or L (large) with three liners in different sizes for each helmet size. Several manufacturers received orders to produce the helmets causing different rims: rolled under, rolled up and a separate rim strip (the latter made by Rubery Owen).
Distribution demands were enormous and records suggest that whilst manufacture commenced in 1941 it took until early to mid-1942 for the helmets to be finally issued. It was sold to the general public for five shillings and sixpence. The slow release was caused by issues over pricing, who should pay (businesses or their staff), ordering processes, transport, storage and prioritisation. CPHs were issued in one colour only – grey – but many were painted white with black bands added for ranks within the Fire Guard Organisation. Some helmets carry the names and logos of companies as part of their ARP commitment. A great number of CPHs can be found marked with “FG” (Fire Guard) or “SFP” (Street or Supplementary Fire Party). Before manufacture ceased some 10 million Civilian Protective Helmets had been produced. Archives also show that consideration was given to a CPH being used as a helmet and visor. Two eye holes were to be drilled 2½ inches apart above the brim and the helmet was to be pulled down over the forehead. This idea was discontinued as it was felt that the improved frontal protection left the rear of the head dangerously exposed. When the Government was looking at plastic as a possible helmet solution, experiments were undertaken with plastic CPHs and at one stage coloured plastics were even considered with pink being suggested “for the ladies”. The plastic CPHs did not progress when it became clear that the new production processes were slow and costly. To date, no examples of the coloured plastic test CPH models appear to have survived. Whilst the CPH is generally overlooked by helmet collectors it is regularly found on Second World War Home Front re-enactor displays. Overall, although not one of the best-looking helmets produced during the war, it no doubt saved many lives. I am obliged to Adrian Blake for content and Nigel Abram for the images. |
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