Fire Engines Photos

see picture 21023 also for it in preservation in the 1980s - at Duxford Rally.

Added by Peter Williams on 04 November 2011.

When was this photo taken then Ian?

Added by Marcel Gommers on 05 November 2011.

I honestly don't know Marcel, but I should be able to find out.

Added by Ian Moore on 05 November 2011.

Is it a pump or a hose reel tender? There looks to be the control panel for a hose reel pump on the side.

Added by Neal Glover on 05 November 2011.

This must be the Commer that was at the Bata shoe factory at East Tilbury in Essex.I used to look at it every day through the doors of the factory fire station when I worked there in 1963.(see my comments on picture 21023)They also had a very strange looking Skoda appliance in the station as well.The Skoda was a lot older than the Commer.I do hope that the Commer is still in existence.I would love to see it again.

Added by Mick Valentine on 07 November 2011.

I am Chairman of The Bata Reminiscence & Resource Centre which is based at East Tilbury library. I am keen to try and make contact with the owner of the Commer fire engine. Can anybody help please? I can be contacted through [email protected].

Many thanks

Mike Tarbard

Added by Mike Tarbard on 14 December 2014.

more information on the bodybuilder - Alex J. Marsh of Ash Vale, Surrey. They also built 2 Commers for Kent MKL 746 and MKL 749 which you can see in Roger Mardon's website or book.

Added by Peter Williams on 24 March 2015.

Alex J Marsh was my grandfather, my mum and dad also work in the factory when they were young. Does anyone know if the fire engine is still in existence?

Editor: please contact me directly by clicking on the blue Peter Williams hyperlink directly above this entry to email and I will make enquiries on your behalf. I would love to know more of your family connections to the factory. Do you have photos?

Added by Amanda Surridge on 22 November 2024.

One of very few Commer appliances which made full use of the original factory cab's cowl and front doors, not to mention the thoughtfully supplied front steps! The highly styled matching split rear cab doors offered a wide entrance/exit, but might have been an unnecessary expense, perhaps offsetting the benefit of using si much of the original Commer cab components. I agree it's not clear if this was equipped with a main pump, but it does look as if there is no storage space for suction hoses, which would suggest it is either a type A water tender or just a hose reel tender (with a less than 400 IG water tank).

Added by Rob Johnson on 23 November 2024.

One of very few Commer appliances which made full use of the original factory cab's cowl and front doors, not to mention the thoughtfully supplied front steps!

The highly styled matching split rear cab doors offered a wide entrance/exit, but might have been an unnecessary expense, perhaps offsetting the benefit of using si much of the original Commer cab components.

I agree it's not clear if this was equipped with a main pump, but it does look as if there is no storage space for suction hoses, which would suggest it is either a type A water tender or just a hose reel tender (with a less than 400 IG water tank).

Added by Rob Johnson on 23 November 2024.

according to an article I found today in Commercial Motor this company build the very first post war Commer fire engine, and it was stationed at Bracknell Berkshire. Registered FBL408 dating from 1950.

archive.commercialmotor.com/article/25th-august-1950/35/underfloor-power-for-fire-appliances

Added by Petros on 24 November 2024.

Having consulted Simon Rowley today he believes this did not survive much after the late 1990s. Shame. There is more about Alex Marsh here

www.ashmuseum.org.uk/amarsh.htm

Added by Petros on 25 November 2024.

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