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How many of these incidents were attended by the Horsham Fire Brigade I am unsure, as it seems the records are lost, Horsham
was a very busy place in 1940. According the records I have been able to find .So I have listed all those, most likely to
have needed the attendance of the A.F.S. and a few others, to show what life for these men and women was like at the time.
OCTOBER 27TH 1939
Lysander L 6862 Crashed in Broad Bridge Heath.
JANUARY 12TH 1940
VICTORY ROAD SCHOOL. The Fire caused by a faulty central heating System. The school was completely destroyed by the blaze,
the heat so intense that it melted the glass in the windows and welded together some coins left in one of the rooms. For all
the heat that the fire generated it was still a freezing night, wet uniforms froze on to the firemen, and at least one tin
helmet was covered with an inch of ice. The foremen worked for six hours to control the blaze they were hampered by a lack
of water pressure.
FEBRUARY 16TH
Horsham council passes a vote of confidence in the fire service after unfounded allegations are withdrawn, after problems
with the water supply.
APRIL 21ST 1940
Hurricane N2500 Crashed at Cowfold.
JUNE 27TH 1940
Gladiator Crashed at Lower Beeding.
AUGUST 3RD 1940
Spitfire Crashed at Billingshurst
AUGUST 13TH 1940
Whitley Bomber Crashed at Ifield
AUGUST 20TH 1940 THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEGINS.
1940 24th AUGUST
Heavy bombing raid on Portsmouth.
64 high explosive bombs and 3 oil bombs were dropped on Chichester, as the County Town of West Sussex, it was a focal point
for the central administration of the Police, A.R.P. and all emergency wartime services in the region
117 killed 99 were seriously wounded
At Portsmouth he had to stay for a week.
One night they had a great deal of fire and bomb damage to deal with, all night climbing over rubble to put out fires, the
following morning they returned to the scene to help with making safe. When climbing to the top of the pile of rubble he had
been working from, the night before my father found the remains of a male body; he had been unknowingly standing on it the
night before. This had a bad effect on him for many years. .
Horsham Brigade was there for three days and nights. At this time no food or drink was provided for the firemen, they had
to supply their own.
AUGUST 27TH 1940
Hurricane Crashed at Holbrook
AUGUST 30TH 1940
Hienkel 111 Crashed at Squires Farm Capel
Hienkel 111 Crashed at Manning’s Heath. Pilots GEFR. G. Maehlbeck and OBLT Paul Waechter were buried at Hills Cemetery, Re-Buried
in 1950 at German War Cemetery Cannock Chase.
SEPTEMBER 1ST 1940
Spitfire Crashed at Henfield.
SEPTEMBER 5TH 1940 THURSDAY.
A messenger called Horsham Fire Brigade to the premises of Mrs. N.V.Laughton at 12.55. Firemen left the Station at 12.56.
The fire was in a hollow tree and had been caused by children playing with matches. Water from the river was used to put it
out.
The Appliance attending was the Bedford Truck.
The Firemen were R. BLAKE, and R. MILES. The Engineer was F. RICHARDSON.
The crew was dismissed at 3.50p.m.
SEPTEMBER 7TH 1940
In September 1940 the German air force and the fire brigade began a battle.
Huge numbers of fire engines raced to London during a bad raid, including those from Horsham and became part of the 25,000
firemen that fought the fires of the London blitz.
Most of the firemen in England had joined the A.F.S a short time before the war, some had not been in service long enough
to have even attended a serious fire. The beginning of the blitz must have been a terrifying sight to these men. The heat,
smoke and noise making it difficult to control their natural fear of fire. Where ever they looked great sheets of roaring
flame leapt about them, making it so bright that there was no need for headlights to be used on the vehicles. Walls came crashing
down around them, and the enemy flew threateningly over their heads. Water was their main weapon, and it was taken from anywhere.
From the 7th of September the Luftwaffe raided London day and night at first the attack was centred on the Docks and this
is where the Horsham men were sent. My Father spoke very little about his experiences in the blitz, except to tell me he was
in the dock area, but George Garrett’s daughter Dorothy Mayes, wrote to tell me of her father’s experiences there.” When they
arrived in London the docks were on fire, a terrible black smoke hung over London, All that could be seen was the cross on
top of St. Paul’s Cathedral shining above it.”
The bombing did not subside until the 5th October when most of the raids took place at night. The attack was withdrawn on
the 8th December giving the fire service a welcome break.
