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ARP named wardens

  • Thread starter Thread starter sheila cox
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There were 30 of these saloon buses 42 - 61 AOP 42 - 61 and 32 - 41 BOL 32 - 41. All were converted to ambulances in 1939 an were eventually returned to service buses towards the end of WW2 or shortly afterwards.
 
Vivienne14 said:
Found a detailed caption for the canteen photo in post #23 on Facebook - see quote below. This suggests they were ambulance drivers. Doubtless the ARP canteen was made available to various support services during the War. The photo is dated 26 October 1939 (Source: Media Storehouse).

"Ambulance Drivers with Tea at A.R.P. Depot, Sparkhill, 26th October 1939
A nice cup of tea. Ambulance drivers have a cup of tea at a canteen for A.R.P. workers at the Court Road depot, Sparkhill, which is open day and night. 26th October 1939. © Mirrorpix
Staff
Birmingham Post and Mail Archive Mirrorpix"
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Yes they all worked as one Unit
it did not matter what
Badge or Insignia
you wore
 
I've moved discussions about the organisation, uniforms ARP support services etc to a separate thread in the link below.

After recently looking into WW2 ARP reports in newspapers, there are many individually named ARP Warden references which are worth recording in this thread. They may prove useful and of interest to other researchers and family members. I shall list those names in due course.

Unfortunately I haven't yet found references to earlier enquiries. But shall keep looking.

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/arp-warden-organisation-uniform-centres.62281
 
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The following list names ARP wardens who were recognised for their actions as Wardens during WW2. I have extracted this information from newspaper reports. There is also a thread with names of ARP Rescue Party members who received awards on this link:
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/threads/arp-named-rescue-party-workers.62285

For many, very little detail is given about the person. Occasionally, the Sector location where the warden was operating is provided, but mostly they only give reference to a warden in 'Birmingham'.

Sometimes, a short report is given about actions they took meriting an award. Some of these are attached.

I shall be adding to this post over time as more come to light. If anyone has information they'd like me to add to this list, please let me know. And if you spot any errors please also let me know. Thanks.

Note, these are not yet organised alphabetically.

LIST OF AWARDS TO ARP WARDENS DURING WW2

George Medal
Charles Arthur Freeman (Gazette report quotes "Pearson and ''Freeman'', Birmingham Post quotes 'Freeman')), 2 Cooksey Road, Small Heath, Voluntary Warden (14/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)

British Empire Medal
Amelia Johnson (5/7/1941, Birmingham Post)
Henry Herbert Pickering, Group ARP Warden, Birmingham (19/7/1941. Birmingham Post)
Mrs E Stebbings, head lady warden, Kenyon Street ARP Sub- Division, Birmingham (12/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
John B Williams ARP Group Warden, Birmingham (12/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Winifred Yates, Voluntary Warden, 35 Gopsal Street, Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty (14/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Charles Ernest Rudge, Senior ARP Warden, 25 Osborne Road, Sparkbrook (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Charles William Bowker, Voluntary ARP Warden, 21 Osborne Road, Sparkbrook (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Thomas Bradley, ARP Warden, 10 Stretton Grove, Ward End (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)

Commendations
Ada Louise Rose, ARP Warden, for brave conduct (14/11/1940, Birmingham Gazette)
Howell Thomas, ARP Sector Warden, Birmingham (8/3/1941, Birmingham Post)
Nelly Adams, ARP Warden Birmingham for brave conduct (15/3/194, Birmingham Gazette)
William Ford, ARP Sector Warden, Montpelier Road, Erdington, Birmingham for brave conduct (15/3/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Eric Copson, ARP Warden, 532 Bromford Lane Ward End Birmingham (21/6/1951, Birmingham Post)
Arthur Pain, ARP Warden, 54 Rogers Road Ward End Birmingham (21/6/1941, Birmingham Mail)
Mrs Withers, Warden, Birmingham, for carrying out her duties during intense enemy activity, with courage and devotion to duty (15/2/1941, Birmingham Post)
William McGuinn Carter, Volunteer Warden, Birmingham (19/7/1941, Birmingham Post)
Cyril John Potter, deputy head ARP warden, Birmingham (22/3/1941! Birmingham Gazette)
20260111_135758.jpg20260111_135401.jpgView attachment 216883
Screenshot_20260110_064458_Chrome.jpg

