NRS-19792 | National Emergency Services posters

Full description

A number of posters were issued by National Emergency Services, New South Wales from February 1942 onwards. 

R.H. Hicks, Director of National Emergency Services wrote on 19 February 1942:

'It is proposed as paper supplies become available to arrange for the distribution to Chief Wardens of posters concerning the work of the National Emergency Services and other matters of public interest and the co-operation of the Chief Wardens is sought in arranging for their exhibition in their areas.

'It is desirable that posters be placed in positions where they will be prominent yet at the same time reasonably safe from premature destruction by children and other careless people.' (1)

The first poster issued was 'It is not the man you were... but the man you are! Join the N.E.S. to-day'. The poster featured a man in an armchair reading the paper along with a N.E.S. warden rescuing a child. (2)

The second of "The Man You Were" series to be issued was 'Target for to-night, Are you prepared for the blackout?' The poster featured a bomb heading for a target with one light visible in an area otherwise in black out. (3)

Posters were initially issued to wardens around the Sydney Metropolitan area. (4) "Action" reported 'The posters going out from Headquarters to make the public A.R.P. [Air Raid Precautions]-minded and educate them in the necessities have met with a fine response. Chief wardens calling into the office go away with a bundle of posters and see to it that they are well displayed. Country stores and post offices, and here and there a bush pub, are giving these posters such a run that some bush towns are leading city and suburban areas in display.' (5)

It is not known if further posters were issued. (6)

This is an artificial series. The extant poster may originally have been an attachment to the series NRS 10648, Correspondence files.

Endnotes
1. Memorandum No.187 on 42/176M/10091 in NRS 10648, Correspondence files, 1942 [10/4605].
2. "Action", April 1942, p.11 (illustration), [6/16010.4] (see image).
3. "Action", April 1942, p.27 (illustration), [6/16010.4].
4. Distribution list on 42/176M/10091 in NRS 10648, Correspondence files, 1942 [10/4605].
5. "Action", May 1942, p.8, [6/16010.4].
6. No further mention of posters being issued is made in "Action", [6/16010.4].