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I've posted this image before on the blog, but this photo is better quality. The rear of this particular photo says "Mobile Unit at Middlesex Hospital", but previously it was recorded as being taken in the London Bridge area. The photo shows Miss Rushton, a British Red Cross volunteer from Lewisham. It's one of the rare photos showing a woman wearing the men's battledress. Additionally, she has the helmet lamp and battery back. I now believe the badge on the flap of her right pocket (on the left as we view) may be similar to the St John Ambulance Brigade badge recently covered on this blog.  Female Lewisham ARP Member Wearing Battledress  Insignia worn on battledress
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I would like to thank Paul Dore who recently contacted me regarding the St John Ambulance Brigade 'badge' that had been used as a breast badge on a Civil Defence battledress blouse. He pointed out that the badge in question began life as a The St John Ambulance Brigade armband. The emblem having been cut down and used on the BD pocket.
Although the badge cannot be seen in detail, I am presuming that this Incident Officer Warden is wearing the oblong old gold on black 'INSTRUCTOR' badge. The gentleman to the left possibly has the CD breast badge issued for wear on gabardine coats on his battledress blouse, something I don't believe I've seen before.  Civil Defence 'Instructor' Sleeve Insignia This Despatch Rider DR sleeve patch recently appeared on the tat bazaar along with a printed Messenger shoulder title. Although not officially sanctioned, a number of examples (and here) are known to exist and an example is present in the National Archives files. This one has a much deeper gold colour and does have quite a messy rear, which sometimes can point towards an item being a reproduction.  Civil Defence Despatch Rider Sleeve Insignia Following on from yesterday's blog concerning first aid badges, a regular contributor to this blog supplied the image below. The young gentleman shown is wearing a "NEWCASTLE FIRST AID" badge below his ARP breast badge.  WW2 Civil Defence "Newcastle First Aid" Badge |
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