Pin, "C.D" - Alberta Civil Defence, c. 1959-1963
P20090038000

This pin was worn by Lethbridge resident Robert "Bob" Gardner, a volunteer in the local Civil Defence (C.D.) Police from 1959 to 1963. Gardner's motivation to join was based on his period perception that another war was likely to occur. The "threat of war" he said in 2009, "was always on my mind".

Some C.D. Police training was provided by select members of the Lethbridge Police Force (LPF). LPF Detective Ralph Michelson, Gardner said, told the C.D. volunteers, "If there are any dead bodies, you guys have to look after them."
In addition to volunteering with the Police, Gardner supported local C.D. engineering work, calculating the amount of shielding required for protection in case of nuclear attack. In 1962, he incorporated shielding code standards (concrete thickness, etc.) into his own personal home in Lethbridge.

Donated by Robert Gardner

		C.D. Police Recruitment Ad, c. Nov. 1958, Courtesy of the Lethbridge Herald
New Uniform Inspection, c. 1960 P20091000000 The Auxiliary Civil Defence Police was first organized in Lethbridge in 1951 after the Province appealed to Alberta municipalities to prepare defenses in case of an enemy attack, including a nuclear strike. Collection of the Galt Museum & Archives