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Fire Engine Photos
1930 Dennis Big Six West Ham Fire brigade
1930 Dennis Big Six
It is June the 20th. 2009, and until this morning this Dennis Big Six had not moved under its own power for at least 30 years. Today it had the pleasure of enjoying the open road (well at least the farm track) once again.
1930 Dennis Big Six
It is June the 20th. 2009, and until this morning this Dennis Big Six had not moved under its own power for at least 30 years. Today it had the pleasure of enjoying the open road (well at least the farm track) once again.
I posted some pictures of my West Ham Big Six and the question was asked by Barrie Green 'Where did it come from'?
This was right at the start of the supply of Big Sixes to the London Fire Brigade and it featured on the front cover of the handbook for the Big Six. After leaving West Ham, it became the works appliance at Kodak. In private hands it was rallied occasionally in the 70's and ended up at the vehicle museum in the Lake District called Holker Hall. It never went on display, but remained in thier store in Blackpool. Eventually they sold it to a former London fireman where it remained for many years exposed in a London front garden. It then later passed through several hands before appearing at auction in Berkhamstead at the end of 2004.
Regrettably it has taken since then to return it to running order, so it seemed like magic to be driving it for the first time on Saturday.
Barry.
Added by Dr. B.A. Hutchinson on 21 June 2009.
This was right at the start of the supply of Big Sixes to the London Fire Brigade and it featured on the front cover of the handbook for the Big Six. After leaving West Ham, it became the works appliance at Kodak. In private hands it was rallied occasionally in the 70's and ended up at the vehicle museum in the Lake District called Holker Hall. It never went on display, but remained in thier store in Blackpool. Eventually they sold it to a former London fireman where it remained for many years exposed in a London front garden. It then later passed through several hands before appearing at auction in Berkhamstead at the end of 2004.
Regrettably it has taken since then to return it to running order, so it seemed like magic to be driving it for the first time on Saturday.
Barry.
Added by Dr. B.A. Hutchinson on 21 June 2009.
Thanks to Barry I had the pleasure of riding on this appliance on its first run out on 20th June 2009. I am researching the history of West Ham Fire Brigade and in particular this machine.
Added by Peter Williams on 21 June 2009.
Added by Peter Williams on 21 June 2009.
question;why were so many appliances of that time period topless?
Added by Trinifireman on 22 June 2009.
Added by Trinifireman on 22 June 2009.
Hi Barry, I was stationed at Plaistow Fire Station in the good old GLC days (L30 stn). Did this lovely old machine ever serve there? I have a picture of the appliances lined up there just before the war, but I can't make out reg numbers. Just for any one that might be interested, the old West Ham Brigade had 3 stations, Stratford, Prince Regent's Lane(Plaistow) and Silvertown. I really look forward to seeing this lovely old machine when it is finished.
Added by Murray Beale on 22 June 2009.
Added by Murray Beale on 22 June 2009.
Barry
We have had brief email contact before. It's wonderful to discover that PD 1490 is on the move again. As I previously mentioned, my father was in West Ham Fire Brigade, stationed at Stratford for around twenty years from 1930. He would almost certainly have driven JD 1490 to fires. Perhaps my son and I could have sight of it one day. Very Best Regards
Added by Mike Smith on 14 September 2009.
We have had brief email contact before. It's wonderful to discover that PD 1490 is on the move again. As I previously mentioned, my father was in West Ham Fire Brigade, stationed at Stratford for around twenty years from 1930. He would almost certainly have driven JD 1490 to fires. Perhaps my son and I could have sight of it one day. Very Best Regards
Added by Mike Smith on 14 September 2009.
Dennis
Added by Barrie Green on 21 June 2009.