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/incidents 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 ranks to have shoulder titles that displayed their actual rank; examples of "CHIEF WARDEN" and "SENIOR WARDEN" are known to exist.
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 ranks to have shoulder titles that displayed their actual rank; examples of "CHIEF WARDEN" and "SENIOR WARDEN" are known to exist.
Mid-war printed economy shoulder titles
ARP Warden Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 120)
The "WARDEN" was 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.
Report & Control Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 125)
The Civil Defence "REPORT & 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.
Medical Officers Shoulder Titles (ARP Pattern 129 & 131)
The "MEDICAL OFFICER" was stationed at control centres and were responsible for organising the First Aid Parties.
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 make safe weakened buildings using wooden supports or where necessary demolish unsafe structures. Originally, just a 'RESCUE' shoulder title was implemented in 1941.
"LIGHT RESCUE" was introduced in the first half of 1942 and replaced "STRETCHER PARTY" in London (though they never had that exact wording as an official shoulder title) and "FIRST AID PARTY" elsewhere in the country (though it is undoubtedly the case that some continued to wear "FA PARTY" shoulder titles). "LIGHT RESCUE" undertook initial first aid, casualty collection, transfer to first aid posts and ambulances and rescue from buildings.
"HEAVY RESCUE" squads were sent to ensure buildings were safe for other Civil Defence Services to enter. The squad would shore up walls, test floors and where necessary demolish unsafe structures.
"LIGHT RESCUE" was introduced in the first half of 1942 and replaced "STRETCHER PARTY" in London (though they never had that exact wording as an official shoulder title) and "FIRST AID PARTY" elsewhere in the country (though it is undoubtedly the case that some continued to wear "FA PARTY" shoulder titles). "LIGHT RESCUE" undertook initial first aid, casualty collection, transfer to first aid posts and ambulances and rescue from buildings.
"HEAVY RESCUE" squads were sent to ensure buildings were safe for other Civil Defence Services to enter. The squad would shore up walls, test floors and where necessary demolish unsafe structures.
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.
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 (in London they were known as "STRETCHER PARTIES"), before they were transported to a "FIRST AID POST" or conveyed via "AMBULANCE" to a local hospital. They were under the command of the Medical Officer of Health (see "MOH" above).
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.
"MT" was for personnel responsible for maintaining the vehicles at a depot. The "DEPOT" was worn by depot superintendents. "DRIVER" was an unofficial title but often worn by ambulance drivers to differentiate themselves from the ambulance attendants.
"MT" was for personnel responsible for maintaining the vehicles at a depot. The "DEPOT" was worn by depot superintendents. "DRIVER" was an unofficial title but often worn by ambulance drivers to differentiate themselves from the ambulance attendants.
Gas Decontamination (ARP Pattern 124) & Gas Identification Officer (ARP Pattern 127) Shoulder Titles
The 'G.I.O' (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.
Unofficial & Locally Manufactured Shoulder Titles
There was a great deal of latitude regarding shoulder titles and variations exist. Many produced by small commercial concerns.
County H.Q. Shoulder Title
A rare shoulder title for a Chief Warden at the "COUNTY H.Q." in Gloucestershire.
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
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.
A 1943 advert for various armlets, shoulder flashes and helmet transfers
