Original British WWII Air Raid Precautions A.R.P. Blackout Flash Light – Dated 1941 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a great example of an original British WWII “Blackout” Flash Light. These were used in London’s Blitz Air Raids and were intended to reduce to a minimum the amount of light directed towards the sky. This would make it harder for the German Air Crews to locate inhabited areas. The substantial beam cover on the front of this light is marked:-

C.E.S. CO
A.R.P. 1941
(Crown)
G. VI R.

Complete with bulb but of course NO battery. The interior is empty, and the spare bulb clips are intact, but the spare bulb is missing. The power switch on the top appears to work, but as we do not have any of the correct type of battery cells, we cannot test this for functionality. The bottom of the light is marked : PATENT No. 217135 / MADE IN ENGLAND.

Comes with wire folding carry handle and spring steel belt clip to rear. Included and mounted on the carry handle is a ARP Tunic button marked ARP with Maker’s name of CHENEY / B’HAM on the rear.

Hard to find Blitz item, ready to display.

More about the A.R.P.:

Air Raid Precautions (ARP) was an organization in the United Kingdom set up in 1937 dedicated to the protection of civilians from the danger of air raids. It included the Raid Wardens’ Service that was to report on bombing incidents. Every local council was responsible for organizing ARP wardens, messengers, ambulance drivers, rescue parties and liaison with police and fire brigades.

September 1st, 1939, ARP Wardens enforced the “blackout”. Heavy curtains and shutters were required on all private residences, commercial premises, and factories to prevent light escaping and so making them a possible target for enemy bombers to locate their targets. With increased enemy bombing during the Blitz, the ARP services were central in reporting and dealing with bombing incidents. They managed the air raid sirens and ensured people were directed to shelters.

From 1941 the ARP officially changed its title to Civil Defense Service to reflect the wider range of roles it then encompassed. During the war almost 7,000 Civil Defense workers were killed. In all some 1.4 million men and women served as ARP wardens during World War Two. The Civil Defense Service was stood down after the end of the war in Europe on 2 May 1945.

The ARP Services were to include several specialist branches. First Aid Parties were trained to give first response first aid to those injured in bombing incidents.