Wardens Collection

Traffic Warden
A London traffic warden issuing a parking ticket to a hapless motorist. Not a popular profession. Date: 1980

Female Traffic Warden
A female traffic warden in Chelsea, London, issuing a parking ticket to an unfortunate motorist. Date: late 1960s

The Great Train Robbery- commando raid frees train robber
Front page of The Illustrated London News reporting on the latest episode in the Great Train Robbery saga. As Ronald Biggs clambers with there other prisoners over Wandsworth Gaol wall

On October 7 1941 bombs dropped in Rogerstone, Newport, Wales resulting in the loss of 18 lives. Here rescue workers and wardens attend the scene following the air raid by the German Luftwaffe

House destroyed by German bombing during World War 1
3786778 House destroyed by German bombing during World War 1; (add.info.: House destroyed by German bombing during World War 1. 1916. Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK)

An Air Raid Precaution (ARP) warden and a messenger who wears the 1941 dark blue uniform, which later became the standard for most Civil Defence workers. 13th August 1941

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

The new blue battledress uniform for members of ARP services as announced by Herbert Morrison, Minister for Home Security. May 1941

A. R. P. March Music Cover
An illustrated WW2 music sheet cover for A. R. P. March, composed by C. Gildersleeve. The image portrays some Air Raid Precautions and Civil Defence wardens. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Valentines Card, Warden Love Birds
A WW2 Valentines greetings card, the illustration shows a pair of love birds wearing warden's helmets, perched on a branch, a nest labelled A. I. Post is visible on the right. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Christmas Card, Take Cover
A WW2 Christmas greetings card complete with a red ribbon, the illustration shows a worried terrier taking cover under a warden's hat and satchel. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Greetings Card, Gas Rattle
A WW2 greetings card, Don't get rattled! The image simply shows a gas rattle, issued to air raid wardens to warn of forthcoming gas attacks. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 A. R. P. Wardens
An illustration which shows a pair of British Air Raid Protection wardens at their post, they were responsible for helping civilians during an air raid

Worshipful Company of Vintners, City of London
Worshipful Company of Vintners, livery company of the City of London Date: 18th century

You Can't Be Too Careful!
Cartoon showing an over-enthusiastic ARP warden at a pantomime. He appears to be indulging in some unexpected audience participation. Date: 1940

Put out those dress shirts
Cartoon by Mel highlighting the risks run by gentlemen in immaculate eveningwear during the Blitz. Date: 1939

The Churchwardens (oil on canvas)
868511 The Churchwardens (oil on canvas) by Jonas, Lucien Hector (1880-1947); Musee Municipal, Cambrai, France; (add.info.: The Marguilliers)

Prince Albert Victor Edward of Wales in the City of London (engraving)
1614109 Prince Albert Victor Edward of Wales in the City of London (engraving) by Courbould, Alfred (fl.1831-75); Private Collection; (add.info)

Troops aiding Civil Defence Wardens with salvage work
Troops co-operating with Civil Defence Wardens in salvage work. Date: circa 1941

An Ambulance with Wardens helping in an emergency. Date: circa 1941

A member of the Wardens Service fitting a gas mask
Shorlty after the Munich Agreement, a member of the Wardens Service (and his assistant - far right) - not yet issued with their uniforms - fit gas masks in the living room of a family in Sunderland

View from the Wardens Lodgings, New College, 20 November 1786
1216843 View from the Wardens Lodgings, New College, 20 November 1786 (watercolour over graphite, on paper) by Malchair, John Baptist (1731-1812); 29.9x44.8 cm; Ashmolean Museum

ARP Warden in uniform, September 1939
An ARP warden wearing anti-gas clothing, knee-high impermeable boots and a metal helmet. This warden was in charge of the protection of a hotel in London. Date: 1939

Air raid precautions at Westminster Abbey, September 1939
Selection of pictures detailing the precautions in place for the protection of Westminster Abbey during the war. This included; a fire squad to patrol the cloisters

Female and male warden conferring in street, Sept 1939
Female warden in a steel helmet reading over the latest regulations with another warden, holding a helmet, in the middle of a busy Westminster street

Steel helmets ready to be packed in factory, September 1939
London factory workers stand behind rows of steel helmets, laid out to be packed for dispatch and issued to air-raid wardens as part of the preparations for war

Brixton Purgatory, 1822 (hand-coloured etching)
483058 Brixton Purgatory, 1822 (hand-coloured etching) by English School, (19th century); London Metropolitan Archives, City of London; (add.info.: Shows the prisoners Theodore Hook, William Cobbett)

