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How a person painted service letters on their helmet could show their individuality (and artistic skill). Whilst some commercial businesses provided water-slide transfers for helmets (W for warden, etc.), many painted their own. Most went for the simple block white (or black) painted letter. However, the below 'F.A.P.' example shows someone who put a little more time and effort into their lettering; the result is a clever shadow effect.  3D shadow lettering on FAP helmet
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The use of "A.R.P." letters written on wartime helmets is quite rare. The attached photo and article are from the rear of issue 13 of The Midnight Watch, the "Broadsheet of Britain's Fire Guard and Civil Defence Workers". An "ARP Officer" (with this designation written on his helmet) is inspecting a German Type E (i) incendiary bomb container.  "ARP Officer" Helmet Marking Members of various Civil Defence services pose for a photo during an ARP exercise somewhere in Manchester in 1941. We have four double-diamond helmets; three white helmets for Decontamination (DC), Casualty Service (CS) and Rescue (R) plus a yellow-helmeted Gas Identification Service (GIS). The Rescue Squad Leader also has a peculiar armband. The two gents are the right are from a Rescue Squad and the gentleman far left has a Civil Defence armband. A few bluette overalls are being worn by the Decontamination and Rescue Leaders and the gent on the far left. Image from the Manchester Libraries collection (CC BY 40).  Members of various Manchester-based Civil Defence services during an ARP exercise, 1941  Detail of four Civil Defence helmets with two diamonds A rare survivor is this REGIONAL COLUMN helmet. See this page about the Civil Defence Reserve (Mobile Reserve & Regional Columns). The helmet sold for £135 (incl. shipping) on eBay, in February 2025.  Regional Column Helmet A fine study of a typical early-war ARP Warden. This unnamed gentleman is wearing bluette overalls with the oval ARP breast badge plus a LAMBETH area title. His whistle is attached to a white lanyard. He has the standard black helmet with a white 'W'.  Lambeth ARP Warden |
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