WW2 CIVIL DEFENCE UNIFORMS, INSIGNIA & EQUIPMENT
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WW2 Civil Defence Shoulder Titles / Flashes


Many of the positions appearing on shoulder titles (sometimes also referred to as shoulder flashes) within the Civil Defence Services were laid out within Regulation 29BA of the "Defence (General) Regulations, 1939" Act. Most positions were part-time with volunteers expected to undertake 48 hours of service over a four week period (more when emergencies required it).

Titles became officially available on 2 December 1941 and were initially embroidered but calico-printed versions became available from the middle of 1943 (for cost saving reasons). The shoulder titles below are those that were officially sanctioned. However, some local authorities allowed some senior ranks to have shoulder titles that displayed their actual rank; examples of 'CHIEF WARDEN' and 'SENIOR WARDEN' are known to exist.
A 1943 advert for various armlets, shoulder flashes and helmet transfers
A 1943 advert for various armlets, shoulder flashes and helmet transfers

ARP Warden ​Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 120)

Air Raid Wardens (adults of any age) were the on-the-ground link between the general public and the local authority's ARP services. Wardens were responsible for keeping the ARP Control Centre aware of any bombing damage, manage incidents and give advice and help to the public. Officially introduced for wear on battledress in September 1941 it took time for the titles to reach every location. Variations - such as HEAD WARDEN, SENIOR WARDEN and CHIEF WARDEN - exist but these were ordered by local authorities and were not officially sanctioned. 
Embroidered Civil Defence ARP Warden Shoulder Titles
Embroidered Civil Defence ARP Warden Shoulder Titles
Printed Civil Defence ARP Warden Shoulder Titles
Printed Civil Defence ARP Warden Shoulder Titles
Embroidered WW2 Warden Shoulder Titles
Embroidered WW2 Warden Shoulder Titles

Report & Control ​Shoulder Titles ​(ARP Pattern 125)

The Civil Defence Control Centre was the focal point of Civil Defence operations. The information sent by ARP wardens would be reviewed and the necessary emergency services sent to deal with the incident. Wardens telephoned in incidents but also filed forms which in the event that the telephone network was down were delivered by Messengers (often teenagers from the scouts or similar groups). A high number of women were taken on to receive and transmit  accurately oral, written and telephone messages and also record and report on the progress of air raids.
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Embroidered with angled 'AND')
WW2 Civil Defence Report And Control Shoulder Title (Embroidered with angled 'AND')
WW2 Civil Defence Control Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Control Shoulder Title (Printed)

Medical Officers ​Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 129 & 131)

Medical Officers were stationed at control centres and were responsible for organising the First Aid Parties.
WW2 Civil Defence Medical Officer (ARP Pattern 131) shoulder title.
WW2 Civil Defence Medical Officer (ARP Pattern 131) shoulder title.
WW2 Civil Defence MoH (ARP Pattern 129) - Ministry of Health shoulder title.
WW2 Civil Defence MoH (ARP Pattern 129) - Ministry of Health shoulder title.
WW2 Civil Defence Embroidered MoH (ARP Pattern 129) - Ministry of Health shoulder title.
WW2 Civil Defence Embroidered MoH (ARP Pattern 129) - Ministry of Health shoulder title.

Rescue Party Shoulder Titles - Light (ARP Pattern 134) & Heavy ​(ARP Pattern 133)

Rescue Parties usually consisted of between eight and twelve men, usually builders, carpenters and plumbers etc. They were trained to remove casualties from bombed buildings and to to make safe weakened buildings by supports or where necessary demolition. Originally, just a 'RESCUE' shoulder title was implemented in 1941. By early 1944 there was a need to differentiate between the "LIGHT RESCUE' and 'HEAVY RESCUE' squads.
WW2 Civil Defence Rescue Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Rescue Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Light Rescue Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Light Rescue Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Heavy Rescue shoulder title (printed).
WW2 Civil Defence Heavy Rescue shoulder title (printed).

