WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia & Equipment
WW2 Civil Defence Uniforms, Insignia & Equipment
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    • Rank Badges
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    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
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  • Contact
    • About
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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • Ladies' Wrapover Overalls
    • Lady Wardens' Coat
    • Serge Uniforms
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret / Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Air Raid Warning
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence Pattern Nos
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
  • Donate

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.
ARP axe canvas carrier
ARP axe and canvas carrier
ARP axe and canvas carrier - rear
ARP axe and canvas carrier - rear
ARP axe and canvas carrier - 1941 dated
ARP axe and canvas carrier - 1941 dated
Axe showing ARP markings
Axe showing ARP markings
A rescue worker wearing the ARP axe and carrier.
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.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX marking.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX marking.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX handle.
WW2 Chillington ARP Axe - ARPAX handle.

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.
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Side 1).
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Side 1).
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Side 2).
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Side 2).
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Marks).
The Defiant ARP Axe - Made by Perks (Marks).
Perks' The Defiant ARP Axe 1940
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.
ARP Emergency Telephone
ARP Emergency Telephone
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset in Cradle
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset in Cradle
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset Instructions
ARP Emergency Telephone Handset Instructions

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.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp - reflector shield.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp - reflector shield.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp - 1939 dated label.
WW2 ARP rescue services emergency carbide lamp - 1939 dated label.

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