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- Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service



Those known to have served with

Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

  • Ackland Henry.
  • Ackland Henry. Fireman
  • Allan James Dobie .
  • Andrews James.
  • Archer Frank. (d.10th April 1941)
  • Armitage Benjamin.
  • Bagnall Edward Cornelius.
  • Ball Margery Gladys . Fire Warden
  • Barnes Harry Francis.
  • Barnes William Henry.
  • Barrett . Fire Force Commander
  • Barrett Alfred Thomas.
  • Bateman .
  • Bates William. Fireman.
  • Bathie Jack. (d.17th/18th Sep 1940)
  • Belton L. W..
  • Bennett L. E..
  • Bennett M..
  • Bennett Margery.
  • Bent Harold. Fm.
  • Bighall W..
  • Bilsby . Driver Fireman
  • Bissmire James Albert.
  • Blake Robert.
  • Bookerk .
  • Boxall E..
  • Brackpool S. J..
  • Bradley Joseph.
  • Bridge Stan.
  • Brooks C. G..
  • Brooks Vera.
  • Brown Reginald Harold.
  • Buckler J..
  • Budgen J. P..
  • Bull F. T..
  • Bullen John Henry.
  • Burd E. E..
  • Burgess John George Western. Fireman
  • Burrage G. H..
  • Burrell Doreen.
  • Bush H. C..
  • Cadd J..
  • Campell Ian . (d.1940)
  • Cant Leslie.
  • Careford Charles Alfred Oscar.
  • Carnegie James Andrew.
  • Carpenter Daniel Joseph.
  • Cheal A. .
  • Chesham Ronald Albert. Fireman.
  • Chriss S. H. .
  • Churchman Margery Ivy .
  • Clark John Sheldon Wesley. Fireman
  • Clayton E. .
  • Coates MiD. Cecil Tester. Frmn.
  • Cohen Aaron.
  • Constable Jack . (d.1940)
  • Cook George A..
  • Cook Herbert. Fireman.
  • Coombs James Leonard. Fireman
  • Coombs James Leonard. Fireman.
  • Corlett George. Fireman.
  • Cornes Sidney Arthur.
  • Cowles W. S..
  • Curtress Charles Thomas. Fireman
  • Davey Allan .
  • Day Robert Leonard.
  • Denham E. E. .
  • Denison Charles Herbert.
  • Denny .
  • Dimmock A. W. .
  • Dodd P. G. .
  • Doick William . (d.1940)
  • Duffield T. W. .
  • Dullfield F. .
  • Eagle William.
  • Ede Frederick Robert. (d.17th January 1941)
  • Edinborough George .
  • Elcome N. R..
  • Elliott Ernest.
  • Elliott Harold.
  • Etheridge A. .
  • Evans Victor. Dvr.
  • Evershed B. .
  • Everson Alfred James.
  • Everson Stella Eliza.
  • Exton Freda Margaret.
  • Exworth Samuel Ralph .
  • Farman William Horatio. Firemn.
  • Farnham Elizabeth Mary .
  • Featherstone Guy Ivor. (d.23rd April 1941)
  • Field Herbert Frank.
  • Fisher Mark.
  • Foreman J. M. .
  • Fox Stanley Richard. Fireman
  • Francis H. R. .
  • Francis Wilfred Lawrence. Fireman
  • Gawn Reg.
  • Gawn Reginal Horace. Leading Fireman
  • Gladden Leonard George.
  • Gledhill Arthur.
  • Glenister Alfred. Fireman.
  • Grace Ronald Frank.
  • Granger Thomas.
  • Guy Randolph Basil Cyril. Fireman
  • Haines Stanley Edwin Norman.
  • Hall Robert Henry.
  • Halliwell Oswald George. Fire Off.
  • Hammond Alfred Douglas. Fire fighter
  • Hamson Stanley.
  • Hamson Stanley.
  • Hanks James Aubrey.
  • Harding Charles Frederick.
  • Harding Charles Frederick.
  • Hearn Reginald John.
  • Helman Lancelot.
  • Henly Lillian May.
  • Hood-Williams Douglas Francis.
  • Hook Frederick William . Fireman (d.25th December 1947)
  • Hooper Rosa Emily. Tel.
  • Hopton George Fredrick.
  • Hoyle John Senogles. Company Officer
  • Hughes Vincent.
  • Jackson Archibald Earle. Pte,
  • Jennings William Ernest.
  • Jenns Frederick James. Fireman.
  • Jenns Nancy Marion.
  • Johnston Thomas Wellington. Fireman.
  • Jones Harry. Fireman.
  • Jones Harry.
  • Jones Thomas.
  • Justice Frances Simpson. Drvr.
  • Keen George Frederick.
  • Kenlin Hammond.
  • Kidman Albert Edward.
  • Kingdon Ernest William Francis.
  • Knight Harry.
  • Lane Dennis Arthur.
  • Leach George Henry.
  • Lee James William.
  • Levy Marga. Cook.
  • Leworthy Cecil Arthur John. Fireman.
  • Lockie Robert. Leading Fireman
  • Lord Harry. Firem.
  • Lowe Duncan. Fireman. (d.May 1941)
  • Macartney William.
  • Mainstone Albert William.
  • Marshall Selwyn.
  • Metalli Luigi Aldo.
  • Milner Arthur.
  • Moore Lillian Victoria.
  • Morley Doris Harriet .
  • Morrison MID William Landskroon. Mjr.
  • Norris Sydney Herbert. Chief Fire Officer.
  • Peaston Ernest George.
  • Peters Edward.
  • Pettifer Philip George. Section Officer.
  • Phillis James Ernest. Aux. Fireman.
  • Player William.
  • Porter Arthur John. Fireman
  • Punch Julian William Carrington.
  • Radley Harry William.
  • Rees Sidney Harold.
  • Richardson Stanley. Ldg.Fireman.
  • Ridd Frederick Charles. Ldg. Fireman
  • Rogers Thomas Argent.
  • Sargent Arthur Shepherd.
  • Scales Frederick.
  • Sharp William Palmer. Station Commander.
  • Shaw Clara Ada.
  • Shemmans Albert William. Firem.
  • Shrewsbury Victor George.
  • Smith Leslie Kevan.
  • Sollitt Joseph William.
  • Spiring Thomas. CO.
  • Stringer Eric Charles. (d.28th September 1940)
  • Stuchbury Jessie Rose Pears. Ldg.Firewoman.
  • Styles George Alfred. Fireman.
  • Thornton Norman.
  • Thornton Vernon .
  • Vail Gilbert William .
  • Vanderweele Harry. (d.12th December 1944)
  • Wakefield John Ayling. (d. )
  • Walton Dennis George.
  • Walton Edward.
  • Waring John.
  • Whiston Samuel Frank.
  • White Albert George. Dvr.
  • Whitter Albert Victor Philip.
  • Williams William Eric Stephen.
  • Winter Audrey Elaine.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service from other sources.


