WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia, Helmets and Equipment
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Gabardine Coat
    • Waterproof Cape
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret & Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands / Armlets
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Anti-Gas Training Posters
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Air Raid Histories
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
    • Donate

Woolwich ARP Controller Appointment Card

6/30/2023

0 Comments

 
Here's a rare an item, the appointment card belonging to David Jenkins, the Town Clerk and ARP Controller of the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich (in south-east London). It appears he's signed his own card as Town Clerk. Not sure why the CIVIL DEFENCE wording has been crossed out in red ink. The card is from a grouping on eBay in which the photographs that accompany this card are photographs from the 1950s. I assume the card is wartime though as I am not aware of similar cards being issued post war. If you know more, get in touch.
Woolwich ARP Controller Appointment Card
Woolwich ARP Controller Appointment Card
0 Comments

ARP Warden Badge for Thomas William Lench Ltd Blackheath, Birmingham

6/28/2023

0 Comments

 
Here's a nicely designed badge issued by Birmingham based Thomas William Lench Ltd., who made the 'ADMIRAL' brand bolts and fittings. The bolts making up the central part of the badge's design. The company had a large factory in the Blackheath area of Birmingham and a 1939 photo of the factory can be viewed here. The badge has no maker mark to the rear.
ARP Warden Badge for Thomas William Lench Ltd Blackheath, Birmingham
ARP Warden Badge for Thomas William Lench Ltd Blackheath, Birmingham
0 Comments

Bombing of the Cinderella Dancing Club, Putney, 7 November 1943

6/14/2023

2 Comments

 
Personal recollections of air attacks bring home the devastation they caused. Jon Mills has shared the story of how his mother narrowly missed being killed on the evening of 7 November, 1943.

Aged 23 at the time, Jon’s mother was on her way to the Cinderella Dancing Club in Putney that evening when the air raid alert sounded. During the day she worked in Wandsworth Town Hall issuing ration books and identity cards but was also scheduled for part-time work in the Civil Defence Control Room and was due to be on duty that night if the siren sounded. She turned around and reported for duty, an act that probably saved her life.

The Cinderella Dancing Club was located on the corner of Putney High Street and Putney Bridge Road. It is thought a Focke-Wulf FW-190 A-4 (on a so-called ‘tip-and-run’ raid) carrying a single 250kg high-explosive bomb was possibly aiming for Putney Bridge but released the bomb late and hit the dancehall at 2102 hours.
​
The dancehall, a milk bar below the dance floor, shops and the surrounding streets were busy and the bomb devastated the area. The aftermath of the attack left 81 dead and nearly 250 injured – the largest loss of life in a single incident in the Putney area during the war. The Civil Defence services were on site quickly and a local depot that contained several large ambulances relayed the injured to several local hospitals.
Press photo of damage to the Cinderella Dancing Club, Putney, 7 November 1943
Press photo of damage to the Cinderella Dancing Club, Putney, 7 November 1943
John Hinde's colour photo of an incident officer at the Putney bombing
John Hinde's colour photo of an incident officer at the Putney bombing
The Emirs Feisal and Khalid of Saudi Arabia visit the scene of the attack in Putney
The Emirs Feisal and Khalid of Saudi Arabia visit the scene of the attack in Putney
2 Comments

WW2 Putney Trailer Pump Squad

6/13/2023

0 Comments

 
An interesting photo of a trailer pump squad from Putney, London shared by Jon Mills. The badge on the overalls says "Trailer Pump" and the ladies have Zuckerman helmets and what appear to be private purchase overalls (they appear to be a different cut to standard bluette overalls and have the revolving shank buttons). 
WW2 Putney Trailer Pump Squad
WW2 Putney Trailer Pump Squad
0 Comments

Types of ARP buttons used on Civil Defence uniforms

6/12/2023

0 Comments

 
There are two distinct types of the larger-sized ARP button - one with a "dish" (concave) rear and the other has a convex profile. The manufacturing method also looks to be different as the dish buttons have a prominent shine to them. The buttons on the central opening of my original bluette overalls have the "dish" style and I assume all loose dish ARP buttons come from the overalls (the examples I have all appear to have been made by Firmin). The convex style of buttons I assume were sewn to ARP Pattern 42 (Ladies' Warden Coat), Pattern 43 ambulance coat  and ARP Pattern 71 tunic as well as greatcoats.

Note: only the larger size buttons have this difference. All smaller sized ARP buttons appear to have the same style (convex).
Two types of ARP buttons used on Civil Defence uniforms (front)
Two types of ARP buttons used on Civil Defence uniforms (front)
Two types of ARP buttons used on Civil Defence uniforms (rear)
Two types of ARP buttons used on Civil Defence uniforms (rear)
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Please support this website's running costs and keep it advert free
    Donate

    Categories

    All
    Armband
    Badge
    Book
    Document
    Equipment
    Fake
    Film
    First Aid
    Game
    Helmet
    Insignia
    Medal
    Painting
    Photograph
    Poster
    Re-enactors
    Shelter
    Sign
    Toy
    Uniform
    Vehicle

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    RSS Feed

Home
Uniforms
​Insignia
Helmets
Equipment
Fire Guard
​Resources
​Buyers' Guide​
About
Blog
Pound sterling logo
Support website
E-Mail contact icon
Contact

Copyright © 2018–2025
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Gabardine Coat
    • Waterproof Cape
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret & Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands / Armlets
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Anti-Gas Training Posters
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Air Raid Histories
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
    • Donate