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The ARP Pattern 65 white duffle coats are exceptionally rare. Introduced in 1943, the 39 oz. white cloth hip-length jackets featured a shawl collar, patch pockets and three toggles to the front closure. Photos show rank insignia worn on the sleeves. They were primarily worn by members of the Regional Columns within the Civil Defence Reserve. Just a few period photos show the jackets being worn. The one below is most likely the Overseas Column of the Civil Defence Reserve that went to Antwerp. The gentleman in the middle appears to be the same gentleman being presented to the King in this blog post.  Duffle Coat (Regional Columns) ARP Pattern 65  Civil Defence Reserve members wearing the white duffle coat
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Nine portraits showing the uniforms worn by members of the Civil Defence Services during WW2.  Uniform Portraits of the Civil Defence The daughter of a Civil Defence Despatch Rider recently contacted me. She had donated her father James McMahon's battledress to a museum in Nuneaton. Of interest is the shoulder title featuring "DESPTACH RIDER". I have seen a photo of a messenger despatch rider with the winged wheel and 'DR' badge and I've seen separate shoulder titles but have not seen them on an original BD blouse before. The battledress also has the cotton twill area title for Birmingham and the Royal Life Saving Society badge. The battledress is held at Grant WW2 Museum.  Birmingham Civil Defence Despatch Rider's shoulder titles
Outfits worn by ARP motorcyclists early in the war. The man's photos are dated as 1939 and the woman's as 1941 but the outfits look identical. The man is wearing a Coat Waterproof (Pattern No. P.O. 13), Leggings Waterproof (Pattern No. P.O. 12), Gloves (Pattern No. P.O. 2) and Goggles (ARP Pattern No. 40) The woman wears a Jacket Waterproof (ARP Pattern No. 85) and Leggings Waterproof (ARP Pattern No. 86).  ARP Motorcyclist Uniform 1939  ARP Motorcyclist Uniform 1941
Photograph of a Group Officer of No. 1 Overseas Column of the Civil Defence Reserve (CDR). He is being presented to the King following the stand-down of the Civil Defence General Services in 1945. A previous blog post provided details of the operation of this unit in Antwerp in 1945. It would appear that Newman is wearing a bespoke uniform. The battledress blouse, similar to an austerity pattern, is tailored and has black plastic CD buttons to the front closure, breast pockets and epaulettes. His trousers are tailored and omit the front map pocket, as seen on the gentleman to his right (our left). He is also wearing a British Army Pattern 37 belt. His insignia is very interesting: 1. CDR beret badge 2. Group Officer six-pointed star within a circle on his epaulette - see this page for ranks 3. C.D.R. Overseas Column shoulder title 4. Numeral 1 for No. 1 unit CDR 5. Screen-printed 21st Army Group group flash shield - see this blog post 6. Ribbon bar (I assume from World War One) 7. Standard embroidered CD breast badge The gentleman next to him is wearing the NORTHERN IRELAND area marking.  Civil Defence Reserve Oversea Column Group Officer
 CDR (Civil Defence Reserve) Overseas Column shoulder title  21st Army Group shield patch |
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