WW2 CIVIL DEFENCE UNIFORMS, INSIGNIA & EQUIPMENT
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret / Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Links
    • About
  • Contact
    • Support
  • Blog

Peculiar (And Fake) WW2 London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS) Overalls

12/20/2018

2 Comments

 
A most peculiar set of overalls that belonged to a volunteer with the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service (LAAS). I've not seen overalls in this design before and the bespoke badge is most interesting in the way that it can be removed fro the overalls.
UPDATE: It would appear that the original seller of this item has a somewhat notorious record of producing fake items. Thought the original boiler suit is vintage the badge and name (seems that have a proclivity for stamping white lettering on post-war boiler suits) have to be taken with a pinch of salt...

2 Comments
Stephen Crookes
5/6/2019 16:22:00

Hi, as the owner of this I was shocked and disappointed to read your update. Further reading of the seller’s exploits I can understand your comments. If this was a stand-alone item, I would agree completely that this is a fake. However, I do have other items connected to ‘Godfrey’ namely the medic bag with log book (no entries I’m afraid) helmet, photos (none wearing the overall in question) and National Registration card.
It is a fact that Nora Ellaline Godfrey served with the Ambulance Service in WW2. Her maiden name was Austen and she appears in the 1939 National Register (under Bexley) as such with Godfrey added later (she married in 1940). It is clearly marked in red that she is attached to the L.C.C. Ambulance. The Bexley Heath address on her 1943 NR card matches that for her in the 1938 Electoral Roll. There is no endorsement with the NR card because I believe she was no longer serving with the L.A.A.S when this was issued in May 1943 – With her affects were 3 war service chevrons. Neither the 1939 Register and Electoral Roll entries were submitted by the seller, but from my own research. The medic bag has her handwritten name under the flap. Interestingly, the distinct style of the ‘y’ in Godfrey matches her handwritten entry on the NR card. I have no doubt the card and entries are original. I am very familiar with these. The log book is for No.3 District L.A.A.S. This is for Bexley Heath. I cannot account for why it is named to ‘N.A. Godfrey’ but this could be an error as the handwriting doesn’t appear to be hers. I do a lot of family history research and come across this a lot. Even in her 1938 Electoral Roll entry her first name is misspelt.
With my belief that the other items that I have of hers are genuine I would argue the point so is the overall. I understand that unscrupulous sellers can incorporate a fake item amongst genuine ones to give authenticity to such, but equaly I can’t see why this could not be something she wore, even though its peculiar. The badge looks genuine (strange hook attachment. You would expect a fake to be sewn on) but admittedly ‘LAAS’ could have been added along with the name above. But why add the name if it came with her affects anyway? The behaviour of the seller does raise doubts although I have purchased a couple of other items from them, not Civil Defence related, that are absolutely right. I will in future be very wary of anything they sell and will amend my notes that the overall’s authenticity is questionable.

Reply
C Smith
5/6/2019 20:58:46

I commend you on your excellent research that shows there was indeed a person named Godfrey involved with ambulance service. However, I don't believe the provenance of the overalls. I would say they have used the other items to create additional value in these overalls. The seller is notorious for selling hooky militaria (I believe they were convicted of fraudulently selling Dam Busters uniforms) and although the other items may well be original I would say the overalls are not. There's too much wrong with them IMHO. Why put a name on overalls on the front (ever seen this before)? Why is the badge detachable (what's the point)? There's no photographic evidence. I'm afraid that they remain highly questionable and in my opinion are fake.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Send me items to blog about via my contact page

    Categories

    All
    Armband
    Badge
    Book
    Document
    Equipment
    Fake
    Film
    First Aid
    Game
    Helmet
    Insignia
    Medal
    Painting
    Photograph
    Poster
    Sign
    Uniform
    Vehicle

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    RSS Feed

Home
Uniforms
Insignia
Equipment
Helmets
Fire Guard
​Resources
​Buyers' Guide​
About
Blog
Copyright Craig Smith  © 2018-2022
Mail icon

Please support this website
​and keep it advert free  
Donate
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret / Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Links
    • About
  • Contact
    • Support
  • Blog