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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).  Ruislip-Northwood Civil Defence Area Marking
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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.  Civil Defence Yellow-Piped Sidecap  Civil Defence Yellow-Piped Sidecap (Right)
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.  Early War Civil Defence Helmets & Insignia in London The embroidered Messenger badge was recently sold on eBay. The general shape and style is similar to the area markings/titles used by various Civil Defence regions. Not something I had seen before and there were a few comments regarding the authenticity of the badge on forums. My $0.02 was I thought it was original and more than likely issued for use by someone working with the fire services during the war. It was sold along with a red thread oval ARP breast badge but it's uncertain if the badges were originally together.  Red Area Title Style MESSENGER Badge An interesting photo from Coltishall in north-east Norfolk. Possibly a stand-down photo (going by the five war service chevrons in evidence), the chap in the centre appears to have "D.A.O" on his white helmet with single black bar. He also has the three chevrons and a star which would denote a Depot Superintendent. He's with several ambulance personnel so perhaps DAO is Deputy Ambulance Officer or Depot Ambulance Officer; quite a rare helmet designation. He and a few of the Rescue men also have a single six-pointed star on the left sleeve. I'm unaware of the meaning of this. The stars look the same size as those that would appear above rank chevrons. A local-specific award by the look. Image courtesy of John Parnell.  Coltishall Ambulance and Rescue Squad Group Photo |
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