Description
Physical description
helmet
High-domed steel helmet with a wide brim, painted grey. Around the helmet are a series of punched holes through which is threaded a length of cord similar to a shoelace. The white tape and leather liner is secured to the shell by this cord. There is some external corrosion but 95% of the grey paint finish remains.
History note
One of 3 'tin' helmets found among the effects Mr R M Howes, the late husband of the donor. 'He was Civil Servant (Ministry of Education) and the 2 more modern helmets were issued during the 1939-45 war as usual Civil Defence equipment (for Fire Guard duty etc). The old helmet dates from the 1914-18 war when he served in the Green Howards (Yorkshire Regt.) as Captain. He had a shrapnel wound in 1917 and later (1918) was awarded the Military Cross.' (Undated post card from donor held in acquisition file).
The London Blitz of 1940 highlighted the inadequacies of the authorities to gain control. The ARP in all their forms were stretched to capacity, therefore when 1kg magnesium incendiary bombs crashed through roofs later to ignite undetected, the destruction of private property and industrial structures was costly. In those circumstances Fire Watchers were recruited (composed of men up to the age of 63 years) and posted at night to overlook factories, warehouses and other industrial buildings. Each night they would take to their posts (often in danger during raids) and report which buildings were hit before the fire took hold.
Armed with portable stirrup-pumps, protective helmets and sand-filled buckets, Supplementary Fire Parties (recruited by the fire service) and Street Fire Parties (recruited by the ARP), would watch over residential properties in the same way that Fire Watchers oversaw industrial structures, but also to intervene and stop small fires from spreading. From 1941 all were to become the Fire Guard, controlled by local authorities but trained to a national standard. During the 'Baedeker raids' of 1942, the Fire Guard was tested to the extreme and proved successful, and in 1943 was separated from the ARP/CD so that it could be more integrated with the strategy of the National Fire Service.
As supplies of the standard MKII steel helmets (and derivatives) were limited, the 'Civilian' pattern was the authorised helmet designed to be worn by Fire Guard personnel. Costing 5s 6d, over 10 million were produced between 1940 and 1941. With no need for ballistic protection, the helmet's high dome offered adequate protection to the wearer's head for the task it was designed, much in the same way as current industrial worker's 'hard hats'.
Seniority and responsibility of rank in the Fire Guard was expressed by the application of between one and three black bands around the helmet and helmets were often painted with the letters, FG & SFP, depending on the role of the wearer.
Written (on label inside)
ESTABLISHMENT OFFICER, BOARD OF EDUCATION, ALEXANDRA HOUSE, KINGSWAY, LONDON, WC2
Printed (inside headband)
B & Co Ltd 1941 7
Stamped (under brim)
5-4 BMB