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Want to know more about Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service?


There are:6142 items tagged Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


Sidney Arthur Cornes

My father, Sidney Arthur Cornes, joined the AFS prior to the war aged about 30. In due course he became a member of the NFS when the merger took place. Because he could drive (he was a commercial traveller for a coal factory) he became a driver and remained in the Fire Service in South London throughout the War. I know very little about his service and would be grateful for any sources of information about this time.

David Cornes



Harry Francis Barnes

My grandfather Harry Francis Barnes born 1905 served with the Auxillary Fire Service. I know nothing about his time working for them. I only know that he served in the Kentish town area. We have two photographs of him, one standing in front of an engine numbered 75X. what does this stand for? They have been awarded a trophy, what would this be for? Can any other information be found from the photograph?

Donna Miller



George A. Cook

I am now 80years of age and before I pass on I would like to find out more about my dear father, George Cook to pass on to further generations. I, like so many other young men was only interested in chasing young girls and not taking all that much interest in my fathers war. Just lately I have found out that he must have been in the thick of battles having been into hospital at Etaples in 1917 for a gunshot wound and then into Rouen hospital 9th August 1918 for results of a gas shell. He apparently served 4years and 303 days with the 1st Btn Cambridge Regiment and then the 7th Btn Suffolk Regiment, so must have seen a vast amount of fighting. I would love to know in what battles he must have fought and any other aspects of his war.

He had great courage and joined the AFS in Ipswich during WW11, going to the dock area where he came home with a live, perfect condition incendiary bomb which I de-fused and used the contents to make fireworks. I kept this bomb on display in my hall until about four years ago when I presented it to the Ipswich museum and I only hope it has been saved and not destroyed.

Russell G. S. Cook



Arthur Shepherd Sargent

My father, Arthur Shepherd Sargent, was with the Auxiliary Fire Service and was stationed in Middlesbrough. This photo was taken around 1940.

Ken Sargent



James Aubrey Hanks

James Aubrey Hanks served with the Auxiliary Fire Service in Bishop's Stortford, Herts and spent much of his time in London during the Blitz, attending the big fire at Purfleet refinery.

I'm trying to find out about his service record and where it might be kept. My father died in Oct 1998. Unfortunately like many of his generation he never spoke about his wartime experiences. I have recently retired from the Fire Service, serving in both Essex and South Yorkshire.

