Box of Civil Defence Badges
Cromarty Courthouse Museum

During World War Two, there was a collective feeling across the country of a need to contribute to the war effort. However, many people were unable to partake in active service for a range of reasons.   

The Civil Defence Service was set up to recognise the actions of the fire service, search and rescue teams, first aiders, and stretcher parties as crucial to the war effort on the home front. Over 1.9 million people served within the Civil Defence and nearly 2,400 lost their lives to enemy action. 

This box of badges was despatched from London to the Town Clerk in Cromarty, who co-ordinated the various defence and welfare organisations in the area. These badges include AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service), ARP (Air Raid Precaution wardens), Home Guard (armed citizen militia) and the Rest Centre (post air-raid) Service.