Fire Engines Photos

I was interested in your comment, Alan, regarding this classic nev er having been painted in NFS livery during WWll. Winchester's Dennis pump escape ECG272 was likewise never painted grey although it sported the NFS yellow triangle and markings to the effect that if was 'NFS 16BlZ PE1' It likewise never traveled beyond Wincchster's city limits; it had something to do with being some sort of dedicated fire appliance. I'd also ask Alan if he knows how many Leylands the city of Bristol had; I have color slides of a limousine pump and an open two-seater pump escape, both in their later years. Did they survive? Thanks.

Added by Bob Graham on 22 March 2010.

The idea that all fire appliances were painted grey during the War is just a fallacy. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities fire services were provided by local authorities who mainly painted their appliances red. These were later known as peace-time appliances. The Government realised that additional resources would be required and established the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) which was largely administered at local level but supplied with large amounts of equipment on loan for the duration. All AFS issued vehicles and pumps were painted grey and carried the Royal cypher. Even after the formation of the National Fire Service (NFS) in 1941 there was never any need to repaint all the peace-time appliances grey, once the war ended these were expected to be returned to the local authorities in the same condition as they had been received. The AFS issued equipment would have been withdrawn.

It was very unlikely that peace-time appliances responded outside their own area apart from providing mutual assistance to surrounding brigades. Again this arrangement was primarily for peace-time fires. Any fires caused by enemy action were expected to be dealt with by the AFS. So in the case of Regional Calls were one area of the country was being heavily blitzed and needed the assistance of surrounding brigades, it was the AFS which responded leaving the peace-time appliances at home covering their own area.

Added by Dusty on 22 March 2010.

Bob,over the years Bristol have used the following Leylands,
HT 980 a hose reel tender
HT 3200 a pump escape
HY 1801 a pump escape
HY 4979 a pump escape
HY 9756 a pump escape
CHW 353 a pump escape
CAE 965 a turntable ladder
DHY 496 a pump escape
GHW 415 turntable ladder
HHT 183 pump probably the one you have a slide of


Added by Bristol Bob on 22 March 2010.

hi gents ,re afs a convoy of machines travelled from Middlesbrough to manchester to assist and provide relief in the heavy raids a distance of 180 miles.

Added by Ian Mc on 22 March 2010.

To the two Bobs, HY 4979 was/is(?) preserved as a pump escape in Norfolk. I have rather poor photos of it through the station doors at Diss fire station in 2000. It was decorated with white ribbons for a wedding at the time but it hasn't been there for years.

Added by Chris Wood on 23 March 2010.

Hello Chris,i think HY 4979 is in Dorset now.

Added by Bristol Bob on 23 March 2010.

Thanks for that Bristol Bob.

Added by Chris Wood on 23 March 2010.

Dusty has some interesting comments, however when the NFS was formed it was the full-time NFS who went to areas fire=bombed or blitzed while the AFS were called in to provide local coverage. I helped to convoy a good many columns through the 16th Fire Force, in the early days of the NFS there was a real mix of peace time equipment and NFS ATVs, but later it was pretty much all Austin ATVs with one HU, Hose Lorry,Ramp Lorry etc. plus Column Officer.Once in a while
there was a full week end exercise for AFS members, and they came with whatever vehicular equipment they had.

Added by Bob Graham on 26 March 2010.

Just as an aside,Bideford Fire Brigade in Devon sent their Pre-war appliance "Grenville" (JO2879) to a number of Blitz raids. The solid tyred appliance new in 1927 saw service in Bristol and Plymouth/Devonport crewed by NFS (retained) crews from Bideford. Allegedly it was the last mobile appliance in Plymouth on one raid, due to its solid tyres being not prone to bursting by broken glass, radiant heat, melting tar etc.

Added by Gary Simpson on 26 March 2010.

Gary,i have 2 pictures of GRENVILLE,but not my copyright unfortunately

Added by Bristol Bob on 26 March 2010.

Bristol Bob, I wonder if you might be able to provide any information about the fate of the following Dennis machines from Bristol?
Firstly, F7 MHW 800 which I only know was still in service in 1966 and F12 OHU 229 which in 1991 was said to be undergoing restoration by Oxfordshire firemen at Thame. Also F15 RAE 267 which in 1986 was said to be near Dorchester awaiting restoration. I believe this one is still shown as licenced on the DVLA site.
Any info appreciated thanks.

Added by Chris Wood on 28 March 2010.

Hello Chris,sorry,I don't have any information at all about the fate of any of these machines.
I really wish I knew.
All 3 were still in use in 1974 when Avon was formed.

Added by Bristol Bob on 29 March 2010.

Thanks Bob, you have added something to my knowledge.
The question is of course open to anyone else who might be able to help!

Added by Chris Wood on 29 March 2010.

The ex Bristol Leyland Lioness PE HY 1801 is now up and running in its new home in Cinderford, Gloucestershire.
Resplendent with its brand new radiator following the theft of the original some 4 years ago it is intended that she will convey the owners bride from the church in Huntley to the reception in Coleford on 23rd September 2017.
Lets just hope the weather holds good!

Added by David Berry on 08 September 2017.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.