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Warden John Punton - First Full-Time Civil Defence Casualty of WW2

7/4/2022

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54-year-old John Punton had enlisted with the Durham Light Infantry in 1903 and during the first world war had been taken prisoner by the Germans. He was one of the Old Contemptibles, the first six divisions of the British Expeditionary Force sent to the Western Front in 1914 . At the start of the second world war he was living with his wife in West Hartlepool and working at the docks. After the outbreak of war he joined the Air Raid Wardens' Service as a full-time Warden.

Whilst on duty in Musgrave Street in West Hartlepool on the night of 19 June 1940, Punton was severely injured in the blast of a bomb whilst directing civilians to a shelter. He died the next day in the local Cameron Hospital and became the first air raid warden to be killed by enemy action. He was buried on 22 June 1940.

By the war's end, it was calculated that almost 7,000 members of the Civil Defence Services had been killed on duty (6,220 men/boys and 618 women).
Civil Defence Service 1939-1945 memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum
Civil Defence Service 1939-1945 memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum
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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Gabardine Coat
    • Waterproof Cape
    • 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 / Armlets
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Anti-Gas Training Posters
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • 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
    • Air Raid Histories
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
    • Donate