Source: British Newspaper ArchiveView attachment 216905View attachment 216907Screenshot_20260112_193302_Chrome.jpg
 
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JohnCCD said:
I believe my father was an ARP warden. If anyone comes across a Thomas Day in the records I'd be very interested and grateful for the information. Thanks!
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I shall look in newspapers for you in case he's mentioned, John. Where was Thomas living during WW2 ?
 
Thanks Vivienne! I think he lived in Handsworth but it could have been Sutton or possibly Great Barr. He may well be listed as Thomas Evans Day. He liked to use Evans Day instead of just Day.
 
Hello John, don't know how old your dad would have been, & possibly wrong area, but ancestry 1939 register gives a result for a 15 year old "Thomas Ev Day", living with presumably his parents Ewart & Doris at Greenaleigh Road. (I think Yardley Wood area) Both Ewart & Thomas are listed as ARP messengers.
 
That sounds promising Maz. I did a newspaper search but couldn't turn up anything. But I searched for 'warden' Shall go back and have another look as messenger.
 
Thanks for looking Maz and Vivienne. My father was 21 in 1939 and his parents were Thomas and Sybil so that's not him unfortunately.
I vaguely remember my mum saying he had been a fire watcher. Is that the same as a warden?
 
Vivienne14 said:
The following list names ARP wardens who were recognised for their actions as Wardens during WW2. I have extracted this information from newspaper reports.

For many, very little detail is given about the person. Occasionally, the Sector location where the warden was operating is provided, but mostly they only give reference to a warden in 'Birmingham'.

Sometimes, a short report is given about actions they took meriting an award. Some of these are attached.

I shall be adding to this post over time as more come to light. If anyone has information they'd like me to add to this list, please let me know. And if you spot any errors please also let me know. Thanks.

Note, these are not yet organised alphabetically.

LIST OF AWARDS TO ARP WARDENS DURING WW2

George Medal
Charles Arthur Freeman (Gazette report quotes "Pearson and ''Freeman'', Birmingham Post quotes 'Freeman')), 2 Cooksey Road, Small Heath, Voluntary Warden (14/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)

British Empire Medal
Amelia Johnson (5/7/1941, Birmingham Post)
Henry Herbert Pickering, Group ARP Warden, Birmingham (19/7/1941. Birmingham Post)
Mrs E Stebbings, head lady warden, Kenyon Street ARP Sub- Division, Birmingham (12/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
John B Williams ARP Group Warden, Birmingham (12/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Winifred Yates, Voluntary Warden, 35 Gopsal Street, Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty (14/6/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Charles Ernest Rudge, Senior ARP Warden, 25 Osborne Road, Sparkbrook (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Charles William Bowker, Voluntary ARP Warden, 21 Osborne Road, Sparkbrook (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Thomas Bradley, ARP Warden, 10 Stretton Grove, Ward End (21/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Horace Edward Jones, Runcorn Road, Birmingham, Rescue Foreman (14/6/1941, Birmingham Post)

