Wardens' Service Helmet Markings - Rank Diamonds and Bands

In the London Civil Defence Region, senior supervisory positions within the Wardens’ Service wore white helmets with black bands front to rear (with space for a two-inch high "W" on the front and rear of the helmet). 

The London Civil Defence helmet-marking scheme

A Chief Warden wore a white helmet with two black bands, each one inch wide and placed ½ inch apart. The role of a District Warden (in London) or Divisional Warden (everywhere else after mid-1942) wore a single two-inch black band (although this was reduced to one inch later in 1942).

The general rule was that the second in command would wear the same marking on their helmet as their boss, the idea was that if, for example, the Chief Warden wasn't present, the Deputy Chief Warden could be easily identified at an incident.

It appears some Chief Wardens were not overly happy with this arrangement and their deputies were instructed to add "DEP." or "DEPUTY" above the "W". This would also cascade to the junior supervisory positions with the Deputy Head Warden having DH above the W or similar.​

Deputy Head Warden helmets © Adrian Blake

Before standardisation was introduced across the country in mid-1942, outside of London senior ranks used one, two or three diamonds.

Although an attempt was made to use the London marking across the whole country in the middle of 1942 it’s surprising how many helmets have survived bearing the rank diamonds. ​

Pre mid-1942 Civil Defence helmet-marking scheme outside of London

Thanks to Adrian Blake for the content idea. Adrian is co-author of "Helmets of the Home Front".