WW2 London Transport warden's helmet - chocolate teapot design!

[modelrailquest]

I received this as a present - it's originally from the London Transport Museum. Worn by London Transport ARPs in WW2, it's made of Bakelite instead of tin to prevent wardens being electrocuted if overhead cables fell on them. Thing is... Bakelite shatters when hit by anything hard!

 

[Gloster]

I would suspect that it was mainly intended to indicate that the wearer had some official status and you should do what he or she instructed, or go to them for advice, etc. It may have been worn by an ARP Warden, but I think that theirs normally had a large W on them and I would expect LT also to have used the W. Quite possibly, though this is a guess, intended for those running the shelters on the platforms.