SEPTEMBER 9TH 1940
Junkers JU88 Crashed Newels Farm Nuthurst.19.45hrs two Germans wounded, two unhurt, taken to Horsham Base Hospital.
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed at Romans Gate 19.45 hrs. UFFZ Karl Born (Buried at Hills Cemetery) the pilot bailed out.
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed at Cootham 18.41hrs. Pilot taken prisoner.
The Three Enemy Planes were shot down in the evening and early hours of the morning, during dogfights. Three German Prisoners
were taken to the local police station and one to the Hospital.
Spitfire Crashed at Loxwood 19.55hrs plane a complete wreck.
Spitfire came down at 18.57 in West Grinstead, pilot O.K.
SEPTEMBER 1940
The first bomb landed on the house of the district nurse, she was rescued and taken to the first aid post at the village hall.
Two other bombs then fell, one hit the Post Office, the other was a direct hit on the Village Hall, killing the nurse who
had just been taken there for safety and wounding a first aid worker, the lady was so badly hurt that she later died. Another
bomb then exploded close to the church gate and this killed three members of the Auxiliary Fire Service. One of them was only
sixteen
IAN CAMPELL
JACK CONSTABLE
WILLIAM DOIK.
Three other bombs also fell on Colgate but did not explode at the time, although one of then did go off some time later.
Incendiary fires were also burning in St Leonard’s Forest where I was told of another Fire fighter died I have been unable
to discover his name or even if he was a member of the A.F.S. he may have been a local man trying to protect the area.
SEPTEMBER 19TH / 20TH 1940
00.10 hrs. Three H Es were dropped at Shelly’s Farm, Lower Beeding. No Casualties, and No Damage.
SEPTEMBER 20TH / 21ST 1940
H.E Bomb craters at Smoke House Farm, Shipley
SEPTEMBER 21ST 1940
11.32 hrs. Three Bombs were dropped at Adversane.
The road was still blocked at Shipley,
18.59hrs UXBs dropped at Chivers Farm Brooks Green.
SEPTEMBER 23RD 1940
100 Incendiary Bombs were dropped east of Rusper House. No Damage.
SEPTEMBER 25TH / 26TH 1940
00.45hrs 130 incendiary Bombs were dropped at Cool Hurst.
Incendiary bombs, sometimes known as firebombs, were designed to start serious fires in homes, factories and warehouses, and
the German bombers often dropped high explosive bombs at the same time.
UXB at Kerves Lane. Search for it abandoned.
St Hughes Charter House Cowfold, Two H.E. Craters, One UXB, No Casualties. Buildings Destroyed, valuable library buried, Living
Quarters evacuated, H.E.Bombs damaged the South side of the Cloisters.
SEPTEMBER 26TH / 27TH 1940
00.02 hrs. Sixteen H.E.Bombs fell on Lower Beeding, damaged the water main and telephone wires.
SEPTEMBER 28TH 1940
UXB at Basehurst, West Chiltington Lane.
Itchingfield put on Red Alert from 10.06 until 10.55
SEPTEMBER 29TH 1940
O1.21hrs. Four petrol incendiary Bombs at Dean Farm, Slinfold
459 Battery at Broadbridge Heath reported UXBs at Bourne Hill, Horsham. Two H.E. Bombs damaged windows and ceilings 12.43hrs
at Faygate.
23.59hrs Two H.E. Bomb craters in a field by Rusper Road.
SEPTEMBER 30th 1940 THE LONDON BLITZ
H.E.Bombs fell in a field at Prongers Corner, Lower Beeding. Some Cottages Damaged. One sheep killed.
OCTOBER 1ST 1940
Chennells Brook, Horsham. Four H.E.Bombs fell at 22.51hrs
Little Haven Crossing; Three H.E.Bombs fell at 23.53hrs, Damage to a Bungalow.
Hurricane crashed at Henfield 14.55hrs.
OCTOBER 2ND 1940
01.55hrs one H.E.Bomb fell at Plummer’s Plain.
OCTOBER 3RD 1940
4.00hrs Incendiary Bomb fell on Stanley Street, Laundry
OCTOBER 4TH 1940
15.50hrs Two H.Es and Two Oil Bombs fell at Hawkins Pond, Manning’s Heath.
