Original British WWII Air Raid Precautions ARP First Aid Tool Box Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. 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.

This steel toolbox measures 6” x 6” x 14.5” and was re-purposed to be a first aid kit. It is wonderfully painted (original wartime era paint) with a red cross on white circle and the following:

Air Raid Precautions

Sta. #5

Bakelite carry handle is still intact and the folding shelves work perfectly. A lovely reminder of how British citizens banded together to survive AH’s Blitz during some of the darkest times of the war.