Area markings often go for good prices online as evidenced by the recent sale of this Ruislip-Northwood example which sold for £58.50 (incl. shipping).
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When not wearing a helmet, all wardens and members of the Civil Defence Services were issued with either a beret or ski cap as part of their uniform (there was also a felt hat issued in the early part of the war). Many wartime photographs show the wearing of private purchase sidecaps; some are piped in yellow and others are unpiped. The below shows a black wool sidecap the piping to just the upper part of the sidecap and features the embroidered CD badge. The front closure features two unmarked buttons.
An armband for a member of a Rescue & Demolition squad. These squads, mainly comprised of builders and carpenters, would later be reorganised into Rescue Squads and then further divided into Light Rescue and Heavy Rescue teams (the latter here more in line with the shoring and demolition of buildings).
A similar design of armband in blue has been noted for an "Assistant To Controller" (see the bottom of this page). A diagram of the helmets and insignia worn by Civil Defence personnel in London early in the war. I'm unsure of the source of this and the helmets, esp. the white ones, don't follow the listed ranks for some posts = esp. the thin and wide bars for Post Warden and Deputy Post Warden. Also, I've not come across the sleeve insignia of a Deputy Post Warden designated by the absence of a diamond.
As the Allies advanced across Europe in late 1944, the need for a fully manned Wardens' Service within the Civil Defence Services was waning. Elsewhere, by the end of 1944, the Home Guard would be stood down entirely.
This Certificate of Release from the end of November 1944 details the release of a warden from his duties in in Glamorgan. Mr Cramb had joined the Wardens' Service in January 1943 and I am assuming he was a volunteer and not a paid warden. The reason for the release is stated as "Reduction in Authorised Establishment". Interestingly, it was sent by the Chief Constable in Cardiff. The entirety of the Civil Defence Services would be stood down in May of 1945. |
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