ARP Warden with gas mask, helmet and hand-pump for putting out fires

What did ARP Wardens wear?

At the start of the War, before uniforms had been issued, ARP Wardens wore their own clothes, plus a steel helmet and wellington boots.  They also wore a locally produced armband and a silver badge. 

Later in the War they wore a one-piece boiler suit in dark blue with their steel helmet and wellingtons. The rubber wellingtons were worn as protection in case mustard gas was used. Men could wear a woollen serge battledress (waist length jacket and trousers). Women wore a jacket with trousers or a skirt and a battledress blouse and tie. 

Many ARP Wardens were volunteers and had to use their own coupons to get their uniforms.