'been trying to find out more about these...and they only seem to crop up on the net which, in itself, probably says a lot.... Apparently they were folk in more Rural areas which couldn't justify / didn't need seperate Warden, Fire, Repair etc team....they appear to have been Jack-of-all-trades types who could fulfill more than one role. 'any ideas / facts please? were they real?
Hello I've checked British Newspaper Archives and there are plenty of references to them, many in tandem with ARP. I'd attach a couple of examples but afraid that facility has been suspended until after the forum's software change. see this link if you'd care to check out the archive yourself: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/60901-british-newspaper-archive-£1-for-a-months-access/?p=713721
Would the gas and water and sewage company's work close to the ARP and rescue services , making safe the infrastructure after a bombing raid , be grouped together as 'utility squads ' ?
DBF - thank you for this steer - unfortunately I've had no luck with the link posted but would very much like to know more. Should we "PM" it?
Hi Sorry but I've nothing more than the link. (I had an example weeks ago but was unable to attach it at the time due to the freeze on such things before our software change. I've since deleted it. ) It'd be a matter of subscribing now or waiting for another offer from that site.
This is guidance notes for civil defence for Suffolk area in 1938 which explains utility squads. WW2 Civil Defence and Home Guard - Suffolk So I am wondering with the introduction of the home guard in 1940, would the duties of the utility squads be taken over by the HG.
Utility squads were civilian staff related to the local gas/water/electricity companies. They wore helmets marked 'RP' (Repair Party) then the initial of their service e.g. RP/E (Electricity), RP/G (Gas) and RP/W (Water).
now I'm even more interested....I'm familiar with the "Utility" (as we'd called them nowadays) company teams who's helmets were marked with the likes of "ELECTRICITY" or "GAS COMPANY" or even the Company name/logo.....and that these became RP/E, RP/G, RP/W etc...but the Utility Squads as mentioned in the notes from Suffolk (above) were groups of folk who were "jack of all trades" in a small group of 6...or so it would seem. RCG - I'm very grateful to you for the Suffolk link....now all I have to do is to see if they were anywhere else.....
'not moved on a great deal but I have found references in Southern Region (6) paperwork which refers to "Utility Parties" - these were groups of men trained in Rescue, First Aid and Decontamination. Perhaps they were the "jack-of-all-trade" types I referred to in the opening post although this doesn't address the "rural" reference. I've seen red-lettered white helmets with "RPU" and just "U"....Southern are known to have adopted their own markings when they found gaps in the official specifications......'just a thought.......