Michael Hanks



William Henry Barnes No 27 Fire Force, G Division National Fire Service

Discharge Notice

Going through old documents left after my uncle's death and I noticed my grandfather, Harry Barnes's discharge notice to commence on 9th of June 1945. He served with No 27 Force G Division.

Paul Barnes



Fireman Randolph Basil Cyril Guy

My father Randolph Cyril Guy was a fireman stationed somewhere in London and was billeted on a ship on the River Thames the name of which I believe could have been RRS Discovery. His NFS number is on my birth certificate. I have no other details of him about his service days in the NFS

Bryan Guy



Leslie Cant

My father Les Cant was a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service during World War 2. He was in a reserved occupation working at Thermal Syndicate, Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne. He would occasionally talk about his efforts on Tyneside fighting the fires following bombing raids by the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe would follow the route of the river Tyne from the Coast until they reached the Engineering Factories of the Tyne. Armstrong Whitworth Elswick Works and Swan Hunters being two of their main targets. One fire my dad was engaged on was when the bombers missed their principal targets but hit a warehouse full of sugar. There were tons of sugar set on fire, which I understand once on fire it is very difficult to extinguish.




Firem. Harry Lord

Harry Lord and his daughter Joan in the 1940s

Harry Lord was my grandfather, the youngest son of 11 surviving siblings, he was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1909. Being too young to have fought in the Great War of 1914 and being 31 years of age with poor eyesight in 1940, he volunteered to join the AFS. He was deployed in the Solent area of Hampshire primarily in the Gosport dockland and close by residential streets which were hit by ferocious bombing. He also served on the Solent fireboats.

Harry would never speak about his service during the war but returned home and continued with his life as a husband to my Nanna Marion, and Dad to my Mum Joan, who was only young at the time. Following the war, my Aunt Vivienne was born and Harry became a postman up until his retirement.

It was only later that stories began to emerge about him through someone who knew him during his service, who told my father that Harry was a bit crazy or a hero, whichever way you wish to look at it, and that he would enter burning buildings with no equipment to save people. He saved several women and children from bombed houses either by digging them out with his bare hands or entering unsafe properties. My father never questioned Harry or discussed it with him further, you just didn't in those days.

Before my Mum passed away, she gave me an old handwritten letter from Harry, sent to her on one of her birthdays when she was a kid because he would miss it. He had also enclosed some chocolate and some new stockings for my Nan, presumably from the black market, since these things were not readily available at that time. I also have a small silver pin badge shaped as a crown at the top and with the insignia of AFS.

Julie Hurst



Leonard George Gladden

Leonard Gladden is last on right

My grandfather, Leonard Gladden, joined the Auxiliary Fire Service after the outbreak of the Second World War after being granted exemption from military service on medical grounds. Len was stationed at Norwood and tackled fires in and around Croydon. The borough was heavily bombed during the Blitz, with more than 1,300 bombs dropped, terrifying residents and killing many.

Above is a picture of him and his colleagues - they too are our heroes.

Clare Foss









Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



British Women's Uniforms in Colour Photographs (World War 2)

Martin Brayley & Richard Ingham


This reference book contains the uniforms of the women's services during World War II. Nearly 200 colour photographs of rare, original uniforms from private collections are featured with detailed explanatory text. This really is an extraordinarily good book if you're looking for details of women's uniforms from the WWII period. Every page has a large, clear photograph of a uniform (worn by a modern model, but with 40s styling), plus detail shots of shoes, insignia, berets and so on.


The 1940s Look: Recreating the Fashions, Hairstyles and Make-up of the Second World War

Mike Brown


"The 1940s Look" tells you everything you need to know about the fashions of wartime Britain and the impact that rationing, the Utility scheme, changing tastes and the demands of everyday life had on the styles people wore. People had to 'Make Do and Mend' - with varying degrees of ingenuity and success. Hair styles, glasses, jewellery, and tattoos were essential in creating your own fashion statement. Women's magazines advised readers on the difficulties of dressing growing children, offered instructions for making clothes and accessories, and hosted debate over whether by dressing up, women were helping or hindering the war effort. Thoroughly researched and lavishly illustrated, "The 1940s Look" tells you how civilian men, women and children dressed - and why they looked the way they did during the Second World War. It draws on contemporary sources including government advice, periodicals and books, and benefits from an entertaining narrative by author Mike Brown.


Wartime: Britain 1939-1945

Dr Juliet Gardiner


Juliet Gardiner's 'Wartime' provides a marvellously rich, and often entertaining, recreation of life on the Home Front, 1939-45, drawing on an enormous range of oral testimony and memoir.
More information on:

Wartime: Britain 1939-1945









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