Commendations
Ada Louise Rose, ARP Warden, for brave conduct (14/11/1940, Birmingham Gazette)
Howell Thomas, ARP Sector Warden, Birmingham (8/3/1941, Birmingham Post)
Nelly Adams, ARP Warden Birmingham for brave conduct (15/3/194, Birmingham Gazette)
William Ford, ARP Sector Warden, Birmingham for brave conduct (15/3/1941, Birmingham Gazette)
Eric Copson, ARP Warden, 532 Bromford Lane Ward End Birmingham (21/6/1951, Birmingham Post)
Arthur Pain, ARP Warden, 54 Rogers Road Ward End Birmingham (21/6/1941, Birmingham Mail)
Mrs Withers, Warden, Birmingham, for carrying out her duties during intense enemy activity, with courage and devotion to duty (15/2/1941, Birmingham Post)
William McGuinn Carter, Volunteer Warden, Birmingham (19/7/1941, Birmingham Post)
Arthur E Hudson, Lincoln Street Balsall Heath, Rescue Foreman (14/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Robert Porter, Jakeman Road, Balsall Heath, Rescue Foreman (14/6/1941, Birmingham Post)
Cyril John Potter, deputy head ARP warden, Birmingham (22/3/1941! Birmingham Gazette)
View attachment 216877View attachment 216879View attachment 216883
View attachment 216881

Source: British Newspaper Archive
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Interested in the listing of William Ford in your commendation list. I have seen a photo on Acock's Green history site which shows a local group with a man who looks like my uncle Bill (William Ford). Do you have more details of the commendation Viv? Thanks Tinpot.
 
Maz 60 said:
Hi John, Thomas Evans Day listed on ancestry 1939 register with his parents Thomas & Sybil. Address is "Wellington", Hollyfield Road, Sutton Coldfield. The comments line opposite states that Thomas Evans is "ARP First Aid Section Sutton Coldfield". DOB is 26th May 1918. Very tough experience for someone so young. Occupation is shown as "clerk to Borough surveyor"
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Thanks Maz! That's really interesting. He was mostly deaf which would have stoped him being called up. I didn't know he'd ever been a clerk to borough surveyor.
 
Not much to go on I'm afraid Tinpot.The newspaper notice just says commended for brave conduct when he was Sector Warden, nothing about the circumstances or the location other than it was Birmingham.

Source: British Newspaper Archive Screenshot_20260111_192455_Chrome.jpg
 
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Shall shortly be starting up another list on this thread of known wardens who weren't awarded for their work. They did the job that was needed and were equally as courageous as those who received public praise.

As in the list post #26, I shall update the list within that post with any new, additional information. Eventually, I shall organise the two lists alphabetically.
 
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Hi
Lovely way to remember those who did such roles in such awful circumstances. Re William Ford, there may be info on ancestry, under their "all UK, World war II civil defence gallantry awards, 1940 -1949". There is a citation for an incident on 23rd Nov, 1940. William Ford, aged 30, of Montpelier Road Erdington, made his way from an incident to the ARP station to report a fire, despite being seriously injured, along with other injured colleagues.
 
Maz 60 said:
Hi
Lovely way to remember those who did such roles in such awful circumstances. Re William Ford, there may be info on ancestry, under their "all UK, World war II civil defence gallantry awards, 1940 -1949". There is a citation for an incident on 23rd Nov, 1940. William Ford, aged 30, of Montpelier Road Erdington, made his way from an incident to the ARP station to report a fire, despite being seriously injured, along with other injured colleagues.
Click to expand...
 
Looking at the 1939 record I can see that my uncle was in the ARP and also my aunt, Helen C Ford known to me as Connie, looks to have been a member too. He was born in 1902 so was not the William Ford who received citation. Thanks for info.Tinpot
 

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I'm compiling a list which includes ALL serving ARP volunteers. Shall I add your uncle and aunts names to it, Tinpot? Can you decipher the name of the road, please ? Thanks.
 
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Vivienne14 said:
I'm compiling a list which includes ALL serving ARP volunteers. Shall I add your uncle and aunts names to it, Tinpot? Can you decipher the name of the road, please ? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes it is 77 Kilmorie Road. I will search for the photo I had seen again as whilst William was easy to recognise I only thought that there was a woman who might be my aunt. Thanks Tinpot.
 
Thanks Keith, if you want to add any of these names to our list which recognises the efforts of these people, grateful if you could let me know details.
 
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