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Gas Air Raid Warning Rattle & All Clear Bell


During 1939 a national system for sounding sirens to alert the public of an air raid was implemented. Urban areas had electrically operated sirens manufactured by a number of firms - Gent & Co (of Leicester, who spelt the word 'syren'), Service Electric Limited of Stanmore (in Harrow, London) and Carter Ltd of Nelson (Lancashire). These sirens were by the report and control centres in each area. All wardens carried a whistle they could use to alert the public to an air raid. In addition to this there were other items of equipment available.

​If chemical or gas bombs had been used, wardens were issued with a rattle (to denote the use of gas) and a bell for the gas all clear signal.

ARP Gas Warning Rattles

Wardens were to alert the public of a gas attack using a gas rattle. A simple device and often marked by "B. & E. Ltd" which is thought to be the furniture company of Bluestone & Elvin of Walthamstow in east London.

ARP Gas  'All Clear' Hand Bell

The gas 'All Clear' signal would be rung out by a warden using the hand bell. Many of the bells have 'A.R.P.' stamped into the rim.
ARP hand bell
ARP hand bell
Gas warning rattle
Gas warning rattle

☜ First Aid
Air RAID Sirens ☞
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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