Civilian Duty Respirator 

Throughout WW2, the Australian Government mainly issued three different types of respirators to the civilian populace

• Civilian Duty Respirator 
• Civilian Respirator
• M1A2-1-1 Noncombatant Respirator 

This article is about the Civilian Duty Respirator 

The Civilian Duty Respirator was issued to civilians who would have to work in gas-effected areas (Such as Air Raid Wardens)

Visually speaking, the Civilian Duty Respirator is in many ways similar to the Mk.V General Service Respirator. Compared to the standard Civilian Respirator, it is made out of a thicker mould of rubber, features an outlet valve similar to the one in use with the Mk.III service mask, has removable metal eyepieces as well as a microphone port for use with telephones and radios.

The filter for the Civilian Duty Respirator was attached in a similar way to the standard Civilian Respirator. There were two main types of filters that would be issued with this respirator.

• The Mark II, which had the inlet valve situated at the outer end, with a perforated inner end and a absorbent disinfectant pad held in place by an annular spring clip. 
• The Mark III filter would be issued as well, with the differences being that the inlet valve fitted to the inner end of the container, as well as the removal of the absorbent pad.