Ambulance ​Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 121)

Ambulances included commercial vehicles and cars converted for the purpose of carrying casualties. The "AMBULANCE" shoulder title was worn by ambulance drivers and attendants. In addition MOBILE UNITS were vans fitted with medical supplies and manned by a doctor, nurse and volunteer first aid personnel.
WW2 Civil Defence Ambulance Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Ambulance Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Ambulance Shoulder Title (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence Ambulance Shoulder Title (Embroidered)

First Aid Parties / First Aid Post (ARP Pattern 122) Shoulder Titles

Volunteers were generally taken on aged up to 55. A 'FIRST AID PARTY' gave first aid to casualties at the locations where they were injured, before they were transported to a 'FIRST AID POST' or hospital. They were under the command of the Medical Officer of Health (see 'MOH' above).
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Post Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Post Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Post Shoulder Title (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Post Shoulder Title (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence 1st Aid Post shoulder title (embroidered).
WW2 Civil Defence 1st Aid Post shoulder title (embroidered).
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Party Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence F.A. Party Shoulder Title (Woven)
WW2 Civil Defence Printed First Aid Post Shoulder Title

Messenger (ARP Pattern 126), MT (ARP Pattern 113), Depot & Driver Shoulder Titles

Although officially the age was 18 and up to be a messenger, many teenagers from various groups also volunteered (e.g. Scouts and Girl Guides to name but two). They were to carry messages between wardens and the report centres both during and after air raids.
WW2 Civil Defence Messenger Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Messenger Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence MT (Motor Transport) Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence MT (Motor Transport) Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Depot Shoulder Title (Printed).
WW2 Civil Defence Depot Shoulder Title (Printed).
WW2 Civil Defence Driver Shoulder Title (Embroidered).
WW2 Civil Defence Driver Shoulder Title (Embroidered).

Gas Decontamination (ARP Pattern 124) & Gas Identification Officer (ARP Pattern 127) Shoulder Titles

The 'GIO' (Gas Identification Officer) and his assistants were responsible for identifying which sort of gas or chemical had been used in an attack. The 'DECONTAMINATION' squads (made up of physically fit men aged up to 55) were then to be used to decontaminate streets and buildings. Decontamination squads often supplemented the Rescue Parties.
Gas Identification Officer (G.I.O.) Shoulder Patches (printed)
Gas Identification Officer (G.I.O.) Shoulder Patches (printed)
Gas Identification Officer (G.I.O.) Shoulder Patches (Embroidered)
Gas Identification Officer (G.I.O.) Shoulder Patches (Embroidered)
WW2 Civil Defence Decontamination Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Decontamination Shoulder Title (Printed)
WW2 Civil Defence Decontamination shoulder title (woven).
WW2 Civil Defence Decontamination shoulder title (woven).

Unofficial and locally manufactured shoulder titles

There was a great deal of latitude regarding shoulder titles and variations exist. Many produced by small commercial concerns.
WW2 Warwickshire Civil Defence badge.
WW2 Warwickshire Civil Defence badge.
Badge sewn to epaulettes of Civil Defence services in Hampshire.
Badge sewn to epaulettes of Civil Defence services in Hampshire.

County H.Q. Shoulder Title

A rare shoulder title for a Chief Warden at the County HQ in Gloucestershire.
County H.Q. Shoulder Title
County H.Q. Shoulder Title

Casualty Transport Shoulder Title

A rare printed shoulder title for Casualty Transport. Thought to have been ordered by Surrey local authority for issue in the Guildford area.
Casualty Transport Shoulder Title
Casualty Transport Shoulder Title

Welfare Shoulder Titles / Flashes - Post-War Civil Defence Corp / WVS

I have received a number of emails concerning WELFARE shoulder titles. These were post-war Civil Defence Corps shoulder titles, often worn by members of the Women's Voluntary Service. Welfare titles were not issued and therefore were not worn during the second world war.
To submit original shoulder titles please send me an email via the contact page. 

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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • 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
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • 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 ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Links
    • About
  • Contact
    • Support
  • Blog