Civil Defence Collection

The scene at No. 38 Dudley Road, Folkestone when a shell fired from the German batteries
The scene at No.38 Dudley Road, Folkestone when a shell fired from the German batteries on the French coast struck the house

Building the outer foundations for an air raid shelter in a garden in Hextable. 1938

Firemen rescuing people from their house on Tabernacle St, Shoreditch. 11th January 1941

British schoolchildren practicing putting on their gas masks, World War II, 1939-1945 (b / w photo)
6015158 British schoolchildren practicing putting on their gas masks, World War II, 1939-1945 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

A church service in the bombed out remains of Norwich Cathedral. Norwich was bombed as part of the Baedeker Raids against historic and beautiful cities such as Bath

V1 (Robotplane) damage at Arlington Road, Southgate, N14, London, 19th June 1944

Delayed Action Bomb explodes on King Edward Street while Bomb disposal Team are working on it. Two casualties and L.F.S are called in to clear debris. 9th March 1941

The shooters meal in the Voetboogdoelen in Amsterdam in celebration of the conclusion... 1779. Creator: Jacob Cats
The shooters meal in the Voetboogdoelen in Amsterdam in celebration of the conclusion of the peace of Munster, 18 June 1648, 1779

Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IIIrd District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Creator
Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IIIrd District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Allaert Cloeck and Lieutenant Lucas Jacobsz Rotgans, 1632

The Company of Captain Pieter Dircksz Hasselaer and Lieutenant Jan Gerritsz Hooft, Amsterdam, c.1595-c.1605

Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IIIrd District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Creators
Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IIIrd District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Jacob Gerritsz Hoyngh and Lieutenant Nanningh Florisz Cloeck, 1616

Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain J Creator
Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of the IVth District of Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Jan Claesz van Vlooswijck and Lieutenant Gerrit Hudde, 1642

Officers and other Civic Guardsmen of the XIX District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Co Creator
Officers and other Civic Guardsmen of the XIX District of Amsterdam, under the command of Captain Cornelis Bicker and Lieutenant Frederick van Banchem, waiting to welcome Marie de Medicis

Officers and other Civic Guardsmen of the V District in Amsterdam under the command of Captain Corne Creator
Officers and other Civic Guardsmen of the V District in Amsterdam under the command of Captain Cornelis de Graeff and Lieutenant Hendrick Lauwrensz, 1642

Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of District XVIII in Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Albe Creator
Officers and Other Civic Guardsmen of District XVIII in Amsterdam, under the Command of Captain Albert Dircksz Bas and Lieutenant Lucas Pietersz Conijn, 1645

Banquet of Eighteen Guardsmen of Squad L, Amsterdam 1566, known as The Perch Eaters, 1566. Creator: Dirck Barendsz
Banquet of Eighteen Guardsmen of Squad L, Amsterdam 1566, known as The Perch Eaters, 1566

The Company of Captain Dirck Jacobsz Rosecrans and Lieutenant Pauw, 1588. Creator: Cornelius Ketel
The Company of Captain Dirck Jacobsz Rosecrans and Lieutenant Pauw, 1588. Other Title(s): The Company of Captain Dirck Jacobsz Rosecrans and Lieutenant Pauw, Amsterdam, 1588

La garde champetre; Derriere le front de la Somme, a Hangest-en-Santerre, 1916. Creator: Unknown
La garde champetre; Derriere le front de la Somme, a Hangest-en-Santerre : lecture d'une proclamation concernant l'alarme a donner en cas d'apparition d'avions allemands, 1916

Farewell To Civil Defence, 10 June 1945, (1947). Creator: Unknown
Farewell To Civil Defence, 10 June 1945, (1947). Stand-down parade of Civil Defence Forces, Hyde Park, London, end of the Second World War

The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: arrival of volunteers on the racecourse, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: arrival of volunteers on the racecourse, 1862. Nothing could be finer than the approach of something like 12, 000 men in close column, at quick march

Lady Belhaven presenting new colours to the 26th Regiment (Cameronians) at the... 1862. Creator: Unknown
Lady Belhaven presenting new colours to the 26th Regiment (Cameronians) at the Parade-Ground, Queen's Park, Edinburgh, 1862. From "Illustrated London News", 1862

The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: people on the Downs, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: people on the Downs, 1862. Nothing could be finer than the approach of something like 12, 000 men in close column, at quick march

The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: General Lord Clyde returning the salute of the... 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Volunteer Field-Day at Brighton: General Lord Clyde returning the salute of the troops as they marched past the grand stand, 1862

The South Middlesex Volunteers, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
The South Middlesex Volunteers, 1862. Sergeant Thompson, Enseign [Tonks?], Capt. Murdoch, Capt. and Adjt. Spence Turner, Capt. Bromley, Lord Ranelagh, Major Atherley, Lieut

The Tiro Nazionale at Florence, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The Tiro Nazionale at Florence, 1862. Engraving from a drawing by M. Mariani....a number of military societies have been constituted

