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Colour film from Sevenoaks shows what looks like a stand down parade with various members of the CD and First Aid shown. Of particular interest is the gentlemen shown below. He appears to be wearing an austerity pattern battledress with Sevenoaks area title. On his sleeve are three narrow bars for a Divisional / District Warden, but I think the shoulder title may be "Report & Control". He also has Home Guard sergeant's stripes (other CD members in the film are shown wearing single and double Home Guard rank chevrons on their sleeves) and a red diamond with small bar below Home Guard Proficiency Badge on his lower left sleeve. The HG proficiency badge was initially worn on the lower right sleeve until moved after May/June 1944 so War Service Chevrons could be worn in that position. There is also something on his epaulettes, probably slip on HG (Home Guard) tabs. The Home Guard had been stood down at the end of 1944. Extremely rare to see this combination especially in a colour film. View the film on Screen Archive South East and the gentlemen in question appears at the 15:20 mark. Thanks to Nick Wall for the information on the Home Guard insignia.  Sevenoaks Civil Defence District Warden / Home Guard Sgt.
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A short film from Birmingham showing Consol Shelters being tested. One of the best films I have seen is this example shot in Burnley in November 1941. It covers a wealth of the Civil Defence Services - the ARP, Fire, Ambulance/First Aid and Police - as they deal with various incidents. A large number of helmets are shown and there are some oddities amongst them. a plain white helmet, a plain white helmet with just a small diamond, a black helmet with two different styles of W front and back, and one with a very large W. Examples of Shelter Warden (SW) as well as SM (which I assumed was Shelter Marshal but here acts like a Messenger). Even though late in 1941, the majority of shots show bluette and civilian clothes. Just one pieve of film early on shows a battledress being worn. Well worth taking the time to watch this film.  Two Lady Wardens in Burnley, 1941 A fantastic colour film entitled "War Weapons Week 1942". Includes shots of various Civil Defence services (wardens, FAP, ambulance), WVS volunteers, Home Guard, ARP nurses, Fire Services and other groups in Bearsden, northwest of Glasgow. Some excellent shots of Fire Guard members all kitted out in Zuckerman helmets. A dignitary called Sir Steven Bilsland is seen in a couple of clips inspecting the services. He has a white helmet with red lettering, but it's not clear what it says. He also appears to have a gold coloured armband with silver Civil Defence rainbow. Also of note is the OPX (an observation post) - at the 6.30 mark - being manned by a couple of chief wardens (three diamonds on white helmets). A great piece of film that's worth watching in its entirety.  Sir Steven Bilsland inspecting Fire Guard members This remarkable 1943 colour film shows various Civil Defence Services undertaking training demostrations. First there's a First Aid Party retrieving a casualty from a bunker. This is followed by a demonstration of fire fighting in front of dignitaries included Home Secretary Herbert Morrison. The Wardens' Service, Fire Guard and fire services are involved. The final chapter covers Home Guard. The film is free to watch via the BFI website |
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