Type C2 "Mickey Mouse" respirator

Historical Significance

This is a Type C2 Civilian Respirator, commonly known as a "Mickey Mouse" gas mask, which was worn by children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years old. Before the beginning of World War Two, there was a common belief that the Wehrmacht would attack the UK with poisonous gas, resulting in an effort from the government to issue a gas mask to every man, woman and child living in the UK. These came in various forms, however these masks were produced as a result of a unique problem. It was noticed that younger children often experienced fear at the idea of wearing a respirator, and so they had to be made more unique. 

In the United States, a series of unique gas masks directly bearing the resemblance of Mickey Mouse were produced by the Sun Rubber Company, which utilised the actual resemblance of Mickey Mouse paired with bright colours. The UK version did not come with these attributes, as the mask was neither licensed by Disney nor did it look like Mickey Mouse. The reason this name was produced is because the Air Raid Precautions wardens (ARP) and parents alike used this nickname to make the mask look more like a toy rather than a piece of survival equipment. This idea of it being a toy was only further supported by the bright colours. ARP Wardens were also known to encourage children to treat the masks like a game of dress-up. 

The rubber flap on the front is not a 'nose' as it may appear, but was instead used as a one-way expiration valve. If the wearer exhaled sharply, it vibrated and made a loud sound, similar to blowing a raspberry. This feature, although it was not initially intentional, was valuable as it turned what would have otherwise been scary drills into a fun game, even though it was known to drive parents and teachers alike crazy. 

The box (as seen in the Technical Gallery) is printed with official government packing and emergency instructions on the inside flap, as shown below:

PACKING OF RESPIRATOR

The respirator should be placed in box with heavy end (container) standing on bottom of box.

The transparent eyepiece should lie evenly on the top of the container and at full length without any deformation.

WHEN RESPIRATOR IS REQUIRED FOR US

1. Holdrespirator by the straps.

2. Put on by first putting chin into the facepiece and then draw the straps over the head. Adjust straps to obtain close but comfortable fit.

3. Take off by pulling the straps over the head from the back.

DO NOT TAKE RESPIRATOR OFF BY PULLING THE CONTAINER UPWARDS OVER THE FACE

The reason the box explicitly states for the heavy end (called the "container" here, it refers to the blue metal filter canister) to be placed on the bottom is so that it will not distort or crush the red rubber facepiece or the glass eyepieces. The box also has a disclaimer on the bottom:

Any person who has it in his possession is responsible in law for using care to keep it in good condition. It is to be returned to the Local Authority when no longer required.

Losing, forgetting or damaging the box itself was a punishable offence under wartime emergency powers. If somebody was caught in public without their gas mask box slung over their shoulder, they could suffer various punishments including a fine, being barred from public transport, or even being refused entry to air-raid shelters by local ARP wardens. The boxes themselves would have a piece of string threaded through the sides so the children could wear it over their shoulders like a satchel wherever they went. This box, however, is lacking that string. 

In the Second World War, parents used fabric scraps, oilcloth or old coats to make waterproof covers that could be slipped over the box to prevent damage to the fragile cardboard in the rain, and the children were encouraged to paint their names, draw cartoons or colour the outside of the boxes so that they could identify which mask was theirs in the case of a chaotic school air-drill or an actual attack. Furthermore, high-end department stores in London were known to sell luxury leather and tin gas mask carrier boxes for wealthier citizens who didn't want to carry their gas mask in the basic government-issued cardboard container. This box, unfortunately, does not have any visible markings or drawings on it.

The entire mask is made from moulded red rubber, with circular glass eyepieces rimmed in metal and canvas head straps. The straps feature what is known as a "hook and eye" fastener at the back of the head, which helps prevent small, uncomfortable toddlers from easily pilling the mask off of their faces, and each mask cost 4 shillings and 6 pence to manufacture. The box is made from cheap, recycled cardboard, which was done to keep the production costs low whilst the UK was under shortages during the war. 

Select References & Further Reading:

• Anderson, John. Gas masks (Young children). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons, vol. 352, cols. 1045-1046.

• Lloyd, Geoffrey. Air-raid precautions. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), House of Commons, vol. 341, cold. 33-34.

• Imperial War Museums. Respirator, Small Child (Mickey Mouse).

• The National Archives. Wartime gas masks and the Home Front.

• Grayzel, Susan R. The Age of the Gas Mask: How British Civilians Faced the Terrors of Total War. Cambridge University Press.

• Ruddy, Austin J. The Home Front: 1939-1945 in 100 Objects. Frontline Books. 

• Brayley, Martin. The British Home Front 1939-45. Bloomsbury Publishing. 

• Charman, Terry. Outbreak: 1939: The World Goes to War. Ebury Publishing. 

Header image: American troops approaching Omaha Beach on Normandy Beach, D-Day. Photographer Unknown; 1944. Image sourced via Public Domain.