In Memory of the 34 Firefighters who lost their life at the Old Palace School
Killed in the Line of Duty………. Of all the biographies I have written, Bertie's is one of the most poignant, his was the youngest life taken at the Old Palace School, aged just 17 when his life was tragically cut short on that fateful night in April 1941. A young man who volunteered when his … Continue reading AFS Messenger Bertie James Frederick Harris
Killed in the Line of Duty.......... Percy Charles Aitchison was the youngest of three boys born to Robert Imrie Aitchison and his wife Eugenie. He was born on the 2nd February 1914 and the family were living at 55, Ewhurst Road, Crofton Park, Lewisham, London. His father was a builder who had studied engineering and … Continue reading AFS Fireman Percy Charles Aitchison
Killed in the Line of Duty............. 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 22 May 1912 at St Augustine, South Hackney, London and at the time, the family home was 39 Christie Road, Victoria Park, … Continue reading AFS Fireman John Francis Mead
Killed in the Line of Duty................ Another young man cut down in the prime of his life and another young married couple whose future was so cruelly taken away from them on that fateful night in April 1941. The loss of a loved one, husband, son, father, is an immeasurable loss and something that we … Continue reading AFS Fireman Leslie Thomas Healey
On Saturday 19th April 1997, on the anniversary of the tragic bombing of the Old palace School in Poplar, a Dedication Ceremony took place at the site of the former Old Palace School, St. Leonard's Street, London The Dedication Ceremony Order of Service is shown below and was kindly donated to me by Bryan Wotton, … Continue reading The Dedication Ceremony
Killed in the Line of Duty........... Another life taken far too young and yet another family that were devastated by the tragic events at the Old Palace School in Poplar, on that fateful night in April 1941. Leonard Roots was born on 16th April 1910 in Beckenham in Kent, the youngest of four boys, born … Continue reading AFS Leading Fireman Leonard Roots
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
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............ 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
Old Palace School Bombing 