Civil Defense Senior Fire Guard Tiotle

WWII Senior Fire Guard title. Embroidered on black wool.

Fire Watchers Scheme was instigated in January 1941. This new decree meant that buildings within certain designated areas had to have a fire watcher present 24 hours a day. They were to deal with incendiaries as best they could and call on the assistance of the fire and rescue parties as required.
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For some businesses finding cover for their buildings was difficult and so the Government implemented a compulsory scheme of fire watching. Fire Guards (men (aged 16-30) and women (aged 20-45) were to be called up for duty and volunteers were also accepted (men up to age 70 and women to the age of 60). Generally, the duties of watching buildings were tedious, with long, boring nights, and the requirement proved highly unpopular.
Fire Guards on duty during second world war
Staged photo of two Fire Guards on duty during second world war. They are wearing the Zuckerman helmet, Fire Guard armband and have civilian respirators gas masks.
Fire Guards did not receive any official uniform but generally wore civilian clothes or a boiler suit. They would be issued with a helmet, armband, torch and a means of dealing with small fires (a stirrup pump) and a scoop for picking up incendiaries and a bucket of sand to put them out.

Code: 58069