Civilian Duty Respirator

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Civilian Duty Respirator

Also

Special Service Respirator Mark I

from the collection of Baroque4Days

Filter

C. D. Mark I, II, III

Filter connection
Fixed filter

Made in

United Kingdom

Period

1936 - 1945 (Approximate)

Users

others-

Issued to

Civil Defence

Manufacturer

Leyland & Birmingham Rubber Co., Avon India Rubber Co., P. B. Cow & Co., Siebe, Gormam & Co. Ltd.

Officially, the Civilian Duty was designed for members of civil air raid precautions services and others who might be called upon to carry out their normal duties in the presence of gas, but who are not likely to be continuously exposed to the highest concentrations.

Whilst often believed to be a wartime design, the Civilian Duty began its conception in the hands of Major. John A. Sadd in the late 1920s. Early prototype Civilian Duty respirators can be seen in a patent filed by Sadd on the 30th October 1928.

As the prospect of war became more and more likely, the CD respirator found itself as the front-line respirator for many civilian based defense organizations such as the ARP, police, ambulance crews, industry and dock workers. The CD would fall out of front-line usage by 1942 as it was around this time that police, firemen and others began being equipped with the GS respirator instead.

During the Cold War, Siebe Gorman produced an industrial variant of this mask using modified No. L1 rubber mask molds.

Overview[]

The rubber mask of the CD was of stout design compared to the British General Civilian Respirator, due to the conditions in which it was expected to be deployed. It was molded of much thicker rubber which was the basis for its robustness. The thicker, higher quality rubber allowed the CD to be cleaned by harsher disinfection solutions compared to the GCR - this is noted in many ARP manuals. The facepiece was produced in two sizes: Normal and Small.

Internally, the rubber mask features a singular extension of rubber which appears centrally above the eyepiece assemblies which served as structural support for the mask. Externally, the rubber mask was moulded with a portion of rubber that served as a mount for a triangular plate that held the flapper valve. This plate was held in place by 3 bolts.

The prospect of using telecommunications equipment whilst under the threat of gas could not be ignored, thus a cylindrical rubber protrusion was molded with each rubber mask. Should a CD respirator require equipping with a microphone and headset, the protrusion could be cut off to allow access for such equipment. The telephonist variants began around 1938.

The headharness used on the CD respirator was the No. 4 Mk. III. This harness consisted of 3 strips of elasticated webbing, each 19 mm (3/4 inch) wide, 457 mm (18 inches) long. Each strip was threaded through slots in the back of the rubberized head-pad, known as a "tag", to form six ends that attached to the buckles on the facepiece.

Vision was provided by two eyepiece assemblies consisting of an outer rim, orange rubber gasket, glass eyepiece disc and an inner rim. The inner rim was designed to be unscrewed by means of a special tool ('Key, securing, eyepiece'). The ability to disassemble was advantageous for 2 reasons, firstly, any damage pieces could be easily replaced, secondly, it made decontamination easier.

Spectacles could be worn with the Civilian Duty, provided the arms of the spectacles were sufficiently thin enough not to interfere with the seal of the mask. The spectacles came with the following information:

This spectacle frame is designed for ordinary use and for use while wearing a respirator. When the respirator is fitted the spectacle sides are adjusted to the correct setting for the wearer's face. Care must be taken to keep the sides at the correct setting otherwise gas may leak in when the respirator is worn. If in any doubt as to the fitting of the spectacles, the matter should be reported to the Medical Officer.

Container[]

CivilianDutycontex — A Civilian Duty with the 'Contex' filter

In the 1930s it was decided that the CD filter should provide 1/10th of the protection offered by GS respirator filters. That is to say, the CD filter had to provide protection for the same amount of time as a GS filter but with the gas concentrations being ten times lower.

Generally, the filter was adhered to the facepiece by either binding with rubber or by a toggle clip assembly. The filter used in the Civilian Duty was a circular lacquered 'box' type filter. It contained higher quality activated charcoal than the General Civilian models. All pre-war filters had their charcoal made from steam-activated coconut shells. Later in the war, briquetted coal was used, due to a shortage of coconut.

In addition to 90% particulate protection, the following minimum limits were set in place for CD filters in 1933:

Gas	Concentration of gas	Time (minutes) CD offers protection
Phosgene	1/1000 (4.5mg per cubic metre of air)	25
Chloropicrin	1/5000 (1.5mg per cubic metre of air)	70

CDR CVMK1-2-3-Containers D — Civilian Duty Containers Mark I, II & III, from the collection of Danny Mc.Gurk.

C.D. Mark I - This was an early type of filter that was made of a cylindrical waterproofed cardboard filter with two seamed metal ends. This filter contained the normal activated charcoal and particulate filter, but it had an absorbent pad (secured in place with a spring clip) that went inside the masks interior, over the inner end of the filter. This was done because the inner end of the C.D. Mark I had perforations - it was feared that, without a pad, the perforations could harbor bacteria from the wearers breath and disinfection would be difficult without damaging the internals of the filter. After the mask had been cleaned and dried, a new pad was put in.

