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The Air Raid Defence League was established in February 1939, with an aim to force air raid defence as a national policy. The ARDL was open to all with an annual membership of a shilling. The ARDL sent out a monthly newsletter to members. The badge below was the second badge offered by the group (the first featured a union jack) following the incorporation of the National Association of Air Raid Wardens - the ARW standing for Air Raid Warden. With the outbreak of war the need for the group became unnecessary as air raid defence was then obviously of national importance.  Air Raid Defence League ARW (Air Raid Warden) Lapel Badge  Air Raid Defence League Publication August 1939 A large majority of the ARP Pattern 57 & 59 serge battledress jackets came with the CD breast badge sewn to the left breast pocket. The below image shows an original jacket with the method most commonly used to attach the badge. Individuals in areas that provided area markings could sewn them beneath this badge.  How The CD Breast Badge Was Attached To The Battledress An interesting first aid kit by Paragon that has been specifically created for ARP Wardens' Posts.  First Aid Outfit For ARP Post Barbara Nixon in 1943. She was one of the first women to be employed as a full-time Air Raid Warden in London. She was also an Instructor (badge on her collar) and Incident Officer (I.O. badge seen on her right sleeve). She was the author of "Raiders Overhead", an invaluable account of the Blitz in London. She is wearing the standard ARP Pattern 71 serge jacket/tunic and a rather snazzy (and unofficial) check shirt.  Barbara Nixon - WW2 ARP Warden, Incident Officer, Instructor And Author An interesting lot of insignia and letters is currently up on eBay. The grouping consists of a 'BRADFIELD R.D." area title, war service chevrons, CD breast badge, silver ARP lapel badge and two letters sent at the war's end.  Interesting WW2 Bradfield Rural District ARP Collection Four air raid wardens - possibly players - pose on the pitch at Highbury.  ARP Wardens At Arsenal FC A poster advising people about where they can shelter with their dog if caught out in a raid.  NARPAC Poster Regarding Dogs And Air Raid Shelters A chart detailing how Bexhill's ARP Scheme was organised during WW2. It clearly shows how complex the whole system was. Image Bexhill Museum Trust.  WW2 Bexhill ARP Scheme An interesting photo showing the rescue of a dog. The white helmet on the right is most interesting as he has both the ARP breast badge as well as the 'R London' badge on the pocket of his bluette overalls. The photo is said to be from 1940 which tallies with the overalls and lack of the serge battledress. I currently don't know the exact date that the 'R London' badge was introduced but going by this photo is was quite early in the war.  Early-WW2 London Rescue Squad A very good quality portrait of an air raid warden in the early bluette overalls. The area marking title is for Walthamstow.  Early WW2 ARP Warden In Bluette Overalls I'd like to thank Stevan Chambers for contacting me and allowing me to share this photo of an original WW2 St John Ambulance Brigade uniform. The yellow ARP sleeve patch turns up from time to time but it is excellent to see this on an actual uniform. Next challenge is to find a WW2 photo of it being worn. Visit original Instagram post  WW2 St John Ambulance Brigade Yellow ARP Sleeve Badge A 1939-dated St. Paul's Watch lapel badge. The cathedral in the heart of London has it's own special warden service that patrolled the cathedral during the war. They dealt with incendiary bombs and notified the London Fire Brigade about fires and the bomb disposal authority about any UXBs. Read more about the St. Paul's Watch  WW2 St. Paul's Watch - Cathedral Air Raid Warden Lapel Badge A Messenger holds the cap from a German parachute mine. Thought to be from the Walthamstow area of London and taken in 1940. Photo copyright of Footsteps Photograpghs, Flickr.  ARP Messenger With German Parachute Mine Cap A selection of quite scarce Civil Defence armbands are coming to auction on January 12 (in Holland unfortunately). Looks to be a number of Rest Centre variations. I've not seen the "Person In Charge" before. Ignore the yellow armband as that is post-war. Not sure about the blue and white check armband - possibly police/post war or, and this is a bit of a guess, Incident Officer related as they had a similar design on flags put up at air raid incidents  Scarce Civil Defence Armbands This form was to be used by Gas Identification Officers (GIO) to report on the dropping of chemical and gas weapons. Thankfully, it was never called upon to be used.  WW2 ARP Gas Identification Officer (GIO) Report Form A somewhat peculiar serge jacket has appeared on eBay. I initially thought it was an example of the austerity pattern serge jacket with the exposed buttons but the breasts pockets are not correct. ARP jackets do not have pleats on the pockets (no breast badge could be affixed to jackets with pocket pleats like this). The jacket has a CC41 label and a part manufacturer label with possibly 'Newfoundland' written on it. I'm assuming this is a work jacket similar to the civilian work jacket that can be seen on the IWM site. If you know more, please let me know.  An interesting pair of qualification certificates for a husband and wife in the Bristol area. Both had undertaken the training prior to the war and the lady had completed hers in October 1938.  Husband & Wife Air Raid Warden Certificates, Bristol An interesting film from 1941 showing Winston Churchill (wittering on with a piss-poor speech it has to be said) and members of various Civil Defence groups - LAAS, Wardens, Stretcher Parties, WVS and firemen. A good reference piece for uniforms and I've grabbed a few of the better close up shots. A mixed collection of shoulder titles has cropped up on an auction site. A number of the 'old gold' look of second world war vintage. The Pioneer, Welfare and Signals and anything that's very yellow are post war.  WW2 And Post-War Civil Defence Shoulder Titles An interesting certificate for a Mrs Winifred Peachey from Brize Norton. She has successfully passed the Instructor course for Local Air Raid Precautions Training and could now impart that knowledge to others. You don't see many ladies wearing the LARP badge and the certificate has 'him' struck out and 'her' inserted in its place.  1944 Local Air Raid Precautions (LARP) Instructor Training Certificate A nice studio portrait of an ARP Senior Warden (two yellow chevrons to sleeve) possibly from the Birmingham area. She is wearing the standard issue ARP Pattern 71 serge jacket but has a private purchase side cap with two ARP chrome buttons to front closure.  1944 Studio Portrait Of A WW2 ARP Warden This image is captioned as Mrs Iris Cynthia (no surname) of Kennington in the Lambeth borough of London but I cannot find any further information at this time.. It's very interesting as it is shows for the first time the use of District Wardens rank insignia (two red bars and diamond) on what initially looks like an ambulance drivers' coat. However, the buckle is not correct for that coat. It could be a private purchase wrap-over style item to which she has added insignia to. She has a 'DW' - District Warden - helmet.  WW2 ARP District Warden - Lambeth Here's wishing you and your families a very happy Christmas and the very best for the year ahead. And a special thank you to everyone that sent me an ARP-related photo or message during the year.  WW2 ARP Christmas Greetings Civil Defence personnel stationed at first aid posts usually had 'FAP' on their helmets. This example (currently on eBay) has a variation with '1st Aid Post'. I've seen shoulder titles with this so having it on a helmet, although rare, is probably to be expected. The two inch black bar denotes a senior leader at the post.  WW2 ARP "1st AID POST" Helmet |
AuthorNews about interesting insignia, ARP related info and period photos that turn up. Archives
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