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A very interesting stand-down photo showing personnel drawn from various Civil Defence Services and first aid societies. Interestingly, a number of the ladies with ski caps have added the small 'CD' beret badge to the peaked caps which is not often seen. The gentlemen (all senior ranks) and the lady warden at the front have all qualified as Incident Officers - each has the script-style 'IO' badge on the left forearm. They also have five war service chevrons. The lady warden in the front row has also qualified as an instructor - she has the badge pinned to her collar of her Pattern 71 tunic. Interesting array of whistle lanyards with some on the right shoulder and some on the left. The lady on the bottom row, second from left, appears to be a Civil Nursing Reserve member with a most peculiar piece of headwear, I believe the other two ladies (not including the ARP lady) are British Red Cross Society members. I am unsure what service the ladies either side of the nurse are from.  Epping Forest ARP & First Aid Personnel © Epping Forest District Museum
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Thousands of postcards were made during the war that tied into the current events. There are dozens and dozens about the blackout and ARP. The below tickled my fancy...  Put That (Hitler) Light Out!!! WW2 Postcard Four City of London Stretcher Party members in anti-gas oilskins attend a lecture at an evacuated school.  City of London Stretcher Party Goes Back to School A smart line of CD personnel from the north west of England during the Civil Defence Services farewell parade in Hyde Park, 1945. Members from across the country headed to the event, which the King and Queen attended. The photo shows clear evidence that the ARP breast badge was worn through to the end of the war, as several men here have it displayed. Interestingly, both junior and senior supervisory roles intermingled. They have also all been given gaiters to wear. Various styles of beret are also seen, with both the ARP badge and CD badge being worn. Several men also have instructors' badges - see detailed image.  Stand Down of the Civil Defence Services, 1945  Detail showing Civil Defence insgnia and instructors' badges An article from the front page of issue 13 of The Midnight Watch (the Broadsheet of Britain's Fire Guard and Civil Defence Workers). I look forward to seeing this device on the re-enacting scene this summer...  Device for Attacking Hidden Incendiary Bombs |
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