Hi everyone, just put this display together showing British anti-gas equipment used by civilians 1939-45.

Clockwise from left, a 1939 dated babies anti gas suit, an ARP gas rattle, a gasmask for a small child, civilian duty gasmask (used by ARP wardens, rescue workers etc), Service type respirator (issued to firemen, police and others) civilian gasmask issued to asthmatics, with bag, boxed respirator issued to most adults and older children.

I think its incredible to consider the logistics and cost of making sure every person in Britain was protected. This involved the rapid manufacture and mass issue of millions of masks in the period 1938-39, together with public information and training programmes. By the outbreak of war, virtually everyone had a mask and knew how to use it. The government did an incredible job.

Any comments welcome.

Doug

Click to enlarge the picture