V1 flying bomb attack, Aldwych, London, 30th June 1944. One of the deadliest attacks, 46 people were killed and at least 200 others suffered serious injuries

Bomb damage at Saltburn, children looking at a bombed building from a metal fence

Members of the public inspect a crater in Albert Bridge Road, Battersea, London, following a daylight raid. February 16th 1941

Damage to Ethelburga Street School following a daylight raid on Battersea, London. February 16th 1941

East End greengrocer doing his best to remain open for his customers despite the inconvenience of the shop and his home being bombed by the Luftwaffe during the air raids on London in the Second

Fire crews, police and ARP wardens help salvage furniture from properties close to Taylors Great Central Depository in St Georges Road, Southwark

Parade of Air Raid Precaution (ARP) Wardens in reading, Berkshire during the Second World War. Circa 1941

Birmingham A. R. P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central
Birmingham A.R.P. ambulance drivers and attendants in their new uniforms at the Central Car Park Depot taking instruction. 23rd April 1940

Picture shows a female ARP Warden in World War Two. The picture is from The Hull Daily Mail, and thus probably taken in the area of Hull, Yorkshire. APR Wardens during World War 2

The Fire Boat - used by The Hull Fire Brigade to put out the city fires by sending in water from a boat in nearby water. The officer in the picture is named as Chief Goodrich, (or Goodich)

A girl telephonist at the main A. R. P. control centre of Liverpool operating her phone
A girl telephonist at the main A.R.P. control centre of Liverpool operating her phone while wearing a gas mask. 13th April 1941

Soldiers of the 30th Surrey Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery, part of the Territorial Army sign in for their summer training camp at the TA barracks in Surbiton Road, Kingston Upon Thames

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham inspecting a fleet of new A. R. P
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham inspecting a fleet of new A.R.P. ambulances at the Municipal Car Park Depot with Councillor N Tiptaft (Chairman of the A.R.P. committee and Mr V Hamilton (Chief A.R.P)

ARP personnel and rescue workers did through the rubble of Sculcoates Lane, Hull looking for survivors following the raid on the city 7th - 8th May 1941

House in Park Hill Road, Torquay partly destroyed by a bomb during an air raid. 29th May 1944

George Greenwell carrying hose (right) with Guy Bartholomew Editorial Director of the Daily Mirror (Centre) and Station Officer Harding seen here during pump training at London Fire Brigade

George Greenwell (right) with Guy Bartholomew Editorial Director of the Daily Mirror (Centre) and Station Officer Harding seen here during pump training at London Fire Brigade Headquarters Circa 1940

Stretch of beach that has been closed to the public at Eastbourne for the duration of the war. A small baby is well protected whilst his parents bathe. 24th June 1941

View of the bombed fire station at Tooting in South London following an air raid by the German Luftwaffe. 1943

Bomb damage in Kentish Town, London, 19th June 1944

Bomb damage, London Chest Hospital, Bethnal Green in London, 2st March 1941

The Wider Image: In training with Polands volunteer militia
A recruit marches toward breakfast meal after morning exercises during 16-day basic training for Polands Territorial Defence Forces, at a military unit in Siedlce, Poland, December 8, 2017

British air raid warning siren, Ruislip, London, World War II, 1939-1945 (b / w photo)
6015321 British air raid warning siren, Ruislip, London, World War II, 1939-1945 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British air raid warning siren)

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"Civil Defence: Protecting Lives and Rebuilding Communities" Firemen selflessly rescue residents from their homes on Tabernacle St, Shoreditch amidst the chaos of a devastating fire. British schoolchildren diligently practice putting on gas masks during World War II (1939-1945), a poignant black and white reminder of their resilience. The haunting scene at No. 38 Dudley Road, Folkestone, where a shell fired from German batteries wreaked havoc but couldn't break the spirit of the community. Witness the determination as foundations for an air raid shelter are built in a Hextable garden, providing safety amidst relentless bombings. A solemn church service takes place within the bombed-out remains of Norwich Cathedral, symbolizing hope and faith even in times of destruction. Arlington Road in Southgate bears witness to V1 (Robotplane) damage on 19th June 1944 - a stark reminder of the constant threat faced by Londoners during WWII. Amidst danger, a delayed action bomb explodes on King Edward Street while brave Bomb Disposal Teams work tirelessly to protect lives and restore peace. An Air Raid Precautions cigarette card from 1938 serves as a historical artifact showcasing Britain's preparedness against aerial attacks before war broke out. Aldwych suffers one of its deadliest moments with a V1 flying bomb attack on 30th June 1944 - an event that forever changed countless lives and landmarks alike. Members of the public gather to inspect an enormous crater left behind after devastation struck Albert Bridge Road in Battersea, London - testament to both destruction and resilience. Despite these challenges: East End greengrocers remain open for their customers despite adversity; their unwavering dedication ensures sustenance even amid chaos. Fire crews, police officers, and ARP wardens unite forces to salvage furniture from properties near disaster zones, embodying the spirit of community and support.