A.F.S
A.F.S N.F.S HORSHAMS WAR TIME FIRE SERVICE
 
 A.F.S 
 WAR TIME 
 THE FIREMEN AND WOMEN 
 WAR TIME DIARY 
 THE SOCIAL CLUB 
 N.F.S. Photo Album 
 2nd PHOTO PAGE 
 BEFORE THE WAR AND THROUGH IT 
 EARLY PHOTOS THE FIRST VEHICLES 
 HORSHAM A.F.S. 1893 
 THE COLEGATE BOMB 
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
 GUEST BOOK 
 
 



In Memory ROBERT CHARLES BLAKE 1908 -1991



HOW IT BEGAN


Up Dated 30 DECENBER 2006

My Father was a Fireman in the Horsham Fire Brigade during World War Two. I had been researching into our Family History and
found that there is little knowledge, of the work Horsham Fire Brigade did at this time.
The Record Office at Chichester has very little in the way of documents.
Horsham Museum, told me that they have one wartime photograph, They suggested that I contact the Council, this I did. They
were very helpful, but unable to come up with any information. It seems that when the fire brigade moved to Hurst Road, the
council took over the building for offices. A skip was used to take away the “ rubbish”, and lots of local History
was lost
forever.
I wrote to the Fire Brigade, it transpired that the Brigade had very few war time artifacts, No war time records, but a lot
of interest in the subject, they agreed it would be nice to know more.
I thought it was time something was done to record this important part of Horsham’s History.
It was difficult to know where to start. So I began with my father, Robert Blake, with the help of his diary’s, the Records
Office, a few of my father's colleagues, and of course my very patient husband, I have put together, as much information as
I have been able to find.
And I dedicate it to the men and women, of Horsham’s Auxiliary and National Fire Service 1938 – 1945.

Written by
MARGARET BALDWIN

Please look at my other pages for more information



Guestbook of eipgam
 
10-07-2009 - 09:26
 
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Perry
 pmartin04@yahoo.co.uk
25-11-2008 - 22:07 - from host81-155-175-165.range81-155.btcentralplus.com
My Grandfather was Henry (Harry) Ackland who joined the AFS full time on the 24/08/1939, Class 'B' AFS number 18393.
He was stationed at Bethnal Green Fire Station (East London E2) where he served until the end of the war. He covered most of the East/ West End especially the Docks, after narrowly escaping death on several occasions
tackling fires he had to contend with UXB's (Unexploded Bombs).
My Grandfather wasn't the one to talk about his experiences apart from the fact that he was buried alive for several
hours before being rescued and after losing several of his fellow fireman to falling buildings.
If you need an AFS or NFS badge visit this site
http://www.divpatch.com/page10.htm
Hope this helps.
smartie
 selwood247@aol.com
20-10-2008 - 02:52 - from 92.21.141.45
got an afs badge want info please help
David Lampard
 dave.lampard@btinternet.com
08-10-2008 - 11:26 - from host86-132-191-230.range86-132.btcentralplus.com
Great website. Both my parents served in Horsham Fire Brigade during WW2. Their details are below.

Ronald Lampard
The Fire Brigade was a very important part of Ronald's life. It was during WW2 that Ronald met his wife Betty, who was also serving as a fire woman, they married in 1948.
Ron first joined Horsham Fire Brigade on the 9 September 1930. Up until WW2 the official uniform was still the Victorian pattern including a traditional brass helmet, large black leather boots and a wide leather belt with a large brass buckle. All these items I still have and are cherished.
After the beginning of WW2 the Fire brigade changed on 16 Aug 1941 to the National Fire Service. Due to the war Ronald began full time service on 1 Oct 1941 and spent the duration of WW2 serving locally in Horsham. On the 8 Nov 1945 he ceased full time service and resumed part time service again on 8 Nov 1945. The service changed from the NFS to the West Sussex Fire Service on 1 April 1948. Ronald continued with the rank of Leading Fireman until he retired from the Fire Brigade on 31 March 1962 after 31 years service.
He had many stories relating to his days in the Fire Service, particularly relating to various bombs that fell in the Horsham area and numerous plane crashes both German and Allied. I will always remember as a child the bell in our house the siren and the rush when he was called out to a fire.
He was awarded the following medals -
Long Service Medal 28 Sept 1943
Defence Medal for Service in the Second World War.
Exemplary Service Medal.

