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Tom Payne
An autobiography of Tom Payne, mainly pre-war in Hemel Hempstead. At the start of the war he became a fire watcher. His cousin, Vivian Gunning, died in June 1940 whilst flying in a Blenheim. He recalls bombing and low flying German bombers. He joined…
My recollections of the War
Reminisces about pre-war and early war days as a schoolboy in Lewisham. Recalls events at the beginning of the war. Includes photographs of aircraft and naval ships. Continues with history of events through the war's early years including…
Release from National Fire Service Letter
A letter written by the Fire Service to Charles Goy releasing him from part-time duties. Included is a certificate of Service and a memo about retaining his uniform.
Air raid precautions album
![MRennisonJ[Ser#-Dob]-160224-03.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1488/30256/MRennisonJ[Ser -Dob]-160224-03.jpg "MRennisonJ[Ser#-Dob]-160224-03.pdf")
An album to contain a series of cigarette cards of national importance. Shows pictures of some of the things that the government and local authorities are working out for the protection of the general public. Includes: window protection, splinter…
Fire guard's pocket book pictures, diagrams and tables
![MRennisonJ[Ser#-Dob]-160224-02.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1488/30255/MRennisonJ[Ser -Dob]-160224-02.jpg "MRennisonJ[Ser#-Dob]-160224-02.pdf")
Covers first aid, care of stirrup pump, war gases, organisation, duties, equipment, team drills and actions and types of bombs including incendiaries. Concludes with miscellaneous notes.
Letter to Douglas Hudson
From Mildred H Grundy writes pleased to receive his letter and notes that it was a long time in transit. Writes of her activities including fire watching and her job. Writes of putting clocks back and having to go to bed earlier. mentions Queen's…
Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula
Writes about sending him socks and other items as well as about the activities of daughter Frances. Mentions she has been appointed fire-fighting group leader and been asked to do some secretarial work. Continues writing of fruit bottling, jam making…
Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula
She writes whilst she is on fire watching duty. She says that their daughter Frances went to tea on her own and that she has finished her diptheria immunisation. She writes that she and some friends went to tea and that she has been practising…
Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula
Asks whether he would like her to send razor and to mention that he would like his post office savings book to be returned to her as she need his written authority for this. Asks whether he would be prepared to make a rug if she sends him materials.…
Interview with Honor Saunders
Honor Saunders lived through the London Blitz. She was initially evacuated but returned to London. Her father was a fire watcher and on one occasion took her to the road bridge near her home to watch London burning. Their own home was damaged by a…
Interview with Iris McClements. Two
Iris McClements remembers being issued with a gas mask at the age of 11, before the war started. Her family moved to Eldwick when she was about 13 to avoid the bombs. She joined the Women’s Junior Air Corps and recalls being issued with a bucket,…
Malcolm Staves' Fire Fighting Card
A card authorising Malcolm Staves to take part in Civil Defence Fire fighting.
Fred Whybrow draft Obituary
The Obituary describes his service and civilian career from training in the United States to his 105 operations. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He met his future wife, Isobel in Blackpool. Served in the Far East and demobbed in 1947.
A fire service memoir
The memoir written by Fred during his time with the Auxiliary Fire Service at the age of 18. He observes a land mine parachuting to earth. It landed on the fire service sub-station killing 28. He persuaded his Station Officer that he wanted out and…
Interview with Daphne Baptiste
Daphne joined the Air Ministry at 17. She initially joined the Civil Service as she believed it would be a safe job with high wages. Throughout the war, she was stationed at Ladies College in Harrogate and was in charge of supplying water to many RAF…
Interview with Peter Swallow
Peter Swallow was born in Sheffield in 1929, one of three children. He recalls hearing Mr Chamberlain’s declaration of war broadcast as a schoolchild. His father, a plumber, volunteered as a member of the Local Defence Volunteers, eventually…