South African Civil Protective Service?

[BokJock]

Good morning Harry.

I am researching the Durban Water Police, and understand that they were run by the Durban Borough Police pre-WW2, but that the Essential Services Protection Corps took over the function during the war years. I had never heard of the ESPC before, and wondered if you were able to provide any information which may assist me?

Many thanks

Frans

[milhistry]

Originally Posted by Arthur R

I'm wondering if the Civilian Guard might have been renamed 'Civic Guard' during the course of the war. The name seems to crop up in 1943, '44 and '45. As the badge depicts the figure of Justice, perhaps the change was made after the CPS was transferred to the Dept of Justice in 1943. This is pure conjecture, of course.

Quite possibly. I recently came across this on the internet. It seems the Civic Guard was disbanded in 1949. The figure of justice badge appeared on the letterhead at the time so these badges must have replaced the earlier CPS ones.

[Arthur R]

Thanks for posting the photo. If I read the certificate correctly, the chap's rank was called 'Guardsman'.

[milhistry]

Affirmative. I bet that would ruffle some feathers in the Household Division!
I've previously seen wartime CPS members referred to as Constable and the Warrant Card looks like it says Special Const