Civil Emergency Services 

Subcategories

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  Civil Defence

  The UK Civil Defence organisation was formed shortly before WW2, where it was most active. It was revived afterwards during the 'Cold War'. This section includes ARP (Air Raid Precautions) badges, Fire Watchers insignia, Civil Nursing Reserve, Air Raid Wardens shoulder titles, Rescue and Welfare organisation patches. Royal Observer Corps insignia is in a separate section.
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  Fire and Rescue Service

  Fire and Rescue Service Insignia for sale, including Fire Brigade rank markings, cap badges, uniform patches and shoulder slides.

  During World War 2, Fire Brigades were brought under central Government control (nationalised) in 1941 in order to be able to quickly share resources across the UK. From 1941-1948, all Fire Brigades in the UK wore the same design of NFS (National Fire Service) cap badge. In 1948, Fire Brigades returned to a regional structure under local authority control and adopted separate designs for the badges of each town and county Fire Service. In 1974 there was a major re-structure of UK counties and the names of many fire brigades changed as a result.

  Most of the badges on our catalogues are from UK town and county fire brigadesand date from 1948 to the present day.

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  Ambulance Insignia

  Ambulance Service insignia for sale, including cap badges and uniform patches. This section includes St. John Ambulance and Red Cross insignia.
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  Fire Service Uniform Buttons

  Fire Brigade uniform clothing buttons for sale. During World War 2, Fire Brigades were brought under central Government control (nationalised) in 1941 in order to be able to quickly share resources across the UK. From 1941-1948, all Fire Brigades in the UK wore the same design of NFS (National Fire Service) button. In 1948, Fire Brigades returned to a regional structure under local authority control and adopted separate designs for the buttons and badges of each town and county Fire Service. In 1974 there was a major re-structure of UK counties andthe names of many fire brigades changed as a result.

  Most of the buttons on our catalogues are from UK town and county fire brigades and date from 1948 to the present day.

  Fire Brigade buttons tend tobe chromium plated - this is shown as chrome on our button catalogues.