A number of the armbands issued by Warwickshire's local authorities have been listed on this blog previously, but I have not seen this dark blue "ARP ROAD REPAIR SERVICE" before. It is listed amongst a number of Civil Defence badges including a red chevron. Of all the badges issued during the war some of the hardest to find and to be quite certain about are the early red chevrons issued to rescue and decontamination squad leaders.
The below armband, badges and insignia are currently on eBay and generating quite a bit of interest.
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An interesting grouping of Civil Defence and ARP insignia is coming to auction on 7 June. A rare District Warden armband is included (looks like it has had some adaptation with a buckle having been added) as well as four sleeve ranks badges. Also in the grouping are a couple of rare I.O. (Incident Officer) sleeves badges in the London script style and a St. John Ambulance Association first aid badge. Additionally, a pair of Fire Guard Sector Captain's shoulder titles are included. A nice little grouping for the Potters Bar area.
The lot (#1396) can be viewed on Cadman Auctions. A very interesting photo of a Home Guard platoon from Lyminge. Quite rare to see Civil Defence defence personnel wearing webbing and with rifles (Lee-Enfield No. 4 rifles). Members of the Home Guard could also serve in the Wardens' Service and they would wear shoulder titles for both. They would wear the KT and 7 insignia and a few appear to have the East Kent District insignia (featuring the White Cliffs and Dover Castle). Chap in the centre is a lieutenant with a sergeant to the left (wearing the stripes). The insignia on the left sleeve in a red HG proficiency award.
The Home Guard was stood down in late 1944 and it's possible the photo dates from this period. They also have four war service chevrons on their right sleeve. All bar one are wearing the austerity pattern battledress with exposed buttons. Photo credit via Dave Harman. Portrait of a member of the Mobile Reserve from West Sussex. The Mobile Reserve was created early in the war to provide a rapid response convoy to attend at incidents. It was copied elsewhere as the Regional Columns in the 12 Civil Defence regions. The badge features "W.S." & "C.C." (West Sussex County Council), the county emblem (six martlets or heraldic swallows on a shield) and "MOBILE RESERVE".
The photo along, with another of the same gentleman, is currently on eBay. 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. |
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