E.P.S armband, Water Guard

This armband (or armlet) was worn to identify members of the Emergency Precautions Scheme (EPS) in New Zealand during World War II (1939-45). It was worn with civilian clothing because EPS members did not have uniforms.

All EPS personnel were issued with the basic armlet design of the letters E.P.S. in red and the Kings’ crown in red. Many armbands were made with different lettering to denote different areas of work. In this armband, the letters 'WG' stand for 'Water Guard'.

The EPS was set up by the New Zealand government in 1935 to coordinate a national response to natural disasters or enemy attacks. It was mainly concerned with air raids, fires, poison-gas attacks, and earthquakes. The EPS was the forerunner of Civil Defence.

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941 prompted many new volunteers to join the E.P.S. The war in Europe and the Pacific intensified during 1942, with many New Zealanders becoming fearful of Japanese attacks.

In January 1942, enrolment in the Emergency Defence Corps (which included the E.P.S. and Home Guard) became compulsory. All able-bodied men aged between 16 and 66 who were not serving in the armed forces were required to join. Women were asked to volunteer, and once enrolled could not resign at will (Taylor, 558-559).

Thousands of EPS members prepared against possible attacks. They built trenches and shelters, planned for evacuations and the protection of school children, watched for fires, and policed blackouts. There was some overlap between the duties of the EPS and Home Guard, and men could be members of both.

As the Japanese threat receded in late 1942, E.P.S. operations in New Zealand were scaled down.

References:
Hutching, M. (ed). (2007). The last line of defence: New Zealanders remember the war at home. Auckland: HarperCollins Publishers.
O'Sullivan, B. & M. (2005). New Zealand Army uniforms and clothing 1910-1945. Christchurch: Willson Scott Publishing.
Taylor, N.M. (1986). The Home Front: Volumes I & II. Historical Publications Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.