"Helmets of the Home Front" book by Adrian & George Blake
Helmets of the Home Front is a 'bible' for all things related to helmets and the British home front during the Second World War. Sadly, it is now only available on the second-hand market via a few specialist militaria bookshops and now-and-again on eBay. It was privately published and no second print run is going to be made.
The authors, Adrian and George Blake, combed the UK's private collections and museums for examples of home front helmets as as well as examples drawn from their own vast collection. The book covers markings and ranks for all the the major non-military second world war home front services. Also covered are attachments such gas curtains, lamps and carriers. The home front services covered in the book are:
The authors, Adrian and George Blake, combed the UK's private collections and museums for examples of home front helmets as as well as examples drawn from their own vast collection. The book covers markings and ranks for all the the major non-military second world war home front services. Also covered are attachments such gas curtains, lamps and carriers. The home front services covered in the book are:
- Helmets issued to the Fire Services - Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), National Fire Service (NFS), Fire Guards (FG), Fire Watchers & Supplementary/Street Parties (SFP)
- Wardens' ARP Service Helmets (W)
- Industrial, Commercial & Factory ARP Helmets- including Zuckerman helmets
- Police Helmets - including Observer Corps
- Health Services - Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Casualty Services (CS), First Aid Posts/Parties (FAP), Ambulance (A), Stretcher Parties (SP), Hospitals & supporting voluntary services such as the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS)
- Gas (GIO) & Decontamination (DC) Service Helmets
- Repair Party Services Helmets - Gas (RP/G), Roads (RP/R), Electricity (RP/E) & Water (RP/W)
- Helmets for Headquarters & Report and Control Staff - Controller, Regional Column, Mutual Support, Transport, ARP etc.
- Incident Management (IO) & Messenger Service (M) Helmets
- Rescue Service Helmets (R)