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............. Alfred's story is going to be a bit different to the majority of the other stories that I have written. Alfred's story has been written and told by one of the family members and I am indebted to Katie Barker and the extended Minter and Shirley families for allowing … Continue reading AFS Fireman Alfred Edward Minter
Killed in the Line of Duty.............. This is the story of Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy a man who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of his Country. A man who volunteered when our Country needed it most and a man who was a lifelong friend and companion to his fellow AFS Volunteer Ernest Reginald … Continue reading AFS Fireman Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy
Killed in the Line of Duty........... John Coleman Barrell was one of the most difficult stories to both trace and determine, John and his family left behind a difficult trail to follow and the breadcrumbs were not always the easiest to find. For some reason he interchanged the spelling of his surname between Barrell and … Continue reading AFS Fireman John Coleman Barrell
Killed in the Line of Duty................ A quiet and unassuming man who was dedicated to his family, a family that was robbed of such a kind and generous man. Sadly the Endean family are another family torn apart by the events of that fateful night of 20th April 1941. Frank James Endean was born on … Continue reading AFS Fireman Frank James Endean
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
Killed in the Line of Duty......... Sadly Cyril Bertram Porter was one of those Firefighters that left very little footprint behind in the actual records, but his loss and the loss to his loved ones would have been felt equally as deep. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for his Country and that sacrifice will always … Continue reading AFS Fireman Cyril Bertram Porter
Killed in the Line of Duty………. This is the story of two young brave men, who befriended each other, enlisted and volunteered to join the AFS together and became connected by marriage, when Ernest's best friend, Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy married Ernest's younger sister Olive Joan Beadle. Two men brought together by their friendship and … Continue reading AFS Fireman Ernest Reginald Beadle
Old Palace School Bombing 