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ARP named wardens

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?
 
As I understand it John, Fire Watchers kept a look-out for incendary/fire bombs, extinguished fires, that sort of thing (but I'm no expert !). Wardens were concerned with making sure the public were safe. What's remarkable about all these roles is how exposed to danger, men and women who volunteered were in WW2. You have to admire their efforts and bravery.
 
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"
 
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
Click to expand...
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"
Click to expand...

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.
 
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