Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Civil Defense Air Raid Warden Helmet, c. 1942-1945 |
Object Name |
Hat, Hard |
Description |
Civil Defense Air Raid Warden Helmet, c. 1942-1945. This metal helmet is round in shape and is painted in gray. In front of the top center portion of the helmet's head, there is a blue circle with a red/white striped triangle, which is the symbol for Civil Defense Air Raid Warden. On the back of the helmet on the outside border, it is surrounded by metal bracket ends painted in white with each of them are tied to a brown cloth strap, which is connected to a black fabric circle in the middle. Surrounding in the middle, above the black fabric circle, is a brown leather head strap, which covers the portion of the head in the helmet. On the left and right metal ends of the helmet, the brown cloth straps are connected to a brown small leather chinstrap with a small metal loop bracket used for adjusting the strap on to the chin, and a metal nail holding the chinstrap together. In the middle of the inside of the helmet, in a red circle with a single white star, the painted text in blue says "Mfd. by / LOS ANGELES". The words "LOS ANGELES" are in bold. In between the red circle, in white outer border with a blue background, in white, the painted text says "B.F. McDonald CO." The words "McDonald" is disproportionately bigger than the rest of the text above. |
Date |
c. 1942-1945 |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Catalog Number |
1977.248.001 |
Dimensions |
H-12.5 W-10.75 D-0.25 inches |
Collection |
3D - Clothing |
Inscription Text |
"Mfd. by / B.F. McDonald CO. / LOS ANGELES" (painted in blue and white text on a red circle with a white inside border with a blue background with a white star in the inside of the back of the helmet, with the words "B.F. McDonald" are disproportionately bigger, and "LOS ANGELES" is in bold) |
Notes |
An air raid warden is "a civilian having special duties during an air-raid alert, as directing people to air-raid shelters." [http://www.dictionary.com/browse/air-raid-warden-10/13/2016] "Air Raid Wardens had several main duties that they were trained to perform, which were all very difficult and time consuming tasks. They had to supervise the blackout, and report people to the police who continually ignored it. They had to sound the air raid sirens so that everybody knew that they had to get to the shelter, as well as supervising people getting in and out of the air raid shelters. They also had to check that everybody had their gas masks, and that they were all fitting properly, as well as sounding alerts if there was a gas attack. In addition to this, they also had to evacuate people away from unexploded bombs, and report the bombs and other damage to the warden control center." [http://blitzschool.co.uk/air-raid-warden/4578806750-10/13/2016] "The Air Raid Warden is chosen carefully. The position of Air Raid Warden may be filled by either a man or woman, provided the person chosen is capable of performing the duties. One of the most important duties is to set an example of controlled activity and cool efficiency under all conditions. Training is given all Air Raid Wardens in gas and fire-bomb defense, first aid, and general organization of air-raid services. The stripes in the insigne of Air Raid Wardens signify "many duties"." [Smith, Cleveland H. and Taylor, Gertrude R. United States Service Symbols. p.97. http://www.printmag.com/j-j-sedelmaier/charles-t-coiner/-10/13/2016] |
Search Terms |
Air Raid Warden Air Raid Warden’s Helmet Civil Defense Civilian Defense Helmet Military War World War II World War Two |
Subjects |
Civil defense Helmets War World War II Soldiers |
Credit line |
SMCHA Collection |