In Memory of the 34 Firefighters who lost their life at the Old Palace School
Killed in the Line of Duty.............. The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Vernon Joseph Middleditch has been carried out by researcher Fiona Smith. Vernon Joseph Middleditch was born on 29th October 1909 at 29, Alnwick Road, Custom House, West Ham in East London, the second youngest of eight children born … Continue reading AFS Fireman Vernon Joseph Middleditch
Killed in the Line of Duty......... Fate can sometimes deal the cruelest of blows and for some families they seem to suffer more than their fair share of heartache and pain, there is no way to explain things like this, but for some families, they just suffer tragedy and loss more than others and the … Continue reading AFS Fireman Martin Charles Parfett
Killed in the Line of Duty......... The tragic loss of a loved one can leave families distraught and torn apart and some families find it impossible to process such a devastating loss like this and in the case of Walter John Woodland, his Brother was so over come with grief that he was unable to … Continue reading AFS Leading Fireman Walter John Woodland
Killed in the Line of Duty.............. The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Ronald Mark Bailey has been carried out by researcher Jane Hough Whilst researching this project, we was always aware that researching the lives of 34 firefighters was not going to be an easy task and that the likelihood … 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................... The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman William Charles Plant has been carried out by researcher Fiona Smith. 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 … Continue reading AFS Fireman William Charles Plant
Killed in the Line of Duty............ The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Kenneth John Bowles has been carried out by researcher Sharon Grant. 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 … 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.......... The following extremely detailed research into the life of AFS Fireman Alan Charles Barber has been carried out by researcher Simon Last 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 … Continue reading AFS Fireman Alan Charles Barber
Old Palace School Bombing 