Auxiliary Bomb Disposal Squads
 

At the height of the Battle of Britain in August 1940, the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) wrote to the War Office to enquire what measures would be taken if an unexploded bomb (UXB) was found in one of its factories. They were informed that under the existing arrangements they would be visited by an Army Bomb Disposal Section who would advise on the likelihood of damage if the bomb exploded and detonate it in situ if required. Dissatisfied with the War Office reply with its implication of damage to essential facilities, the Factory Defence Section of the MAP asked permission to raise volunteer squads competent to prepare for the arrival of the Army by clearing and excavating the site of a UXB, making it easier for the BD Section to reach the bomb and defuse it rather than detonate it. October 1940 saw the official announcement of the creation of these Auxiliary Bomb Disposal Squads (ABDS) in factories run by the MAP, with War Office training for squad leaders. The duties of an ABDS were defined as the location and identification of bombs, the reporting of them as UXBs, the setting up of safety zones around bombs and preliminary clearance of the site. It was specified that each squad should consist of a trained leader and five assistants and should form part of the factory’s Home Guard. In December the scheme was extended to all factories undertaking government work and employing over 1,000 staff. Some 1,200 factories were included.

The attached images show some of the badges worn by these factory Bomb Disposal Squads. The example with "9" on the bomb has also been recorded with an "8". Does anyone have examples with other numbers on the bomb?

I would be interested in seeing other examples of ABDS/ABDU insignia if members have any.

Jon

Interesting badges - I've never seen any of them before.

Is the badge at the lower left Vickers - Armstrong?

I to have never seen examples of these rare badges.

Nice to see so many.

regards

Glad they proved of interest

The lower left badge is indeed from Vickers Armstrong.

The attached sheet from a National Archives file is a 1943 list of a few firms in Southern England with ABDS and shows just how few men there were in such squads, hence the rarity of the badges.

Jon

Auxiliary Bomb Disposal Squads
 

I have a screen printed badge with ROF across two bombs and underneath that 'Front Line Duty'.

I presume that ROF stands for Royal Ordnance Factory.

Could this be one of these type of badges?

I will take an image of it and post it later.

Cheers

Arnhem

Thanks for your post.

The cloth badge you describe was a general issue to those who worked in the Royal Ordnance factories as per the photo which shows the Wages Department of ROF Kirby.

There was also a plastic version as the pattern card shows.

Jon