WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia, Helmets and Equipment
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • 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
    • 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

WW2 Civil Defence & ARP First Aid Boxes & Canvas Holdalls / Bags


A core aspect of the Civil Defence Service was to provide immediate medical assistance to victims of bombing. The main deliverers of onsite medical care were the First Aid Parties who carried medical supplies in haversacks. Casualties were then transported by Stretcher Parties to First Aid Posts or Mobile Units and then transferred to hospital by the Ambulance Service.

All Wardens' Posts were also  issued with first aid tins and the trouser pockets on battledress were designed to hold a single "First Field Dressing".
Various styles of WW2 First Aid Boxes
Various styles of WW2 First Aid Boxes

First Aid Boxes

All Wardens' Posts would be allocated a first aid box that contained the necessary  supplies to deal with wounds until an ambulance was available. There are some boxes marked with "Light Rescue".
ARP First Aid Box for Light Rescue Parties
ARP First Aid Box for Light Rescue Parties
Large ARP First Aid Box located at Wardens' Posts
Large ARP First Aid Box located at Wardens' Posts
Paragon First Aid Outfit for ARP Post
Paragon First Aid Outfit for ARP Post
A large variety of first aid kits were sold to the general public. These came in varying sizes in both metal and cardboard containers. A lot were produced by Boots the Chemist. Minimax and Paragon manufactured kits for both the general public and the Civil Defence services,

ARP Light Rescue Party First Aid Box and Contents

For Light Rescue Parties a specific first aid box was created. It contained larger size bandages and wound dressings. The Light Rescue Parties would often be the first team to reach casualties in a bombed building and as such required the necessary dressings to deal with quite severe injuries.
ARP Light Rescue Party First Aid Box and Contents
ARP Light Rescue Party First Aid Box and Contents

ARP Blanket Bag

A large khaki coloured shoulder haversack was produced that carried two blankets in separate compartments. The shoulder strap is usually of a thick brown-coloured herringbone cotton. A large number of examples are know to have "S.R. 1939" stamped on the inside base. This is not for Southern Railways but an as yet unidentified maker.
A large ARP-marked blanket bag for two blankets with shoulder strap
A large ARP-marked blanket bag for two blankets with shoulder strap

Canvas haversacks

A number of canvas haversacks were issued to First Aid Parties and First Aid Posts. Some were quite small (often labelled as 'Pouches' and limited to the bare essentials. Others were much larger and could carry sufficient articles to deal with most eventualities.

Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP

Boots the Chemist offered a private purchase case of first aid equipment early in the war. 
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP contents list
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP contents list
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP contents
Boots The Householders' First Aid Case for ARP contents

ARP First Aid Pouch

The ARP First Aid Pouch was manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and contained three large dressings (usually two wound dressings and a single burn dressing) plus a glass ampule of iodine (the top was snapped off and the iodine was applied directly to the wound). 
ARP First Aid Pouch
ARP First Aid Pouch

☜ Documentation
Air Raid Warning ☞
Home
Uniforms
​Insignia
Helmets
Equipment
Fire Guard
​Resources
​Buyers' Guide​
About
Blog
Pound sterling logo
Support website
Facebook logo
Facebook
E-Mail contact icon
Contact

Copyright Craig Smith © 2018–2023
  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • 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
    • 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