Multiple Red Flags For Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

1/7/2026

The helmet below recently sold on the tat bazaar (that's eBay) for £235 (including shipping). It was described as, and I quote, "Rare 1939 dated Divisional Assistant Warden ( DAW ) ARP officers ww2 helmet". However, it isn't and there are multiple red flags:

"Divisional Assistant Warden" is not a title used in the Wardens' Service. The known naming structure was "Deputy Divisional Warden" (DDW) and white helmets bearing this marking are known
Senior roles in the Wardens' Service generally didn't wear black helmets
White diamonds on a black helmet, though not unheard of, is very rare
Within the Wardens' Service the letter "W" is the primary marking, and was never demoted to a secondary, smaller size
The diamonds are too small
The helmet, in my opinion, was originally a basic "A" (Ambulance) and the rest of the lettering was added later
And finally, it was sold by a well-known shyster who has form for producing and selling fake militaria

Did you buy it? I'd ask for my money back.

Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) helmet markings

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Post-War Hand-Operated Sirens In Use With The Royal Observer Corps

1/6/2026

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This post-war document, issued by the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), confirms that they were using both kinds of hand-operated siren (syren). The angle-iron base Carter model (shown on the right in the photo) is the style that is seen in a few rare pre-war photographs. The Secomak does appear from available sources to have been manufactured only in the post-war period.

Post-War Hand-Operated Sirens In Use With The Royal Observer Corps

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1943 New Fire Guard & N.F.S. Working Arrangements

12/21/2025

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This staged image of two Fire Guards was issued by the Ministry of Home Security in 1943 and is often reproduced. The rear of the photo states:

"Under a new Fire Guard Plan close working arrangements will be established with the N.F.S. The Fire Guard will be made responsible for reporting to the N.F.S. enemy action night fires which get out of control. Pictures show how messages for N.F.S. help are sent by the Fire Guard and the N.F.S. responds. (1) Party Leader gives messages to runner asking for N.F.S. help."

The image was the first in a series and was used on publications such as The Midnight Watch broadsheet posters. I've not yet come across larger versions of the other images in the series.

Fire Guard Party Leader gives messages to runner (1943)

The Midnight Watch Number 14

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Civil Defence Ambulance Service Badges

12/18/2025

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A pair of badges marked "CIVIL DEFENCE AMBULANCE SERVICE" recently sold on the tat bazaar for just over £50. I've not come across these before and I'm currently unsure of the date of issue. Interesting that a white cross was used instead of the more common red cross for first aid.

If you happen to more about these badges, please drop me a line.

Civil Defence Ambulance Service Badge #1

Civil Defence Ambulance Service Badge #2

Civil Defence Ambulance Service Badge rear fixing

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Dating Royal Life Saving Society Respiration Service Badges

12/10/2025

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I have picked up several of the Royal Life Saving Society's Respiration Service badges over the years (all for just a few quid either online or at fairs).

We know from photographic evidence (see photo) that the coloured enamel badges were issued in the late 1930s and worn from the early part of the war.

Documentary evidence details the issue of the RLSS's woven patch (for wear on CD uniform) and the "oxidised silver" version of the badge (for civilian dress).

We also have an original badge with issue paperwork that dates a badge with a 33457 number as being wartime (dated December 1943).

Coloured enamel RLSS's Respiration Service badge

I have a low issue coloured-enamel badge numbered 810 and another numbered 48375. Of the three badges with the larger rear brooch pin, two appear oxidised silver (numbers 32026 and 36566) and one much brighter silver in appearance (number 38124). Lastly, the badge with the smaller pin is numbered 40667. All badges are issued by J. A. Wylie & Co. London, apart from the small pin badge, which was made by B.H. Collins & Co, Birmingham.

Looking at badges that are available and have sold on eBay we see a rough pattern in numbers:

Coloured enamel badges can have numbers as low as 810 and as high as 51380
The small pin badges appear to have numbers in the range of 17597 to 29994 (my 40667 seems to be an outlier to this range).
The larger brooch pin badges are all in the 3xxxx range.

I'd be interested in the numbers on the rear of any visitors' badges.

Various Royal Life Saving Society Respiration Service badges

Various Royal Life Saving Society Respiration Service issue badges

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Multiple Red Flags For Fake Divisional Assistant Warden (DAW) Helmet

Post-War Hand-Operated Sirens In Use With The Royal Observer Corps

1943 New Fire Guard & N.F.S. Working Arrangements

Civil Defence Ambulance Service Badges

Dating Royal Life Saving Society Respiration Service Badges

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