Download+(11)-0082da14-1920w — A mother and her child wearing the Mark II CDR

C.D. Mark II - The Mark II was basically the same as the Mark I, except the filter was made of black lacquered metal. This was probably done because the cardboard of the Mark I was likely fragile. The Mark II was first created in 1936, most likely same time as the Mark I. It was issued to civilians before the start of WW2, and was replaced by the Mark III in 1939. Sometimes the Mark II was fitted with a 'Contex' pre-filter to maintain duty during WW2. The pre-filter would be fitted with a round brass piece that fits on the filter of the Mark II. A regular 'Contex' would not work as it's too big.

C.D. Mark III - This is the filter most Civilian Duty masks are found with. It is made of the same lacquered metal as the Mark II but is slightly larger. The Mark III did not require an absorbent pad as the Mark III came with a intake valve that could be removed and disinfected separately, thus ensuring the filters internals were not disturbed during decontamination. It is often seen with a red band painted on, to denote that the filter was for a Civilian Duty. It was important to differentiate between filters intended for CD masks as they contained charcoal with a higher activation than filters intended for the General Civilian Respirator. A green band indicated resin-impregnated wool rather than asbestos-wool. C.D. Mark III filters can be further split into two other variants: 'Mark IIIA' and 'Mark IIIB' - the significance of the A & B designations is unknown. Usually when there is just a solid green ring on the filter, it meant the person who owned it had asthma or worked in an industrial area.

Unknown (107) — A warden with a Mark III CDR fitted with a 'Contex' pre-filter

In May 1940, an additional pre-filter was issued. This addition was known as the 'Contex'. It was constructed of 19 mm (3/4 inch) thick aluminium and adonized green. It contained resin-wool and was constructed due to the fear of Arsenical gases. The standard filter alone was found severely lacking in protection against war gases containing arsenic. It was attached to the regular mask with either black or beige tape.

Gas Drill for Civilian Duty respirator[]

When it is known that there is no gas in the vicinity, or when there is no likelihood of gas being encountered the respirator is carried in the NORMAL position:

Respirator in haversack
Haversack tightly closed and whipcord loops tied in double-bow
Haversack at left-side of body, as far round the back as is comfortable

When the presence of gas in the vicinity is suspected or when there is a likelihood of gas being encountered the respirator is carried in the ALERT position:

Respirator in haversack
Mouth of haversack open fully
Haversack on left hip, body clear of other equipment so haversack can be swung around to front of body

Immediately gas is encountered or the alarm 'GAS' is received:

Hold breath
Grasp bottom of haversack with left hand and swing to front of body, with right hand, remove any headgear and place between knees
Remove respirator from haversack, making sure to take hold of respirator by the binding that connects the filter to the facepiece
Insert left thumb under the center of the head-harness, release grip with right hand to allow respirator to hang by the harness on left thumb, insert right thumb alongside left thumb and slide thumbs apart to stretch harness
Thrust chin into facepiece and draw harness over the face
Breathe out
Adjust respirator as necessary
Replace headgear

When it is thought that gas may no longer be present:

Inhale deeply and insert two fingers of right hand between cheek and facepiece
Gently lift mask with fingers and sniff
If gas is detected or there is any doubt, put mask back on fully
Strongly exhale to blow out any gas that may of seeped in during test

When the air is known to be clear of gas:

Raise headgear with left hand
Insert two fingers under the chin of the facepiece and lift off with an upward and backward movement over the head

After using the respirator:

Inside of respirator should be wiped clean
Treat eyepieces with anti-dimming compound
If conditions do not permit immediate anti-dimming treatment, it must be done so at the first available opportunity

Politics and Supply of Civilian Duty Respirators[]

In October 1935 a memorandum sent to the Defense Requirements Committee by the Chemical Defense Research Department suggested that around 400,000 Special Service (Civilian Duty) masks were required at a cost of around £260,000. The War Office was given overall authority on the Special Service/Civilian Duty supply programme. The number of Special Service respirators thought to be required would fluctuate as the ARP services grew. Sometime around 1937, it was suggested that the Department had grossly underestimated the number of Civilian Duty respirators that would be required. A programme for 900,000 Civilian Duty masks was thus put in place. By midsummer of 1938, the overall contract for 900,000 Civilian Duty masks was nearing completion. At some point, the number for Civilian Duty mask procurement was once again upped to 1.3 million masks - on 1st March 1939 Sir J Anderson stated to the House of Commons: Of civilian duty respirators, which are a more complicated contraption, we have obtained delivery of very nearly 1,000,000—to be exact, 940,000—out of a total demand of 1,300,000.

The large amount of rubber and other materials used to complete the Civilian Duty meant that production was strained as the war went on and even services such as the fire guards or medical practitioners were not readily issued them. Indeed, the issue of Civilian Duty masks to certain groups became somewhat a contentious issue;

Firstly, any medical practitioner was able to apply for a civilian duty respirator and a steel helmet from August 1940 onwards, as confirmed by Mr. M MacDonald (then Health Secretary) in October 1940:

I have already been in communication with the Minister of Home Security on this matter and the arrangements under which any medical practitioner may obtain a steel helmet and civilian duty respirator were announced in August. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that statement.

