WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia, Helmets and Equipment
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Civil Defence & ARP Caps, Hats & Berets in WW2


Civil Defence and ARP Felt Hat for Women

At the start of the war, female ARP Wardens were initially issued with ARP Pattern 44 Felt Hats. It was permitted to wear the silver ARP lapel badge on these hats. One region, the Midlands, stated the precise location of the ARP badge to be "...worn in the front so that the bottom of the crown is level with the top of the felt band." 

Early in the war, the hats featured a red and blue Petersham ribbon; this was later replaced by a gold and blue Petersham ribbon (ARP Pattern 143) when the Civil Defence name change came into force in 1941.
 WW2 ARP Pattern 44 Felt Hat, Badge with Gold/Blue Civil Defence Ribbon
WW2 ARP Pattern 44 Felt Hat, Badge with Gold/Blue Civil Defence Ribbon
ARP Pattern 44 Felt Hat with ribbon and ARP badge affixed.
ARP Pattern 44 Felt Hat with ribbon and ARP badge affixed.
The felt hat was often worn by first aid post and mobile unit volunteers who had been issued with the gabardine coat.

In the latter years of the war, many adopted the wool beret but there is photographic evidence of some wearing the side cap (some with and some without yellow piping). See below for more details.
Prior to the summer of 1941 the felt hats had a small ARP label fixed to the instead sweat band. This was later replaced by a CD label.
Pattern 44 felt hat ARP label
Pattern 44 felt hat ARP label
Pattern 44 felt hat CD label
Pattern 44 felt hat CD label
See the helmets page for more information on helmets.

Civil Defence Wool Berets - ARP Patterns 68 & 68A

ARP wardens wearing the wool beret - note the many different ways of weraing the beret.
ARP wardens wearing the wool beret - note the many different ways of wearing the beret.
For men, it was given that they should wear their helmets but this was impractical. From July 1941 a blue beret of unlined wool with no leather sweat band was authorised.

Though no badge was available for the berets a number of local authorities permitted the wearing of the silver ARP lapel badge on the berets. This became officially recognised in April 1942. Some authorities requested to wear their county emblem.

With the production of metal ARP lapel badges in May 1943, new recruits needed a cap badge. In May 1943 a badge was designed for wear on berets. It was a smaller version of the breast badge - printed it was 1.6 inches across.

​An interesting aside to the wearing of berets is the many styles of wear. Period photographs show the berets worn over the right and left ear, worn straight, pushed right back etc. It' possible to get all these various on the same group photo.

WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with outer liner band - side view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with outer liner band - side view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with outer liner band - inside view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with outer liner band - inside view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with inner liner band - side view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with inner liner band - side view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with inner liner band - inside view.
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with inner liner band - inside view.
ARP 68A Austerity Pattern Beret
ARP 68A Austerity Pattern Beret
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with broad outer liner band
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with broad outer liner band
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with broad outer liner band maker marks
WW2 ARP Pattern 68 beret with broad outer liner band maker marks
ARP Warden wearing the austerity pattern Civil Defence beret
ARP Warden wearing the austerity pattern Civil Defence beret

Civil Defence Side Caps

Civil Defence personnel wearing the side cap with lapel badge.
Civil Defence personnel wearing the side cap with lapel badge.
 There is ample photographic evidence of both rank and file as well as senior officers in the Civil Defence services wearing side caps. These side caps were identical in design and manufacture as those issued to army personnel. Lewisham Rescue Squads appear to be wearing all black wool side caps with two chromed buttons. 

Side caps do not appear in the official Civil Defence pattern list but were available from commercial manufacturers for private purchase. Some included a yellow piping (probably for senior ranks within the various CD services). The majority of photos show the ARP lapel badge (usually the brooch fitting style) attached to the side cap.
 Some appear to have ARP buttons to the front, others have unmarked plain chrome buttons.

WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap (front).
WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap (front).
WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap (side).
WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap (side).
WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap with Yellow Piping (probably for an officer).
WW2 ARP Civil Defence Dark Wool Side Cap with Yellow Piping (probably for an officer).
There are a few photographs showing the side cap without buttons to the front. This photo of a piped (probably yellow) side cap also shows the ARP in a lower position on the side cap.
ARP side cap with the embroidered Civil Defence cap badge
ARP side cap with the embroidered Civil Defence cap badge
Piped ARP side cap minus buttons to the front
Piped ARP side cap minus buttons to the front

ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap

Period photographs show female drivers and ambulance attendants wearing the distinctive ARP Pattern 45 peaked ski cap. The cap was designated as "Woman Ambulance Driver Cap - ARP 45 - Serge Blue Worsted Showerproof (10½ oz.)". The cap was made in very dark blue worsted wool and had a flap that could be unfolded and fastened under the chin with the cotton tapes.

Of all the caps issued to women during the second world war this ski cap appears to be the hardest to find today. A few have appeared at auction and continue to generate a lot of interest from collectors with prices rising.

The ski cap has been seen in period photos sporting the silver/metal ARP badge, the small CD badge often seen on berets and the LAAS (London Auxiliary Ambulance Service) badge. 
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap
Peaked cap with ARP badge and wearer also has the WVS Civil Defence badge.
Peaked cap with ARP badge and wearer also has the WVS Civil Defence badge.
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers Peaked Ski Cap worn by ambulance driver or attendant
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Peaked Ski Cap worn by ambulance driver or attendant
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers Ski Cap with later CD badge
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap with later CD badge
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (front left)
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (front left)
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (front right)
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (front right)
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (rear)
ARP Pattern 45 Drivers' Ski Cap (rear)

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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
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    • Greatcoats
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    • Ambulance Uniforms
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    • 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
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    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Air Raid Histories
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
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