In Memory of the 34 Firefighters who lost their life at the Old Palace School
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.......... 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
The Fireman’s Prayer When I am called to duty God, whenever flames may rage, Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, Or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear … Continue reading The Fireman’s Prayer
On the 25th April 1941, Nineteen of the Twenty-One Beckenham Firemen were buried in a mass grave at the Beckenham Cemetery, after a memorial service at the parish church of St. George by Canon Boyd and a solemn procession through the town. The grave was dug entirely by their comrades and was softened by masses … Continue reading The Aftermath and The Funeral Cortege
Old Palace School Bombing 