The scheme for civilian duty respirators for medical practitioners was apparently strained, as confirmed by Mr. Groves on the 5th November 1940. Groves asked Mr. H. Morrison (Home secretary) 'whether he is aware that many doctors who have applied, and paid, for steel helmets and civilian duty respirators under the scheme arranged with the Central Medical War Committee are complaining that they have not received delivery or any intimation when delivery will be made' Mr. Morrison replied:

Orders received by my Department from Secretaries of Local Medical War Committees are met promptly after receipt and I am not aware of any cause for exceptional delay in delivery.

In August 1942, Mr. Glenvil Hall enquired as to why fire guards had not been issued such respirators. Mr. H Morrison replied stating I am afraid that with present shortage of rubber it is not possible to authorize the issue of civilian duty respirators to fire guards. Later, on 28th January 1943, Flight-Lieutenant Challen, noting that the GCR (General Civilian Respirator) which fire guards were issued, were inadequate for this purpose and requested the issue of Civilian Duty masks to fire guards. Mr. H Morrison once again refused to increase Civilian Duty stocks, stating: the provision of very large numbers of additional civilian duty respirators would not be justifiable in present circumstances

The fire guards had 2 main issues with the GCRs they had been issued. Firstly, the GCR design had no apparatus for spectacle wear meaning fire guards couldn't wear glasses, while this was less of a problem for civilians, being able to see clearly was of importance to those fighting fires and mounting rescue operations. Secondly, the mask kept slipping around, making it more difficult for fire guards to do their duty. While little could be done to support fire guards who needed to wear glasses, Mr. H Morrison later stated that in order to alleviate the slip problem, fire guards would be taught how to tie their GCR straps in a particular way, as so to decrease mask slippage.

Certification Mark scheme[]

In 1936, it was decided by the Government to allow private factories to sell their own respirators. In order to ensure that the respirators on sale were fit for purpose, a Home Office Certification Mark scheme was introduced. A company could apply for a license to apply the Certification Mark to their respirators.

On 8th April 1936, Mr. G Lloyd, the Under-secretary of state for the Home Department, stated to the House of Commons that the Government have devised a scheme, the details of which are about to be published, by which manufacturers who make approved types of respirators and who accept various conditions, including liability to Government inspection, will be licensed to affix a Home Office certification mark to their respirators

Generally speaking, the Home Office Marks were adhered to the Civilian Duty on the filter via a sticker and also a white-ink stamp of the certification mark on the side. J.E. Baxter used red-gold stickers and Siebe-Gorman used gold stickers (later Siebe-Gorman marks were merely ink stamps on the filter). In total 3 different mark schemes were introduced - License No.1 (GCR) License No.2 (Civilian Duty) License No.3 (GSR).

Whilst the Certification mark scheme was believed to be intended for civilians to purchase higher quality masks, O'Brien (1955) states that the target audience was those of industrial concerns.

Parts and manufacturers[]

Part of respirator	Manufacturer	Additional comments
Rubber Masks	AVON (Avon India Rubber Co.), P.B.C & Co. (Peter Brusey Cow & Co.), S.G. & Co. (Siebe, Gorman & Co. Ltd.)	Several sources indicate 4.5 million rubber masks produced, it should be noted that these companies were contracted only for the facepiece.
Container Canisters (filter bodies)	BW&M, MB	BW&M refers to Barringer, Wallis and Manners a tin manufacturer who were also contracted to make tins for Anti-gas ointment and parts for Mule gas masks. Companies who were producing private-purchase Civilian Duty respirators (mark scheme) used MB produced canisters. Identity of company 'MB' currently unknown.
Eyepiece screws	WHB, HBS,	Reused in post-war civilian duty mask
Gaskets	?
Outlet Valves	LBR (Leyland & Birmingham Rubber)
Headharness	W&G (Waring & Gillow)
Haversack	W&G (Waring & Gillow), Hampton and Sons, Maple	In 1903, W&G acquired Hampton and Sons. The haversacks intended for mark scheme respirators usually have the name of the company that produced the actual respirator e.g. Siebe Gorman
Asbestos	Cape Asbestos Co (?)	In 1939, it acquired Acre Mill in Hebden Bridge, where it began making gas mask filters unknown if the asbestos from CAC was for both military and civilian or if only for one or the other.
Toggle clips	Collardo, Longbottom & Co, H.T. & S.
Filter assembly	Blackburn Mill	According to T.H. O'Brien, the Blackburn Mill (which produced the GCR) was also responsible, at least in part, for the assembly of the CD filters
Final Assembly of respirator	Regional Stores	According to T.H. O'Brien, the final assembly of Civilian Duty masks occurred at regional stores in Middlesex.

Foreign use[]

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