Upload a Picture
About this Site | Links | Random Pic | Advanced Search
Home | Latest Additions | Contributors
| Visitors
Fire Engine Photos
No: 12453 Contributor: Bob Graham Year: 2008 Manufacturers: Dennis, Merryweather Country: United Kingdom
MERRYWEATHER 100FT TL GLW 434
Among those interested in the many facets of firefighting and the machines used to do the job,a small group have endeavoured to catalog various kinds of appliances or apparatus used during World War 2. Some are interested in the 'long reach' machines, the aerial or turntable ladder trucks. This particular truck was built during World War 2, in 1941-42 on the Dennis chassis using the Merryweather ladder and pump. I ran into it in the 1960s in Scotland where it was still the only TL in use. I have no idea if it survives i n a museum or in the shed of some preservationist; lets hope so.
Among those interested in the many facets of firefighting and the machines used to do the job,a small group have endeavoured to catalog various kinds of appliances or apparatus used during World War 2. Some are interested in the 'long reach' machines, the aerial or turntable ladder trucks. This particular truck was built during World War 2, in 1941-42 on the Dennis chassis using the Merryweather ladder and pump. I ran into it in the 1960s in Scotland where it was still the only TL in use. I have no idea if it survives i n a museum or in the shed of some preservationist; lets hope so.
Hi Grant,
I think the brigade was FIFE--if you enlarge the image I think you can see the word at the top of the circle; there was a similar Merryweather-Dennis TL in the next town, and it was a war time issue, but its license is GXA 97. It also has the FIFE Fire Brigade logo. Apparently several had this GXA numbering as it is similar to a GXA 95 TL from the southwest of England. I'll have to locate my log book and see if I can document the towns/cities in question.
Added by Bob Graham on 18 November 2008.
I think the brigade was FIFE--if you enlarge the image I think you can see the word at the top of the circle; there was a similar Merryweather-Dennis TL in the next town, and it was a war time issue, but its license is GXA 97. It also has the FIFE Fire Brigade logo. Apparently several had this GXA numbering as it is similar to a GXA 95 TL from the southwest of England. I'll have to locate my log book and see if I can document the towns/cities in question.
Added by Bob Graham on 18 November 2008.
The eight Dennis/Merryweather 100ft TL's had the registration beginning with
GLW letters.The 25 Leyland Beaver/Merryweather TL's had the registration
beginning with GXA, and the thirty Leyland/Merryweather TD7(bus chassis)also
had the GLW registration.GXA 97 looks like it was a Leyland Beaver.
I certainly do not have a photograph of one of the Leyland Beavers, but it is
beleaved there was actually one in presevation somewhere in the Cheshire area.
Oh yea, just out of interest, the fifty Austin K4 60ft hand-operated TL's that
were produced by the Home Office for the war effort from 1941 to 1945 were
numbered GXN 201-250.
Added by Pete Matten on 18 November 2008.
GLW letters.The 25 Leyland Beaver/Merryweather TL's had the registration
beginning with GXA, and the thirty Leyland/Merryweather TD7(bus chassis)also
had the GLW registration.GXA 97 looks like it was a Leyland Beaver.
I certainly do not have a photograph of one of the Leyland Beavers, but it is
beleaved there was actually one in presevation somewhere in the Cheshire area.
Oh yea, just out of interest, the fifty Austin K4 60ft hand-operated TL's that
were produced by the Home Office for the war effort from 1941 to 1945 were
numbered GXN 201-250.
Added by Pete Matten on 18 November 2008.
Pete has introduced a new piece of fire equipment to look for, namelhy the Leyland Beaver which was produced in small quantities for the NFS. It was unique in that it represented a big step into the modern era. It was diesel-powerd, compact(cab-over), had twin electric bells(were you ever the lucky one who had to ring the manual ten-inch bell five or more miles???) I've often wondered why they disappeared so rapidly. Anyone know of problems encountered? I have photos of three, none of which I took.
Bob Graham
Added by Bob Graham on 19 November 2008.
Bob Graham
Added by Bob Graham on 19 November 2008.
Bob, I've just come across a photo of a surviving 1940's Dennis/Merryweather 100'
turntable ladder in Scotland.Its located in the Museum of Transport in Glasgow
and was used by the Glasgow Fire Service.I've no other information and due to a
1800's hand-pulled hand-pump obscuring the registration, I can't help anymore.
Maybe one of our Scotish friends can help with reg, info, and maybe a photo?.
Added by Pete Matten on 08 December 2008.
turntable ladder in Scotland.Its located in the Museum of Transport in Glasgow
and was used by the Glasgow Fire Service.I've no other information and due to a
1800's hand-pulled hand-pump obscuring the registration, I can't help anymore.
Maybe one of our Scotish friends can help with reg, info, and maybe a photo?.
Added by Pete Matten on 08 December 2008.
The one in Glasgow Transport Museum is GXA 98. I've a picture but it's not great as all the appliances are squashed into a corner. When I zoomed in it's easy to see the registration though. I'll submit the photo but it might not be put on the site...
Added by Andy on 08 December 2008.
Added by Andy on 08 December 2008.
Andy, due to the interest at the moment in these N.F.S period appliances being
put onto the site, especially those that are preserved, I'm sure Marcel I hope
will include your photo.Its the only way we can trace whats still about and preserved from a very historical chapter in British firefighting history.
The photo I have was sent to me many years ago by Andy Anderson(Dumfries)and
I can't send in because its not my picture.Thanks for the registration.
Added by Pete Matten on 08 December 2008.
put onto the site, especially those that are preserved, I'm sure Marcel I hope
will include your photo.Its the only way we can trace whats still about and preserved from a very historical chapter in British firefighting history.
The photo I have was sent to me many years ago by Andy Anderson(Dumfries)and
I can't send in because its not my picture.Thanks for the registration.
Added by Pete Matten on 08 December 2008.
Pete,
Marcel has added the picture it's No: picture 12981. If you want me to email the 3mb picture let me know....
Added by Andy on 09 December 2008.
Marcel has added the picture it's No: picture 12981. If you want me to email the 3mb picture let me know....
Added by Andy on 09 December 2008.
i am wondering if anyone can help me i have purchased a AEC Merryweather TL and am looking to restore it to its former glory Reg No KOM 798
Added by Eric on 15 May 2009.
Added by Eric on 15 May 2009.
Dennis
One that did survive was a 1942 Dennis/Merryweather-reg GLW 436 which went to
Leicester and then tranferred to Peterborough in 1944.The appliance went out
service in 1965 and later into presevation.In 1993 it was up for sale by the
owner, I've never seen it since?????.
Added by Pete Matten on 17 November 2008.