The War Illustrated, Volume 1, No. 1, Page iii, September 16, 1939.

In this page we give week by week particulars of Britain’s Auxiliary Serves in which men and women may play their part as Volunteers, whether part time or full time, in the work of National Defence. A first selection appears below.

Today the civilian is as much in the front line as the soldier, and the nation’s power of resistance to sudden and continuous attack from the air lie in the efficiency with which its civil defence is organized.

This is a new branch of defence with no traditions to guide it, and very little experience to fall back upon. It demands the co-operation of every citizen, without exception.

An immense effort has been made by civic authorities in every part of the kingdom to ensure that no matter what happens the life of the nation shall go on, and to ensure the maintenance of order, the continuance of business and industry, and the protection of vital communications.

A.R.P. is a triumph of civilian effort, and a policy has been worked out which ensures the maximum safety for everyone. Already sufficient steel shelters have been supplied to protect six and a half million people in the most dangerous areas, and ten million will soon be available. Under the Civil Defence Act all industrial or commercial undertakings employing more than 50 persons are under statutory obligation to plan suitable shelters for them. On open sites trenches have been dug to afford cover to those who cannot reach A.R.P. shelters in time.

Behind these first line measures of civilian defence stands a civilian army of over 2,500,000, trained to do its part in the protection of life and property, and to cope with any situation which might arise from a sudden attack from the air.

A.F.S. (Auxiliary Fire Service)

To meet the risk of destruction and fires caused by mass air attack, the Auxiliary Fire Service was brought into being by the Air Raid Precautions Act of 1937. The duties of the auxiliary firemen fall into several categories. The majority are trained for active fire-fighting duties, and have their own appliances-pumps of different types and capacities-and they work side by side with the permanent brigade. Others are serving with emergency water units.

There is also a river service to augment the crews of the London Fire Brigade fire boats, and also to man auxiliary and improvised fire boats.

A.R.P. (Women’s Voluntary Service)

The Woman’s Voluntary Services for Civil Defence is a national voluntary organization which, in co-operation with the various departments concerned, undertakes the enrolment of women in the different branches of Civil Defence work. The services with which it particularly deals are Air Raid Precautions, Nursing and First Aid Services, and Evacuation services.

The address of the H.Q. of the Organization is:-41, Tothill Street, London, S.W.1; and in Scotland, 7, Coates Gardens, Edinburgh 3.

Under A.R.P. women are stationed at the First Aid posts to give treatment to minor casualties or serve as drivers and attendants for the fleet of ambulances.

W.R. (Police War Reserve)

The Police War Reserve consists of those persons who are willing to serve only in the event of war, and their duties are the same as those of the regular police force. This auxiliary service is at present confined to the Metropolitan and City of London Police Forces. (Age limits 25-55.) In wartime members of this reserve are paid and receive free medical treatment. Compensation is payable in respect of death or disablement in the course of duty.

W.R.N.S. (Women’s Royal Naval Service)

The Women’s Royal Naval Service (18-50) is organized in two categories, specialized and general. The former includes office duties, transport work and cooking; the latter, general duties such as storekeeper, messenger, etc. Ranks: Officers: Chief Officer, First Officer and Second Officer. Ratings: Chief Wren, Leading Wren and Wren. The Service is raised at the large naval ports, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Chatham and Roysth on an immobile basis, i.e. officers and ratings will only be accepted who undertake to serve in those areas. Uniform of a naval type is worn.

A.R.P. (Air Raid Wardens)

Among the many duties which devolve upon the Air Raid Warden are the distribution and fitting of gas masks to the residents in his area, to see that houses and shops in his sector rigidly adhere to the black-out regulations, and to get people off the streets and into shelters whenever air-raids are in progress. Other A.R.P. workers include stretcher-bearers, decontaminators and first-aid squads.

Auxiliary Fire Service (Women’s Branch)

Women are recruited for the London Auxiliary Fire Service in two categories:

1. Motor Drivers. Their action stations are at the Fire Brigade H.Q., all regular fire stations, and the numerous auxiliary stations. Their three main duties are:
   1. To act as car dispatch riders.
   2. To act as drivers of light vans or cars for towing trailer pumps to fires.
   3. To act as drivers of staff cars.
2. Watch room Workers. At each of the London Fire Brigade local stations a watch room attendant is employed whose duty is to deal with fire calls. Women auxiliaries provide a part of this additional personnel. The principal duties are:
   1. To take in fire calls and to order on the appropriate appliances.
   2. To receive information as to damaged water, gas and electricity mains, roads rendered impassable, collapsed buildings, poison gas, etc.
   3. To maintain the necessary records as to fires, casualties, etc.