Illustration of a scene at the Fleet Prison, from Life in London by Pierce Egan
483063 Illustration of a scene at the Fleet Prison, from Life in London by Pierce Egan, c.1820 (aquatint) by Cruikshank, Isaac Robert (1789-1856); 14x21 cm; London Metropolitan Archives

His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth meet members of the emergency and voluntary service in the city of Coventry. 26th February 1942

The clear up operation and the search for survivors and victims of the first V1 attack on the Grove Road railway bridge, Mile End, London. 14th June 1944

A party of rescue workers part of the ARP seen here checking houses damage by blast for trapped residents following a day light air raid on London. 2nd October 1940

His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth meet members of the emergency and voluntary service in the city of Coventry. 26th February 1942

ARP exercise in Reading during the Second World War in preparation for re-acting to German air raids on the city. Picture shows" A " casualty" awaitng attention during the training

Air Raid Precaution training and demonstration taking place in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire during the Second World War, in preparation for German air raids on the town. 19th June 1939

ARP personnel have been spending a holiday as the guests of Oxford University. They are given undergrads quarters, use the dining hall, eat meals with the undergrads

Wardens at work in Hull during the Second World War. Circa 1941

Air Raid Wardens on Parade in the Lincolnshire area of England, in November 1940. The Blitz lasted from 7 Sep 1940 - 11 May 1941, where the German Luftwaffe constantly bombed Britain

Air Raid Precautions (ARP) were organised by the national government and delivered by the local authorities. The aim was to protect civilians from the danger of air-raids

Group of A. R. P Wardens at Bonymaen, near Swansea, who Have been commend for their work
Group of A.R.P Wardens at Bonymaen, near Swansea, who Have been commend for their work during emery air activity. Circa 1940s

Members of the Wardens post No. 334 at Cathedral Road, Cardiff, have their own fire fighting squad, with mobile pump, first aiders and trained wardens. Circa 1940s

Wardens with tin hats hold children hands as they walk from Moor Street Station in an evacuation exercise prior to the outbreak of WWII. 1st September 1939

Smog Wardens in action on the streets of London, 5th January 1956

A woman helping to direct traffic through the thick fog in Central London. Circa 1955

Smog wardens holding flares in thick fog in Central London. 5th January 1956

Greyfriars Friary Chapel Canterbury, Kent, England
circa 1910s

Show girl to ARP warden, 1939
Miss Judy McCrea, a show girl at the Windmill Theatre, London fulfilling her other role as an air raid warden in Paddington in October 1939. Date: 1939

Old Bill and Co by Bruce Bairnsfather
An ARP warden stands on a rooftop during a very lively air raid and looks down a chimney pot with his binoculars telling those hiding inside, I said, I reckon its time you went to the shelter. 1940

Sampling Officials Amsterdam Drapers Guild Syndics
The Sampling Officials of the Amsterdam Drapers Guild, Known as The Syndics The Wardens of the Amsterdam Drapers Guild, Known as The Syndics The Wardens of the Amsterdam Drapers Guild

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"Wardens: Guardians of Safety and Love in Times of Turmoil" In the midst of chaos, a female traffic warden stands tall, diligently ensuring order on bustling streets. Her unwavering dedication echoes the resilience displayed by wardens throughout history. Recalling the audacious commando raid that freed train robbers during "The Great Train Robbery, " wardens emerge as unsung heroes who safeguarded society against threats both visible and hidden. Amidst the haunting melodies of A. R. P. March Music Cover, valentine's cards adorned with love birds symbolize hope amidst World War II's darkness. Even Christmas cards urged citizens to take cover from imminent danger, reminding us that even in times of celebration, vigilance was paramount. A gas rattle featured on a WW2 greetings card serves as a chilling reminder of air raids and the vital role played by A. R. P. Wardens in protecting lives during those perilous nights. The Worshipful Company of Vintners in London exemplifies how diverse professions united under this noble cause. "You can't be too careful. " resonates as an ever-present mantra for these brave individuals who risked their own safety to ensure others' well-being. Their commitment extended beyond mere slogans; they put out dress shirts and donned dark blue uniforms while facing relentless bombings. On October 7th, 1941, bombs ravaged Rogerstone in Newport, Wales—18 lives lost but countless more saved due to the swift actions of vigilant wardens who selflessly protected their communities. Wardens embody courage personified—a beacon amidst uncertainty—standing firm when chaos threatens to engulf us all. They remind us that even in our darkest hours, there are those willing to sacrifice everything for our collective safety and peace.