Original Item: One Only. Only now with Cable Television do we begin to realize that WW2 was fought every bit as much at home as on the front lines. The German BLITZ and fire bombing of the years 1940 and 1941 almost brought England to it’s knees. The daily mass attacks now seen on old newsreels shows just how much the civilian population suffered and in turn contributed to the war effort.
Various different helmets were issued for use during WW2 for use in Civil defense. This one is a version that has a rolled edge, and circular rings around it in the steel from the stamping process. This helmet has been repainted red on the upper surface, and has A. F. S. stenciled on in white, for the Auxiliary Fire Service. The chin strap is leather and of a simple design.
The liner in the helmet is a standard MkII Brodie liner, and is marked with size 6 3/4, as well as maker TTC (Teddy Toy Company Ltd.) and dated 1940. Liner is in good condition.
The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was first formed in 1938 in Great Britain as part of the Civil Defence Service. Its role was to supplement the work of brigades at local level. In this job it was hampered severely by the incompatibility of equipment used by these different brigades — most importantly the lack of a standard size of hydrant valve. The Auxiliary Fire Service and the local brigades were superseded in August 1941 by the National Fire Service.
A fine WW2 Home Front Helmet just as it was in WW2.