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For your consideration, you are viewing a lot of 2 pieces of 1940s WWII history. This lot consists of a 1940 J.HUDSON & CO Birmingham Whistle with a yellow lanyard. This same type of whistle was a standard issue to Air Raid Wardens, and later to other Civil Defence Services before and during WW2. Over one million are believed to have been made. 73,000 were allocated to Police Constabulary Services.
#In 1939 the pamphlet 'Some Things You Should Know If War Should Come' stated
- When Air raids are threatened, warnings will be given in towns by sirens or hooters, which will be sounded, in some places by short blasts, and in other places by a warbling note, changing every few seconds. In war, sirens and hooters will not be used for any other purpose than this. The warning may also be given by the Police or Air Raid Wardens blowing short blasts on whistles. When you hear the warning, take cover at once.'
This whistle comes with an original Staff Sergeant Brassard (A band or badge worn around the upper arm), the Brassard has the Staff Sergeant "CROWN & STRIPES" Insignia "Three chevrons beneath a crown" have been handsewn onto a khaki tan cotton armband with press studs. Staff Sergeant is a non-commissioned officer rank with specific duties such as supply within the sub-unit.
#J HUDSON & CO: English whistles and musical instruments manufacturer was founded in BIRMINGHAM in the 1870s by Joseph Hudson (1848–1930) and his brother James Hudson (1850–1889). The company received the first contract for ARP whistles in 1938. The company manufactured whistles and continues today as "Acme Whistles." Acme is the world's largest producer of whistles and is based in the Jewellery Quarter district of Birmingham, England.
PROVENANCE: Museum Exhibit from the private collection of the late Doug Bradbury's Estate, formally exhibited in the Bradbury's Private "UK Horseshoeing Museum" at Clay Cross
#Doug Bradbury FWCF (1937 - 2020) is a lifelong resident of Clay Cross in England and from his modest heritage, Bradbury became internationally known as a "Master Farrier." The great-grandfather set up his farriery and forge in Clay Cross and later opened a private museum dedicated to the farriery craft, known as the "UK Horseshoeing Museum"
Doug Bradbury was headed for a career underground in the Parkhouse Colliery in his home village of Clay Cross. “It was either down the pit or in the army,” Doug learned to shoe underground in a coal mine. Doug is known worldwide and has travelled to many countries to help teach farriers and or to shoe horses on assignment. In 2002 Doug retired at age 65 to dedicate more time to the museum. The museum attracted Horse People from far and wide. The Museum has many interesting collections relating to military farriery in both World Wars and covers all the special equipment needed for horses working the mines, streets, and tasks that required special traction, such as ice and snow or maneuvering through deep mud in bogs.
Bradbury was granted the title of Member of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his services to the farriery profession by Queen Elizabeth II, who announced "Doug Bradbury is far from inactive; he has transformed the old forge offices into a carefully-curated museum of farrier history, known as the UK Horseshoeing Museum, and offers colourful and interesting “The Life of a Farrier” lectures to groups across the British Isles." Doug was awarded an MBE for his services to the farrier profession presented to him in May 2018 by HRH Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.
CONDITION: This lot of 1940 Birmingham Whistle & British Staff Sergeant Brassard are used and in good condition for their age and use. The Staff Sergeant Bassards material has worn thin and faded, and some of the ribbon ends of the stripe are slightly frayed, The whistle has some scuff and scratch marks on the surface, and the yellow cotton lanyard is undamaged and tightly fixed to the whistle. # Please note: The Photographs form part of the description; Super-sized photos can show the finer details and conditions.
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- LENGTH: WHISTLE 75.5 cm / 29.74" (including Lanyard) 8.2 cm / 3.22" (not including Lanyard) BRASSARD: 38 cm / 14.96" (OPEN)
- WIDTH: WHISTLE 1.8 cm / 0.70" (not including Lanyard) BRASSARD: 8.5 cm / 3.34"
- DEPTH: WHISTLE 1.8 cm / 0.70" (not including Lanyard)