WW2 ARP Civil Nursing Reserve & Auxiliary Uniforms and Insignia / Badges
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A dedicated ARP branch for nurses existed within the Civil Defence Service. Created in April 1938, the Civil Nursing Reserve (CNR) recruited nurses to serve in hospitals and first aid posts.
Ranks of the CNR were made up of trained nurses, assistant nurses already earning a living as a nurse and volunteer auxiliary nurses who had undergone a fortnight of basic training (and who had joined as part of the call up to National Service). The nursing uniform was an A-line dress of blue with a fine white stripe fabric with a square collar. A fabric badge of red ARP letters embroidered on the same material as the uniform was sewn centrally to the chest. Nursing auxiliaries had a red NA badge sewn centrally on their overalls (see image). A white cotton apron could be worn over the top of the uniform. |
WW2 ARP Nursing Auxiliary
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Embroidered ARP letters insignia for nurses' uniform
WW2 Civil Defence Nursing Auxiliary
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Nursing Auxiliaries (NAs) were women aged 18 to 55 without prior nursing experience. They volunteered through the Civil Nursing Reserve and received two weeks' training at a hospital covering first aid, home nursing and practical hospital work paid for by the government. Generally, the role was a full-time position doing 48 hours per week.
Once they passed training, an NA could be employed in any number of locations–first aid posts, casualty evacuation trains, medical aid posts in shelters or rest centres. Trained nurses who were members of the British Red Cross Society and St. John Ambulance Brigade could also become members of the Civil Nursing Reserve. |
Civil Nursing Reserve recruitment poster |
WW2 Nursing Auxiliary Uniform & Apron - ARP Pattern 46
The Nursing Auxiliary uniform (ARP Pattern 46) was in a blue cotton with a very fine white stripe. It featured a winged collar, a V-shaped yoke and the letters 'NA' embroidered or screen-printed in red on a small oblong of dress material sewn to the front. A single patch pocket was placed on the right-hand-side of the skirt.
Nursing Auxiliary (NA) uniform embroidered badge
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Nursing Auxiliary (NA) uniform screen-printed badge
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Sleeves were slightly puffed with fold back cuffs above the elbow. The uniform fastened with two removable buttons (taken off when the garment was washed) at the back of the neck and one at bottom rear of the skirt. A belt with two removable buttons fastened at the front. A simple white apron was worn over the uniform fixed with safety pins to the front and two buttons at the rear.
WW2 Nursing Auxiliary Uniform & Apron - ARP Pattern 46
Civil Nursing Reserve Greatcoat
Whole-time (i.e. full-time) nursing auxiliaries were also issued with the grey/blue greatcoat, raglan style, with a belt. The collar was edged in red braid. Sewn onto the left breast was a woven Civil Nursing Reserve shield breast badge.
The coat was paired with two styles of headwear: the felt hat or a gabardine cap both with red Petersham ribbon. The metal CNR badge was pinned above the red band (see period photo below).
To distinguish between nursing auxiliary, assistant nurse and trained nurse additional red braid was sewn to the collar. One diagonal strip for an assistant nurse and two strips for a trained nurse.
The coat was paired with two styles of headwear: the felt hat or a gabardine cap both with red Petersham ribbon. The metal CNR badge was pinned above the red band (see period photo below).
To distinguish between nursing auxiliary, assistant nurse and trained nurse additional red braid was sewn to the collar. One diagonal strip for an assistant nurse and two strips for a trained nurse.
Trained nurse with two diagonal strips of red braid on collar. She is also wearing the Pattern 86 Cap
Civil Nursing Reserve Gabardine Overcoat Badge
An embroidered badge was manufactured to be worn on the Civil Nursing Reserve gabardine coat. It was sewn to the left breast of the greatcoat. The design of the badge mirrored that of the enamel Civil Nursing Reserve badge (see below) but with a red scarlet background.
Civil Nursing Reserve nurses wearing the gabardine coat and badge
Civil Nursing Reserve Embroidered Greatcoat / Overcoat Badge
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Civil Nursing Reserve Screen-Printed Gabardine Badge
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Civil Nursing Reserve Pattern NA36 Brooch Pin Badge
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From June 1940, nurses of the Civil Nursing Badge could wear this brooch pin badge on the left side of their uniform and later also as a cap badge. Badges were marked 'H.W.M.' (H W Miller Ltd) and 'J. R. Gaunt Ltd. London'.
Some of these were available in sterling silver (some marked 'W.J.D B'HAM' (William James Dingley), 'L.S. & Co.' (Lionel Smith & Company, Birmingham) and 'A.BROS, B'HAM' (Adie Brothers)), probably as a private purchase. |
Civil Nursing Reserve Pattern NA36 Brooch Pin Badge
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Nurse wearing the Civil Nursing Reserve badge on her apron
Civil Nursing Reserve Nursing Auxiliary NA Brooch Pin Badge
A similar badge to the Civil Nursing Reserve exists with the addition of the NA letters for Nursing Auxiliary. This badge appears to be exceedingly rare.
Civil Nursing Reserve NA (Nursing Auxiliary) enamel badge
Civil Nursing Reserve Red Star
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Should a Nursing Auxiliary (N.A.) of the Civil Nursing Reserve complete 12 months' continuous "satisfactory service" then they were issued with a six-pointed red star by the Ministry of Health.
The star was to be worn as follows: "The star should be sewn on your overalls over the Nursing Auxiliary badge or, if you are a member of the British Red Cross Society or the St. John Ambulance Brigade, as directed by the Society or the Brigade." If a second star was awarded: "The second star should be sewn on your overalls an inch away from the first star, which should be adjusted where necessary to bring the two stars into line in the middle of the overalls above the N.A. badge. If, however, you are a member of the British Red Cross Society or the St. John Ambulance Brigade, as directed by the Society or the Brigade." |
Nursing Auxiliary (N.A.) of the Civil Nursing Reserve with 12 months' service star |
WW2 Civil Nursing Reserve Red Star
Embroidered CD Badge (ARP Pattern 80) for ARP Pattern 46 Nurses Uniform
With the change of ARP to CD in 1941, the ARP badge was dropped in favour of a yellow CD on blue/white fabric.
Yellow CD letters on blue/white fabric
WW2 Embroidered CD Badge (ARP Pattern 80)
