Full time fire brigade, Second World War, at fire station behind the Swan, 153 Newland Street. Facing the short end of the pool. Fordson lorry behind adapted for use by brigade, with cab on right. Water tank in middle. Dragged a pump. Bell on front. Sub-officer swung it with a bar. Left to right, back row, Ray Ashby (son of Dick of the garage), David (Jim) Thorogood (of Glebe Crescent, painter and decorator for UDC), Percy Adams (worked with water for UDC), Walter (Sam) Bircher (cabinet maker and upholsterer, of St Nicholas Road), Fred Woodbine (plumber with UDC). Front row, Sidney Button (carpenter with UDC), Bert Baxter (painter and decorator, UDC), George Shelley junior (blacksmith with father, Newland Street), Fred Pryke (everyone loved him, co-station officer, lived at station on 48-hour alternate shifts with other one, stayed in charge after the War whilst part-time brigade was being assembled again), Wally Algar (in previous part-time brigade, sub-officer, near illiterate, sometimes had to keep records and order coke etc. to keep engine warm, and found it hard, lived Guithavon Road, collapsed and died on bike in fire station entrance after part-time again), George (Botchie) Claydon (grocer’s shop Bridge Street, to right of George and Dragon, sold cheese, paraffin etc., died on way to fire), Ernie Punt (co-station officer, lived at station on 48-hour alternate shifts with other one), Walter (Len) May (chargehand painter with UDC, drove engine becaused lived near, in Waterworks cottages, so first there).
Ref | M1502 |
Publisher | Bridgeman (possibly), shop Newland Street around 29-33 |
Date taken | 1939-45 |
Source | Witham Voices' |