A good original example of a

British WW-II Home Front

Battle of Britain-era

Mk-II Brodie Steel Helmet

issued to an 

Air Raid Warden

in Hampshire's 

ARP/Civil Defence Organisation

Established in 1935 as the Air-Raid Precautions Service, (ARP) 

the name was changed in the early years of World War Two (1941) 

to The Civil Defence (CD) whereupon it then incorporated the 

Auxiliary Fire Service, (later the NFS), Fire Guards, Wardens, Decontamination Teams, 

Welfare, Rescue, Messengers,  First Aid & Stretcher Party organisations etc

.

Initially no uniforms were authorised, 

with the civilians recruited being issued only 

with black painted steel helmets,

(often British Army Dunkirk-recovered helmets),

 and gas-masks & identifying armbands; 

however in 1941, with the name change to 

Civil Defence.


Finally disbanded at war’s end on May 2nd 1945, 

after losing some  2,400 members in action to German air-raids on the UK from a 

total war-time recruitment of some 1.9 million men & women, 

the ARP/Civil Defence services were honoured by 

King George VI at a Farewell ceremony held in London’s Hyde Park.


With a black all-over rough paint to finish to about 95%

and with a small dent to the crown, the under side of the

helmet is clearly stamped 

AH 1939


On close inspection there also appears to be above it,the bottom 

half of a well hidden double-letter

under the helmet edging which could be 

B.S.

...if so this would refer to the rare manufacturer:

William Beardmore Steel Co. Glasgow


However the Rexine liner,

which is very supple though missing its black lace,

is very clearly marked

7 1/4
TTC

(Teddy Toy Company Ltd.  Dagenham 1939-1943)

II 
1939

whilst the original, still elasticated chinstrap,

is a little worn but still in situ.


All in all another honest civilian ARP-issued Brodie helmet

from the Hampshire WW-II Home Front.


 Thanks for looking..!