Civil Defence Service - Uniforms and Insignia

Uniforms and Insignia

Initially, in the early part of the war the service had no recognizable uniform. Members would generally wear civilian clothes, for example, boiler suits etc. As uniforms became more available from February 1941, the service was issued with dark blue battledress and berets. Those not issued with a uniform would be issued with a blue armband with yellow Civil Defence written on it.

Insignia included a circular breast badge worn on the left pocket incorporating the letters CD topped by a king’s crown (in yellow on dark blue or black backing). A similar smaller badge with yellow circle around the CD and crown was used for the beret.

The type of service a member belonged to would be called out on shoulder flashes. Additionally there were instructor badges and first aid badges that could be worn on the lower sleeves as well as red chevrons – each depicting a year of service.

Rank was indicated by yellow bars (2½ inches x ¼ or ¾ inches) or chevrons:

• Controller - 2 narrow over 1 broad
• Chief Warden - 1 narrow over 1 broad
• Deputy Chief Warden - 1 broad
• Divisional Warden - 3 narrow
• Head or Post Warden - 3 chevrons (sometimes beneath a star)
• Senior Warden - 1 or 2 chevrons

Members of the various services were issued with service gas masks and helmets - often marked with an abbreviation of their specific role - see Zuckerman helmet. For example, W for Warden, FAP for First Aid Post, SP for Stretcher Party or FG for Fire Guard.