On duty to deal with wartime threats

DURING the dark days of the Second World War, Britain faced unprecedented aerial threats. The Air Raid Precautions (ARP) service (later the Civil Defence Service) was established by the Home Office in the mid-1930s. It emerged from growing concerns about aerial bombardment following the First World War. When war broke out again in 1939, it was ready with a network of wardens, rescue teams and auxiliary firefighters stationed across Britain.

- JO CLARKE

Men and women volunteered in a range of roles, including Fire Guards, First Aid Workers and Air Raid Precautions Wardens. At the start of the war, they wore their day-to-day clothing. By 1939, they donned distinctive dark blue uniforms and steel helmets to help to protect their communities.

ARP wardens enforced blackout regulations, guided people to shelters during raids, and reported bomb damage. Once the raids were over, they co-ordinated rescue efforts, administered first aid and helped to maintain public morale.

The Blitz of 1940/41 was the organisation's greatest test, when German bombers pounded British cities night after night.