Fire Engines Photos

Royce, Many thanks for putting these on site, my favourite machines, closely followed by the Commers. Incidentally GRX 36 was a Commer Wrt, the Bedford was GRX39. GRX 40 being the Commer Wrt that was burnt out at Five Oaken Hill, Mortimer.

Added by Alan Jones on 11 December 2011.

Sir,
GRX39 was not a Bedford, It was a Commer Wrt Stationed at Faringdon from 1954.

Added by William Law on 27 April 2012.

Sorry chaps! On closer scrutiny (enlarging the photo) the Bedford WrT in my picture is GRX 38, not 36 as I stated.

Added by Royce Treacher on 28 April 2012.

William,
Thanks for the correction, was this the Commer Wrt/A with a portable pump mounted at the rear linked into the water tank, if so I can remember this one but I thouht it was HRX 409, or was this second pump!?
Were you connected with Stn 19 Faringdon or info on Bershire&Reading Fire Brigade, if so I would welcome any information or Photos you have.
Commer GRX 36 was a reserve at Stn 1 Reading which I crewed and drove but cannot remember its original Stn.
Regards
Alan Jones Ex Berkshire 1960-1993

Added by Alan Jones on 28 April 2012.

Regarding Berks & Reading Commer/HCB WrTs with portable pump at rear, linked into tank (described as Type A), I refer you to picture #30229 of mine, taken in the yard at Newbury in 1965, presumably on decommissioning.

Added by Royce Treacher on 29 April 2012.

Royce
Thanks for the correct reg no on the WRT, that has answered that query at long last!

The Wrt/ A as described in 30229 went to reserve.

The appliance I refer to in my comment to William was give the nickname "The Faringdon Flyer" by drivers at Stn 1 Reading, for obvious reasons.
Thankyou for your interest and input of Berkshire appliances, an era which means a great deal to me! Please keep them coming?

Alan Jones

Added by Alan Jones on 29 April 2012.

Gentlemen,
How were the hose reels fed on these Wrt/A ?
The photo of FRX323 appears to have side pump controls was this an escape carrying appliance ?
I have a photo of Frx322 which has NO side controls.
FRX321 was P/C 2nd Machine at Faringdon in 1970 And I am pretty sure it had a rear mounted main pump as well as a LPP. Didn't the main pump have heat exchanger filters which the pump operator had to switch over to take apart and clean ?
As for GRX39 I have a photo which shows a rear mounted pump and I remember this to be a DENNIS 500 Gpm pump.

Added by William Law. on 30 April 2012.

I Did my H.G.V. at Dee Road in 1973, Johny Thursdon my instructor, the Appliance used was a Commer Escape carrier based at C18 Abingdon when on the run , Any Idea of the Reg of this Vehicle?

Added by William Law. on 30 April 2012.

Some machines had a gear type hose reel pump with a five way valve.....many appliances from the 1950/60s had older pumps transplanted onto the new appliances so a Dennis pump could end up in just about anything.

Added by Barrie Green on 01 May 2012.

William,

Your memory of the different appliance types and stations is invaluable.

In answer FRX323 was a Wrt/A with a 5 way valve and plumbed in LPP as described by Barry, I believe some Dennis pumps had been transplanted as he also states, these often came from trailer pumps, quite often ex-wartime.

FRX321 was a Wrt/B as you suggest with the pump filters. As you rightly state GRX39 was again Wrt/B, you should know I bow to your knowledge.

The Commer pump escape you mention was GJB809 originally stationed at A13 Windsor, it carried a 60ft all steel escape ladder which I believe came from Eton College and was purchased by the brigade.

I served with John Thurston who is still alive, I see him at Old Commrades and other functions.

I will reply to your email shortly.

Regards

ALAN JONES

P.S Can you put the photos of the Commers on this site for all to see please?

Added by Alan Jones on 05 May 2012.

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