In Memory of the 34 Firefighters who lost their life at the Old Palace School
We finish where it all started, with the lady that made this whole project possible, my Great Aunt, Winifred Alexandra Wootton. This is the 34th and final biography of all the 34 firemen and firewomen who tragically lost their lives on that fateful night of April 20th 1941. Here is Aunt Win's story. Killed in … Continue reading AFS Firewoman Winifred Alexandra Peters
Killed in the Line of Duty........ The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Richard Albert Victor Kite has been carried out by researcher Fiona Smith. The Kite family were another one of those families that seemed to suffer more than their fair share of tragedy, far too many members of the … Continue reading AFS Fireman Albert Victor Kite
Killed in the Line of Duty………. The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Henry John Clifford Carden has been carried out by researchers Fiona Smith and Kelly Cornwell. Harry's story is one of those that leaves only a tiny footprint in the records and it has been difficult to piece together … Continue reading AFS Fireman Henry (Harry) John Clifford Carden
Killed in the Line of Duty............. The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman John Francis Mead has been carried out by researcher Mark Doggart. John Francis Mead was born in Hackney on 17th of April 1912, the son of Octavius Myhill Mead, an upholsterer, and Emma Bacon. He was baptised on … Continue reading AFS Fireman John Francis Mead
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
Prior to the start of WW2 the Government recognised the fact that the threat of War was imminent and that they were poorly prepared for a second World War. The Government acted swiftly with the Fire Brigade Act of July 1938 which demanded the recruitment of an auxiliary fire service as part of the country’s … Continue reading The History and The Tragic Events
Old Palace School Bombing 