Betty Lampard [Mascall]
Betty was a Fire Woman during WW2, joining the local Brigade on 13 October 1941. While on duty, she was stationed in a large rambling house called Glen Arun, on the eastern side of Horsham; this was the residence of the Fire Brigade’s lady members.
Her memories of the local area during this period were always fascinating, and her wartime diaries formed a part of two books by Cliff White on the history of Horsham during the war years. Cliff White was a woodwork teacher at the Forest Boys School in Comptons Lane, Horsham and was at one time my woodwork teacher.
There are many stories she liked to tell. One particular one was when she was stationed in Worthing for a short while. A German plane was flying low overhead on its way back from a raid on London. She had just about enough time to shelter in a doorway before a line of machine bullets thudded along the road just missing her.
Most of her time was spent in the watch room. One particular message she always remembered was a call from another station to the south of Horsham saying “They are sending planes over without pilots, Miss”. This was the first report of a V1 “Doodlebug” flying bomb.
Her war years in the Fire Brigade were always very important to her and she was always referring fondly to them.
She left the Fire Brigade on 9 September 1945.
My father Ron continued as a part time fireman until he retired from the Brigade on 31 March 1962.
Ronald and Betty were married on 3 July 1948 in St Mary’s Church, Horsham. They had a guard of honour at the church from Horsham Fire Brigade. Their reception was in the garden of Betty’s parents home North Heath Lodge, Holbrook, Horsham.

Ron Lampard died on 7th October 1993, his wife Betty died on
Betty

harold endersby
 harold@endersby697.orangehome.co.uk
17-09-2008 - 00:55 - from user-5442914d.l1.c6.dsl.pol.co.uk
my farther was a member of the coventry afs lost lievfe november 1940
margaret baillie
 margaret.baillie2@ntlworld.co.uk
09-06-2008 - 23:16 - from cpc2-kirk1-0-0-cust235.renf.cable.ntl.com
My mother and aunt were in The Manchester Fire Service during WW2, have sent email to lady in USA whose mother was also in The Service
Stewart Bogdanoff
 stub1@comcast.net
20-04-2008 - 02:55 - from c-67-189-148-116.hsd1.ny.comcast.net
During WWII I livd in Horsham from 1943-45 from about the age of 3 until 5. In the family I lived with there was an elderly man called FEATHER and my care taker was a crippled teen aged girl. My mother worked for the Am Red Cross on an airfield somewhere and she placed me with this family--who may have been relatives of my GM Jeannie Barclay Kirby. My birth father was also a fireman but in London until he was drafted in 1943. I was sent to the USA in 1946 and my name was changed from Stweart Raynsford to Bogdanoff. This is the only site I have ever seen of Horsham during the war. If anyone remembers the family I lived with--I would appreciate knowing.
Chris Mynn
 catmynn@bigpond.net.au
10-02-2008 - 07:07 - from CPE-124-187-32-239.qld.bigpond.net.au
My Father Edward Gretton Mynn served with the AFS during the war.We lived in Leeds Yorkshire.I have some photos of him if you are interested.Any info regarding the Leeds AFS area would be appreciated.Thank you .Chris Mynn.
Lesley Jones
 silverisle@hotmail.co.uk
29-12-2007 - 20:23 - from host86-146-86-189.range86-146.btcentralplus.com
My father, Frederick Norman Jones, was a volunteer fireman on the Thames fireboats during WW2, he was also a Quaker and a consciencious objector but I am not sure where in London he was based. If anyone has any information at all I would very much appreciate them contacting me.
Thank you. Lesley Jones
phyllis z. knox
 pzknox@sbcglobal.net
10-10-2007 - 07:06 - from adsl-75-17-125-63.dsl.rcsntx.sbcglobal.net
My Mother worked for the fire service in Manchester during WWII, perhaps in 1943. She met my Dad, an American Serviceman, during that time. The girls she worked with were very dear to her up until she died at the age of 85. I live in Dallas, Texas, USA , and have been unable to contact any of her surviving friends who she has written to since her 20s. One friend was named Rene, she is now Rene Ward. She has told me many stories about her adventures in the Fire Service.
Ray Westbury
 WHBAY@aol.com
22-07-2007 - 17:46 - from cache-los-ac01.proxy.aol.com
My mum was 15 and in the AFS in London in 1941 based in North Acton. She worked for 12 hours a day in the GKN nut & bolt factory and worked at least 30 hours a month in the AFS.
Does anybody know if she is entitled to any medals or forms of recognition?
 
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