WW2 ARP Incident Officer (IO) Badges, Armbands & Helmet Covers
|
Incident Officers (I.O.s) were responsible for managing the various rescue services that arrived at air raid incidents. London adopted the first trained wardens for this purpose in 1939. To distinguish them from other personnel, they wore an 'INCIDENT OFFICER' armband and a light blue helmet cover (see below).
A more permanent badge for Incident Officers was introduced in August 1940. The letters I and O in Cambridge blue on a dark background were worn on the lower right sleeve. In London, a badge with a stylised I and O in script lettering was produced. The designated position (as per ARP Memo 17) was midway between the sleeve seams, and the bottom edge of the badge was six inches from the end of the sleeve. If the individual also held the Bomb Reconnaissance Officer badge, the IO badge was placed 'forward', and the badges were placed half an inch from each other. The use of Incident Officers was adopted nationally. Wardens, as well as serving police officers, were trained to organise the services at incidents. Several printed and embroidered variations exist. The use of script lettering is found mainly in the London Civil Defence regions, but it is also known to have been issued by some local authorities on the south coast. |
Mr WC Ramsay Incident and Bomb Reconnaissance Officer (Hendon Chief Warden & Fire Duard Officer)
|
Embroidered Incident Officer (IO) Badges With Script Lettering
Embroidered Incident Officer Badges - Script Lettering - on cotton
|
Embroidered Incident Officer Badges - Script Lettering - on felt backing
|
Warden wearing the London script style of Incident Officer (IO) badge
Embroidered Incident Officer (IO) Badges
Embroidered Incident Officer Badge on felt backing
|
Embroidered Incident Officer Badge on cotton backing
|
Embroidered Incident Officer Badge on felt backing (variation)
|
Printed Incident Officer (IO) Badge
Printed Incident Officer Badge
Incident Officer Helmet Cover & Armband
A Cambridge blue helmet cover was available that an Incident Officer could affix to their helmet appeared in London in early 1940. This allowed other services to find the Incident Officer at an air raid incident. The cover could be removed and passed to another IO if necessary. Original examples are exceedingly rare.
Incident Officer weraing the blue helmet cover
An incident officer armband was also manufactured. It was made of light blue material and featured the ARP emblem with 'INCIDENT OFFICER' below. It was worn on the upper sleeve and held in place by a buckle.
Incident Officer (IO) armband
Incidents were also marked by a blue and white checked flag.
