Air Raid Wardens

[grahamila]

I am researching a man from Devizes, Wiltshire who may have been an Air Raid Warden.  Is there anywhere I might confirm this?

[Andy J2022]

You quite often find it noted on the right hand page of the 1939 Register. Look for the initials ARP.

[grahamila]

Unfortunately there is nothing in 1939 but I am interested in 1940 onwards.

[Copper1]

Is this based on a family 'legend' ie third-person information. As the 1939 Register reveals nothing, what was his age & occupation at that time? The critical nature of the inevitable war meant that ARP needed to be trained up, hence the 1939Reg revealing such appointments jointly with a full time occupation.
Unless he acted in circumstances exhibiting bravery etc whilst as a warden, he is unlikely to be mentioned in a newspaper article, so check the newspapers for the location where he lived.
I note one particular incident is on Google: "Penzance 1942" & "WW2 People's War", but I presume you've checked those, but may not have considered the town's museum. Good luck.

[Treetotal]

My Late Father-In-Law was an Air Raid Warden, he didn't go to war as he was in a "Reserved Occupation"
Not sure this is of any help as your man may have been too old to sign up.
Carol

[Rena]

My father worked in a factory during WWII .  He was in the Home Guard which met once a week but he wasn't a Warden.

However, during the war factory workers took turns to stay at their factory during the night, even keeping watch on the factory roof.  They were fire watchers/wardens and had buckets of sand to douse fires with if the enemy planes dropped flares on their premises.

[Andy J2022]

According to the National Archives catalogue (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_dss=range&_sd=1937&_ed=1945&_q=Air+Raid+Precautions+Wiltshire) the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre holds 57 series of records relating to ARP matter across the county. These are in the series F4/500. ARP matters for each of the major towns in Wiltshire are in the G series, Devizes being G5. Correspondence about ARP volunteers for Devizes are in G5/225/3. There is also a specific reference to correspondence on ARP matters with Devizes from the Bromham Parish Council in 3061/30.
I have no idea how detailed these records will be or whether individuals will be listed, so you will need to contact the History Centre. https://www.wshc.org.uk/our-services/archives.html
archives@wiltshire.gov.uk
Tel 01249 705500