Civil Defence Rescue Dogs, 1944

With the launch of the V1 flying bomb campaign in June 1944, London and the south east once again came under regular air attack. Within the London Region, the Civil Defence Services employed handlers with dogs to search bomb sites for casualties. The photos below, courtesy of Jon Mills' collection, show the King and Queen inspecting some dog handlers. The insignia on their upper sleeves was a triangle (thought to be light blue by some) with an Alsatian dog's head in profile. It is thought the handlers also wore a special beret cap badge, again in the shape of a dog's head. If you have seen these badges or other photos of them please get in touch.