History

2017

• 20/02 - Some very poignant photos from the Blitz

  Many thanks to Helen Crowfoot for drawing our attention to these: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3308483

2015

• 08/05 - Danger UXB

  Just started watching the DVDs of the 1970s TV series, “Danger UXB”, and saw a fire engine. Got very excited when I saw what it was, and even more so when I saw the registration. You can see Episode 2 here (it’s … Continue reading →
• 15/03 - The Pump Escape in service in the 1950s

  Following on from the photo from Bruce Hoad showing GGN802 at Uckfield Fire Station in East Sussex, we were delighted to hear from Guy Bowes  who is an archivist for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and sent us these … Continue reading →

2014

• 09/04 - Tour of Nottingham Central Fire Station, and Blitz locations

  Recently, a small group of us had the privilege of a tour round Nottingham Central Fire Station and the Nottingham Blitz locations where firemen and civil defence personnel lost their lives, led by David Needham, a retired senior officer of … Continue reading →

2013

• 07/11 - A Service for Remembrance Sunday: Forgiveness and Reconciliation

  Introduction and Welcome Good morning, and welcome to our service this morning. It is usual on Remembrance Sunday to have an act of remembrance for those in our armed forces who have given their lives in the line of duty, … Continue reading →
• 07/11 - William Taylor, wartime AFS and NFS Fireman in London

  A few months ago, I got a lovely email out of the blue, about a wartime fireman: My Brother and I have been researching my Father’s fire service during WWII. He joined the AFS in 1939 and was Class B.  … Continue reading →
• 11/10 - Fordson 7V ‘GGN802’ post-war history discovered

  I recently had a call from Bruce Hoad, a firefighter with East Sussex Fire and Rescue saying he had seen a photograph of our Pump Escape at Uckfield Fire Station in the 1950s.     A bit more research led … Continue reading →
• 26/04 - History of our K4 Turntable Ladder, GXN215

  I recently received a letter and two photos from Pete Matten, a firefighter in West Sussex. Pete writes: Worthing Fire Station showing the 1st pump, a 1942 Austin K4/Home Office escape carrying unit (ECU) and the 1944 Austin K4/Merryweather 60ft … Continue reading →
• 02/02 - 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 →
• 26/01 - 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 →
• 16/01 - 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 →

2012

• 16/12 - Barton American Fire Company Brochure for front-mounted pump

  As we are restoring the Barton front-mounted pump on the Fordson, with the aim of making it work in time for next season, a period brochure of the pump from the Barton American Fire Company is going to be rather … Continue reading →
• 20/01 - K4 colours, Nottingham Station codes and history of GXN202

  I put the following question to John Thompson (co-author “The Green Machine”) and Ted Angus, both very knowledgeable ex-members of the AFS until it was stood down in 1968: I have known for some time that the AFS used a fair amount of … Continue reading →

2011

• 21/10 - Save the London Fire Brigade Museum

  The London Fire Brigade are yet again trying to close its Museum which is a key part of its public face and a means to promote the safety message at the heart of its mission.  We oppose this and are … Continue reading →