Yearly Archives: 2013
Chesterfield at the Winding Wheel, 2013
The plan was quite complicated, but essentially involved getting the TL to Chesterfield Fire Station (where we had permission to store it overnight) on the Friday evening, before going to the dance. Then collecting the TL on Saturday, and returning … Continue reading
NFS pumps in the Belgium Ardennes
“My name is Georges, from small village thirty Km south of Liège. “Some original AFS/NFS appliances are now mine. “They were owned/used by the fire brigade of a nearby town although no-one there actually remembers using them so I assume … Continue reading
Letter from Norwich in Blitz of June 1942
A friend of mine, Owen Thompson, wrote to me, “About a year ago I picked up an old leather wallet at the car boot sale, which had a letter in it. It was from a woman in Norwich to her … Continue reading
In the Service of the Nation
Owen Thompson, another re-enactor, has very kindly given me a slim book published in 1944 to raise funds for the NFS Benevolent Fund. It is full of lovely pictures by Fireman Reginald Mills, and although fictitious, is entirely based on … Continue reading
K4 breaks down on way to Alf Porkett’s funeral
Everything was prepared – a test run last weekend, adequate petrol, black ribbon, tunics, choice of cap or helmet, belts and axes, boots cleaned, wet legs sorted – all ready. I set off this morning for Wilford Hill Crematorium, and … Continue reading
NFS invited to the funeral of Alf Porkett
We have been invited to a funeral next Thursday, to represent the National Fire Service, with the Turntable Ladder. Alf joined the Police Fire Brigade in Nottingham City in the 1930s and served throughout World War 2. He was taken … Continue reading