WW2 ARP & Civil Defence Lamps & Torches
Torches and lamps were to become integral pieces of equipment due to the blackout. However, as restrictions on the amount of light emitted was reduced a number of designs appeared during the war. Pre-war lamps, especially those designed for bicycles, could be adapted with the use of a metal disc that obscured half the light being shown. Various manufacturers also produced designs with hoods to 'bounce' the light down.
No. 680 ARP Lamp
Made by P & H Limited in Birmingham the No. 680 ARP lamp does not have any shade or hood. The lamp could be adapted with a Masklite filter that reduced the light by half.
No. 680 ARP Lamp
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No. 680 ARP Lamp Markings
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1939 ARP Issue Hand Torch Lamp
This 1939-dated hand torch / lamp in the standard issue lamp given to ARP wardens in the early part of the war. The rear has a belt attachment and the top has a carry handle (the lid can still be raised to access the spare bulb located inside). The angled front shade unscrews to reveal a circular frosted glass plate with the bulb and reflector behind. A spare bulb is located inside the lid. With the Ever Ready No. 800 torch battery the light emitted is quite weak but in the blackout no doubt it was handy.
A couple of manufacturers are known - "CES Co. Ltd." (Chloride Electrical Storage) and "ER Co. (GB) Ltd." (Ever Ready).
A couple of manufacturers are known - "CES Co. Ltd." (Chloride Electrical Storage) and "ER Co. (GB) Ltd." (Ever Ready).
"Drydex" Regulation ARP Lamp Advert
Miller 1942 ARP & Civil Defence Hand Torch Lamp
Made by Miller's this lamp has the GR VI monogram and 1942 date on the lid. The design further simplified production as the hood no longer required a screw fitting, dropped the need for glass and was much easier and quicker to manufacture. This hooded design was to continue throughout the war and even into the post-war period with the M.O.H. "A.R.P. Lamp with Hood" WD no. 3051.
Ever Ready 1944-dated Hooded ARP Lamp
Made by Ever Ready (ER) this lamp has the GR VI monogram and 1944 date on the front of the hood. Ever Ready was imprinted in the metal on the lid.
Ever Ready 1944-dated Hooded ARP Lamp
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Ever Ready 1944-dated Hooded ARP Lamp Markings
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Lamp Electric No.1
This type of lamp was often used by ARP wardens and civil defence personnel. It had an integral front screen that could be lifted out of the way when more light was required.
Lucas No. 68 ARP Hooded Bicycle Lamps
Lucas No. 68 ARP Hooded Bicycle Lamps
Head/Helmet Mounted Rescue Torch
Primarily devised to assist rescue squads at air raid incidents, this battery powered torch could be worn on the head or fixed to the brim of a helmet. The battery pack would be attached to a belt and a cable ran to the torch. There are very few photos of the torch in use and it would appear that they were not actually that useful.
Head-mounted emergency ARP rescue lamp
Helmet-Mounted Rescue Lamp/Torch
This lamp/torch could be fitted to the brim of a helmet. The battery pack was fitted onto the user's belt and the wire run up the back and across the shoulder to the lamp head. It appears they were quite common pieces of equipment but few photographs show them fitted or being used.
