Post 1949 Civil Defence Insignia

[Rob Miller]

I have put together this set of insignia which I plan to frame with some period rank badges, but am I missing any, this Wikipedia page has a chart which seems to explain the structure but I'm left with a few questions. Such as what title was worn by the higher ranking officers in the "Ambulance & First Aid Section"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Defence_Corps

Rob

[Phil2M]

I don't know if these fit into the right time period for your display - http://www.marway-militaria.com/view...h=65160&phqu=2

[Rob Miller]

Thanks Phil, but I suspect they are the part of the earlier wartime ear set which I am also trying to collect.

Rob

[Postwarden]

Rob,

The two you have missing are shown on the accompanying scan - Food Flying Squad worn by WVS members under the Welfare title and Pioneer designed for a section that was either short-lived or never formed.

Jon

[Rob Miller]

Thank you Jon, was the Food Flying Squad also worn in the earlier pre 1949 period?

Rob

[Postwarden]

No it's a post-war item.

The wartime equivalent were the Queen's Messenger Convoys staffed by the WVS who were entitled to a metal badge. See item T1 in my book Doing Their Bit

[Rob Miller]

Once you know what to look for it all gets much easier, so thanks again Jon, just one to find now.

Rob

[Postwarden]

Well done.

Images attached of the Food Flying Squad badge in use.

Jon

[Rob Miller]

Smashing pictures Jon, were the other straight titles "Signal", "Scientific & Reconnaissance" and "Intelligence & Operations" also worn as a secondary title underneath "Headquarters"?

Rob

[Postwarden]

Indeed they were as the attached shows.

Jon

[Rob Miller]

At Stoneleigh this weekend I found quite a few of what I think are civil defence cloth badges, but I need a little help working out how these fit into the picture.

So which of these are post 1949 and which are earlier?
Was there a "Fireguard" department after 1945?
And why are some white rather than yellow?

Thanks, Rob.

[Postwarden]

Rob,

Nice collection.
There was no Fire Guard organisation after 1945 so they are all WW2.

The Hospital Train title has been around for years but I have never accurately placed it although there were Hospital Trains run by the major railway companies to evacuate the anticipated large number of civilian air raid casualties. Possibly intended for the SJAB staff that were part of the trains.

The other group is a little mixed. Port Officer and Port Service were worn by the uniformed RAC staff who assisted members at ferry ports in the 1950s.

Welfare looks like an example of the title that the British Army stipulated should be worn by uniformed CVWW staff working in the Middle East in wartime. It would have been sewn onto a slip-on shoulder strap.

The Controller badges are probably post-war CD from their colour but are not official issue and were probably devised by a local authority. I have never seen evidence of their use.

Hope that helps.

Jon

[Postwarden]

Further to me earlier email.

The Fire Guard was originally an offshoot of the Wardens Service and as such wore gold lettered titles. In 1943 the Fire Guards became a distinct separate service and adopted white on blue badges.

As always with ARP/CD badges there are many variations and anomalies as local authorities and CD regions devised and had produced badges that fitted their individual structures and whims.

Jon

[Rob Miller]

Thanks for the replies Jon.

I assume you mean "Royal Automobile Club" for RAC rather than "Royal Armoured Corps"?

"CVWW" has me stumped though?

Here is a picture of the rear of the straight "Welfare" title, it does seem a little big for a slip on shoulder strap at 90mm by 38mm though.

Rob

[Postwarden]

Rob,

Royal Automobile Club indeed.

The Council Of Voluntary War Work was the co-ordinating body which oversaw the services provided by a range of philanthropic bodies such as the Salvation Army, YMCA, Church Army etc in the provision of canteens and similar recreational facilities for service men and women. This extract from my forthcoming cloth badge book explains some more background; your Welfare title is probably the version intended for wear on BD as noted:-

When these organisations followed the army to the Middle East they adopted khaki drill or battle dress and were issued with British Military Identity cards on condition that uniform was worn at all times with “Welfare” sewn at the top of the sleeve or worn on the shoulder straps in summer. In addition to organisations from Britain, volunteers wearing the “Welfare” title in the Middle East included The Mission to Mediterranean Garrisons, The British and Indian Red Cross Societies, the Indian YMCA - the two Indian bodies catering for the large numbers of Indian troops in Middle East Forces - Hibbert Houses, and Army Scripture Readers. A standard CVWW arm title which was adopted in 1943 was worn with the badge of the individual society below it.

Jon