Recommended books and articles about ARP and Civil Defence Services

There are a number of excellent books that provide detail on the organisation, running and development of ARP and Civil Defence Services before and during the second world war.

Air Raid Precautions Memorandum No. 17 - Civil Defence Uniforms (1944)

This booklet provides a wealth of detail about all aspects of Civil Defence uniforms and badges. 
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A Brief History of Civil Defence

A very good history of the Civil Defence services in the build up and during the second world war.
A Brief History of Civil Defence 

"A People's Army - Civil Defence Insignia and Uniforms 1939-1945" Jon Mills

Provides a very good  overview of the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the Civil Defence services during the second world war. Highly recommended reading. 
This is sometimes available from the author on eBay.
"A People's Army - Civil Defence Insignia and Uniforms 1939-1945" Jon Mills

"Put That Light Out!: Britain's Civil Defence Services at War 1939-1945" by Mike Brown

An excellent overview of ARP and Civil Defence in the UK during the war. Chapters cover the various services and show how they were organised, trained and worked together at air raid incidents. Excellent photographs and snippets from CD members' stories. 
Available on Amazon
"Put That Light Out!: Britain's Civil Defence Services at War 1939-1945" by Mike Brown

"More Ways than One of Fighting a War: The Story of a Battle School for Civil Defence and the Creation of Casualties Union" by Eric Claxton

Eric Claxton was a Highways Engineer for Surrey County Council when war broke out and, specialising in bridges, he initially dealt with that side of CD work. However, he soon moved over into light rescue, and set up the Rescue School at Redhill. The book is a fantastic insight into what the rescue and wardens service were expected to do (for example - if you can fit your tin hat through a hole - you can fit through the  hole!).

​"Raiders Overhead: The Record Of A London Warden" by Barbara Nixon" by Barbara Nixon

Barbara Nixon was an actress before the war and being rather headstrong, made a success of herself as an ARP Warden - becoming the first female Incident Officer (I.O.). The diary is a great insight into the day-to-day roles of the warden and despite being published in 1943, it gives a surprising frank, and at times seemingly controversial view, of the ARP/Civil Defence organisation. ​​
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​"Raiders Overhead: The Record Of A London Warden" by Barbara Nixon" by Barbara Nixon