Civilian World War 2 Militaria
The Second World War involved the civilian populations of Europe on a scale never previously envisaged. This was attributable largely to bombing from the air. There is in the Museum collections range of accessories associated with the protection of civilians, including gas masks (adult and children's) ration books etc.
There are also a useful number of samples of air war warden's materials, including hats, batons, corncrakes etc. Of particular interest is the air raid siren that alerted the population to impending German air raids (of which the most serious, over Belfast on the night of 14-15 April, killed over 1,000 people, more in one night than in any other British city apart from London).
Pictured left, Second World War siren.
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