WW2 Civil Defence Rescue Equipment
ARP Axe & Carrier
Axes were important rescue tools to access buildings and assist in clearing paths to trapped and wounded people. Canvas axe carriers were available (as private purchase items as they do not appear in official equipment/stores lists) that had a shoulder sling as well as small tabs on the back that a belt could be fitted through. In some instances it appears the shoulder sling has been removed and the carrier adapted to be worn with a belt only.
A rescue worker wearing the ARP axe and carrier
Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX
The 'ARPAX' was manufactured by the Chillington Tool Company Limited of Wolverhampton. Some of these are imprinted with ARP 55 - the pattern number for this item. The insulated handle was encased in rubber which provided protection if the axe severed an electric cable (moulded into the handle was 'TESTED 20,000 VOLTS'). There were three variants of the ARPAX. A leather holder was available to hold the axe on a belt.
The Defiant ARP Axe - Wooden Handle - Made by Perks
A wooden-handled ARP axe was also manufactured by Perks, dated 1940. The handle was slid over the axe tang and held in place by rivets.
Perks' The Defiant ARP Axe 1940
ARP Emergency Telephone System
At certain air raid incidents the main telephone lines may have been cut. To allow for communications to continue, ARP services (Head Wardens, Rescue Parties etc) could use this portable telephone that ran off two size T dry cell batteries.
Ceiling Pike
Ceiling pikes and prodders were used to test whether loose debris could be brought down in a bomb damaged property. Wardens and rescue services would prod at walls and ceilings to see if they could take the weight of a person for extraction from a building etc.
Emergency Carbide Incident Lamp
At air raid incidents where electricty supplies were interrupted this emergency carbide work lamp would be used. Water would be added to the bucket to activate the calcium carbide stored inside. This would create acetylene gas which would pass up through the handle and on to the burner. It produced a bright white light, which was reflected by the shield.
