Women’s Voluntary Services (WVS) ARP & Civil Defence Badges

To encourage women to become involved in ARP, the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions was set up in 1938. The short-lived “ARP Women’s Voluntary Services” was issued up to February 1939. It was a chromium plated on brass badge with inlaid enamel and it appears all examples were manufactured by H. B. SALE of Birmingham. It appears the badges were issued in plain, unmarked cream or white coloured card boxes.

Women’s Voluntary Services (WVS) ARP & Civil Defence Badges

The role of WVS expanded greatly beyond just ARP matters prior to the war.  A change in the name of the organisation occurred in February 1939 when it became the Women’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence.

Probably as ubiquitous as the silver and base metal ARP badges, the “WVS Civil Defence” badge is often encountered at militaria sales, car boot sales and elsewhere. Due to its availability, it’s often overlooked. 

It appears the badge was produced throughout the war, and several manufacturers are known. It is assumed that the examples inlaid with red paint replaced the enamel varieties as a war economy measure.
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Inlaid enamel versions can be found made by:

- H. B. SALE B’HAM (Henry Bailey Sale opened his works in the city of Birmingham in 1862)
- BUTLER 48 VITTORIA ST. B’HAM (T. A. Butler & Co. were medallists that occupied numbers 48, 50 and 52 Vittoria Street)
- BUTLER BIRMINGHAM
- MARPLES & BEASLEY BIRMINGHAM (the founders sold their company in 1936 but the trade continued)

Painted examples bear two marks:
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- L. SIMPSON & CO LONDON
- Unmarked plain rear

Makers' marks on the rear of WVS Civil Defence badges