WW2 Home Front, Air Raid Warden, ARP & Civil Defence Helmets & Markings

The sheer number and variety of markings found on air raid warden, Civil Defence and home front Mk. II helmets (some Mk. I* helmets of first world war vintage were issued but in very small numbers) during the second world war could easily be a website unto itself. Below are the more commonly found insignia and markings on home front helmets.

I am always interested in adding photos of home front helmets to this page - simply send me a mail. Please follow the style of taking a photo, against a white background if possible.

Early-WW2 ARP Air Raid Warden Helmet Diamond Ranks

Early war ARP Wardens with helmets showing diamond insignia

Initially, for areas outside of London, helmet ranks were denoted by black diamonds (on the front of helmet only). These were later replaced by the London system of black bars. There is evidence of some rare black helmets with white diamonds.

Three diamonds - Chief Warden
Two diamonds - Divisional or District Warden
One diamond - Head Warden
White helmet - Post Warden

Early WW2 ARP Warden helmet markings with diamond ranks.

WW2 ARP Air Raid Warden Helmet Markings

The most widely recognised Air Raid Warden's helmet insignia is the two-inch high 'W'. Depending on the air raid warden's rank he would have either a black helmet with white 'W' or a white helmet with black 'W' (plus one or two additional bars to denote seniority within the warden service). However, there are a myriad of helmets from different localities of differing colour (for example, dark green) with a variance of fonts and sizes used for the lettering.

Plain black	Warden
Plain white	Post Wardens (plus deputies) & Rescue, Decontamination and Stretcher Party leaders
White with single black stripe	District/Divisional Wardens (and deputies)
White with double black stripe	Controllers, Chief Wardens (and deputies), Medical Officers of Health (M.O.)

WW2 ARP Air Raid Warden and Controller Helmet Markings

Some Post Wardens also had 'PW' inscribed on their helmet. Certain Warden/Fire Guards are known to have used 'W/FG'. Given the nature of the Civil Defence Services and how authorities implemented regulations there exists a remarkable wide range of helmet markings.

Black ARP Warden's helmet with white 'W'

White ARP Warden's helmet with black 'W'

White ARP Warden's helmet with black 'W' and single black stripe

White ARP Chief Warden's helmet with black 'W' and double black stripe

Other WW2 Civil Defence Service MK. II Helmet Markings

Rescue (plus Light & Heavy)	R (LR & HR)
Ambulance	A
First Aid Post / First Aid Parties	FAP
Decontamination (Gas)	DC
Messenger	M
Stretcher Party (London)	SP
G.I.O. (Gas Identification Officer)*	G.I.O.
Shelter Warden	SW
Shelter Marshal	SM
Casualty Service	CS

* Gas Identification Service (G.I.S.) used pre-war and also in 1939, 1940 and 1941.

Civil Defence helmet for Ambulance personnel

Civil Defence helmet for Anti-Gas Decontamination personnel

Civil Defence helmet for Gas Identification Officer (GIO)

WW2 Report & Control and Medical Officer Helmet Markings

Civil Defence Control helmet

Civil Defence M.O. (Medical Officer) helmet

WW2 Civil Defence Repair Services Helmet Markings

Generally all the following helmets were black with lettering in white. The white RP with black band was a Repair Party Leader.

Repair Party / Roads	RP/R
Repair Party / Water	RP/W
Repair Party / Electricity	RP/E
Repair Party / Gas	RP/G
Repair Party / Telephones	RP/T
Repair Party / Sewage	RP / S
Repair Party	RP (often a white helmet with a black band)

Grade 2 Quality Civil Defence Mk. II Helmets With Rim Holes

Following the evacuation from Dunkirk in the summer of 1940, raw materials were severely stretched and to provide enough helmets for civil defence personnel Grade 2 helmets were manufactured. These Mk. II Grade 2 mild steel austerity helmets had holes drilled in the rim (near the chinstrap rivet) to indicate the quality of the steel used in the manufacture. The more holes the lesser the resistance to ballistic impact. As the war progressed and more metal supplies became available the need for these sub-standard helmets decreased and standard Grade I Mk. I helmets were made and issued.

There is no consistency on who was issued these helmets. It was not the case that, for example, all Mk. II 2As went to the Home Guard, air raid wardens received Mk. II 2Bs, or that Mk. II 2Cs went to say, the Observer Corps. Some claims have been made that Mk. II 2Ds were for Fire Watchers but I have not found any documentary evidence to back this claim. The usual case in the civil defence services was you got what available from stores.