In Memory of the 34 Firefighters who lost their life at the Old Palace School
Killed in the Line of Duty.............. Whilst researching this project, I was always aware that researching the lives of 34 firefighters was not going to be an easy task and that the likelihood was that for some, I was going to be unlucky and not find any living family members. Firefighter Ronald Mark Bailey was … Continue reading AFS Fireman Ronald Mark Bailey
Whilst researching the life of AFS Fireman Albert Alfred Savill, I have been extremely fortunate in being able to make contact with two of Albert Alfred Savill's descendants, who have kindly sent me a vast amount of documents, letters, photographs and newspaper cuttings about their ancestor. With Special thanks to Alf Saville and Keith Dye … Continue reading AFS Fireman Albert Alfred Savill
The London Fire Brigade War Memorial, was erected to members of the Fire Services who lost their lives during the Second World War. Seen here at the conclusion of the dedication and unveiling ceremony which took place on 10th April 1956, with additional flowers placed by relatives and friends. The memorial, which occupies a bay … Continue reading The Unveiling and Dedication of the London Fire Services War Memorial 1939-1945
Killed in the Line of Duty................... William Charles Plant was a fresh faced young man, cut down in the prime of his life, like so many of his fellow Firefighters, on that awful night in April 1941. A man newly married, with a young son and a whole future ahead of him, a future that … Continue reading AFS Fireman William Charles Plant
Killed in the Line of Duty............ Kenneth John Bowles was born on 15th October 1910 in Beckenham, Kent. He was the youngest son of Alfred Edward Bowles (1879 – 1957) and Minnie Bear (1877 – 1946). Alfred and Minnie were married in Thanet in Kent, in 1904. In the 1911 Census, six month old Kenneth … Continue reading AFS Fireman Kenneth John Bowles
Killed in the Line of Duty......... When you undertake a project like this, you have to accept that to make this work, you will have to not only invest a lot of time, but you also have to make an 'emotional investment' with those you write about. You have to make a 'connection' with a … Continue reading AFS Fireman William Thomas Rashbrook (“Sonny”)
Killed in the Line of Duty.......... Alan Charles Barber was born 15th May 1914 in Lambeth in London, the youngest son of William Charles Edward Barber and Ethel Barber née Langton. His father was a Carpenter and Joiner who had served in both the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force during World … Continue reading AFS Fireman Alan Charles Barber
Killed in the Line of Duty............... When I started this project, I knew it would be an emotional journey for both myself and the families that were so tragically affected by this story. Each and every one of the families of the 34 firefighters, would have felt the same pain, the same sadness and the … Continue reading AFS Leading Fireman Herbert Charles Wotton
Prior to this bombing raid in the early hours of 20th April 1941, London was in the middle of its biggest bombing campaign of the entire war. Known as the Blitz, for eight months, from 7th September 1940 to 11th May 1941, London suffered almost continual nightly bombing from the German Luftwafe. Over a period … Continue reading What Was Life Like During the Blitz?
Killed in the Line of Duty………. Here is Hilda's story........ Hilda Ellen Dupree was born on 12th August 1919 in Poplar, East London, the second oldest of five children born to Henry Albert Dupree and Ada Murray. Her siblings were Lillian Dupree, Joyce Dupree, Dorothy Dupree, and the youngest, Harry Dupree. Henry and Ada were … Continue reading AFS Firewoman Hilda Ellen Dupree
Old Palace School Bombing 