Members of the Civil Defence Services were entitled to reduced fares on public transport. This particular ticket is marked "CIVIL DEFENCE WORKER" and is a Third Class return between New Cross and Orpington. Not sure what the red "SA" refers to.
0 Comments
Another ARP equipment catalogue but with a rather snazzy front cover. Contains all the usual ARP equipment plus towed fire appliances. Avidly collected these days.
A most interesting pre-war (possibly 1938) catalogue of air raid and fire protection appliances and equipment has cropped up on eBay. Published by Roberts, McLean Co. Ltd it includes a vast array of items for ARP and fire services. These catalogues are extremely interesting and this one has copious illustrations. A most unique item and will be sought after by collectors. Would make a great reference source for equipment.
UPDATE: I received a couple of replies to this blog. One said that Worcester Park was in the borough of Epsom & Ewell. However, another email said Worcester Park is split between the extreme north west of the London Borough of Sutton in Greater London (east of the railway line that runs through the area) and part of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey (west of the railway). So, it's possible the below could be correct. A peculiar-looking area title has been noted over the years. It looks suspiciously like a Civil Defence area title but has the rather esoteric "9b. S.C." on it (see below). A few collectors have come across it but there is no definitive answer to the origin. One recently sold on eBay (amongst a collection of other mainly CD items). I asked on Facebook about this insignia and someone was kind enough to point out that the seller was also selling some paperwork belonging to a warden from Worcester Park. Worcester park is at the very north of the county of Surrey. It would appear from this map on the IWM that Worcester Park was inside the borough of Sutton & Cheam (S.C.?). Lastly, Sutton & Cheam are part of Group 9 of the organisation of Civil Defence in London. Additionally, it is part of the sub-group of Group 9. Lots of supposition but possibly an answer (or complete billhooks). However, why on earth did they go for such an esoteric name in the first place?
Thanks to Nicholas Mayweather for the steer. Area titles are some of the most interesting pieces of insignia issued to Civil Defence workers during the second world war. Within CD Region 5 - London - there were dozens of local authorities that issued area titles. Most of the Metropolitan Boroughs and Boroughs issued titles with their name - e.g. Lewisham or Wembley, some Urban Districts added UD after the name. Understanding the various naming of local authorities is complicated (this author is still currently unsure what the difference between a 'borough' and "metropolitan borough" is...) London was designated as Civil Defence Region No. 5 (of 12 across England, Scotland and Wales). It was split into nine groups –
Key MB – Metropolitan Borough (28 administrative subdivisions of the County of London plus City of London) UD – Urban District (local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected urban district council (UDC), which shared local government responsibilities with a county council) B – Borough CB – County Borough (independent of county council) RD – Rural District (authority over matters such as local planning, council housing, and playgrounds and cemeteries. Matters such as education and major roads were the responsibility of the county council) Group 1
Chelsea MB, Fulham MB, Hammersmith MB, Kensington MB, City of Westminster Group 2 Hampstead MB, Islington MB, Paddington MB, St. Marylebone MB, St. Pancras MB, Stoke Newington MB Group 3 City of London, Bethnal Green MB, Finsbury MB, Hackney MB, Holborn MB, Poplar MB, Shoreditch MB, Stepney MB Group 4 Bermondsey MB, Deptford MB, Greenwich MB, Lewisham MB, Woolwich MB Group 5 Battersea MB, Camberwell MB, Lambeth MB, Southwark MB, Wandsworth MB Group 6 - Sub-Group A Edmonton B, Hornsey B, Southgate B, Tottenham B, Wood Green B, Cheshunt UD, East Barnet UD, Enfield UD Group 6 - Sub-Group B Finchley B, Hendon B, Barnet UD, Friern Barnet UD, Potters Bar UD, Elstree RD Group 6 - Sub-Group C Acton B, Ealing B, Southall B, Wembley B, Willesden B, Bushey UD, Harrow UD, Ruislip-Northwood UD, Uxbridge UD Group 6 - Sub-Group D Brentford & Chiswick B, Heston & Isleworth B, Twickenham B, Feltham B, Hayes & Harlington UD, Staines UD, Sunbury-on-Thames UD, Yiewsley & West Drayton UD Group 7 (Essex) East Ham CB, West Ham CB, Barking B, Chingford B, Dagenham B, Ilford B, Leyton B, Walthamstow B, Wanstead & Woodford B, Chigwell UD, Waltham Holy Cross UD Group 8 (Kent) Beckenham B, Bexley B, Bromley B, Erith B, Chislehurst & Sidcup UD, Crayford UD, Orpington UD, Penge UD Group 9 (Surrey) Barnes B, Epsom & Ewell B, Kingston-upon-Thames B, Malden & Coombe B, Richmond B, Surbiton B, Wimbledon B, Esher UD, Merton & Morden UD Group 9 sub-group Croydon CB, Beddington & Wallingford B, Mitcham B, Sutton & Cheam B, Banstead UD, Carshalton UD, Coulsdon & Purley UD |
Please support this website's running costs and keep it advert free
Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|