OCTOBER 6TH 1940
5.40hrs. Horsham Railway Crossing in the Worthing Road, Train Wrecked, Line Blocked. There are no casualties.
OCTOBER 11TH
Bombs fell at Sedgwick Park, craters reported at Southwater. Four H.Es Southwater at 21.30hrs, line is blocked.
OCTOBER 13TH 1940
H Horsham Line is opened and service resumed.
OCTOBER 18th 1940
14.32hrs. Two H.Es and one oil Bomb fell at Lower Beeding causing slight Damage to two cottages.
Six H.Es and two oil Bombs fell in Shipley, No Casualties and No Damage.
23.00hrs Two H.Es fell on Cowfold no casualties but a “gas alert.”
OCTOBER 21ST 1940
23.15hrs Two H.Es fell at Lower Beeding.
OCTOBER 22ND 1940
Two H.Es were dropped on Shipley.
OCTOBER 26TH 1940
20.35hrs One H.E Bomb dropped on Southwater, No casualties but the Railway Line is blocked.
21.00hrs one enemy aircraft dropped a string of Bombs along the Holtye Road, East Grinstead. They struck a large house, trapping
several people inside; they were rescued and taken to Queen Victoria Hospital. A nurse was killed in her bath.
OCTOBER 27TH 1940
4.20hrs, Two H.Es Bombs were dropped on Lower Beeding. No Casualties but seven houses the Convent and farm buildings suffered
slight damage
OCTOBER 29TH 1940
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed in Flames at Plummer’s Plain.
Three H.E Bombs fell in the fields at Broad Bridge Heath, some damage.
OCTOBER 31ST 1940
20.50 hrs. Two H.Es fell at Manning’s Heath, no damage or Casualties.
NOVEMBER 1ST
A German pilot is rescued from blazing plane after machine-gunning workers at Plummer’s plane
NOVEMBER 14TH 1940 THURSDAY
Called out at 7.01p.m. Left the station at 7.02pm.
To attend a collision between a motor cycle and motor car
The motorcycle was destroyed, no damage done to the surrounding property, but owing to the Black out regulation it was expedient
to subdue the glare with all speed,
The fire was extinguished with two fire foam extinguishers.
The motorcycle passenger was fatally injured.
Appliance used was the Bedford Tender
Firemen were
H. OSLEY. R. MILES. R. BLAKE. C. BROOKS. F.DULLFIELD. G. LONDON.
Engineer was F.RICHARDSON.
Crew was dismissed at 8.06p.m.
There must have been many other incidents that they attended, which were not caused by the war. Although I have been told
that the blackout was the cause of many accidents.
NOVEMBER 29TH 1940
THE ACTION OFFICERS MINUTE BOOK (Held at Chichester Records Office)
22.10 HORSHAM, ORCHARD ROAD. 2 H.E. at 21.45
HOUSES DEMOLISHED, CASUALTIES NOT YET KNOWN.
A two-year-old girl was rescued from a house in Orchard Road, where seven people were killed. One of the dead was young girl
evacuee from London.
It was a Friday. The bomb went down the middle of the road taking out the front of the houses.
A young child had a very lucky escape, but sadly was left an orphan by the incident.
The Fire Brigade were hindered by the broken water mains and had to fill buckets from one of the bomb craters in the road.
NOVEMBER 30TH 1940
THE ACTION OFFICER MINUTE BOOK (Held at Chichester Records Office)
01.21. Casualties. Two men and two children killed two men and six women seriously wounded, three men and women and one child
slightly wounded.
16.30 casualty returns amended
Men, three dead four severely wounded one slightly wounded
Women seven severely wounded, one slightly wounded
Children. Three dead, one severely wounded, one slightly wounded
Total 23 casualties.
During November Eleven Bombs fell on Farthings Hill, Horsham.
DECEMBER 2ND 1940
16.40 one woman seriously wounded at orchard road has since died.
Gas, electric, and water services have been restored
DECEMBER 29TH 1940
Sent to Leatherhead in charge of pump and crew at 22.15, standing by at Ewell until 9.45 No Action. Arrive back in Horsham
11.45 on the 31st December 1940
(From the Diary of Robert Blake)
On the 29th December 1940 at about 6-p.m. 100,000 firebombs were dropped on London by the Luftwaffe
At the height of the battle men worked ten to fifteen hours at a time. Soaked to the skin within minutes of starting work,
the wet cloths getting heavier and colder as the night went on. Fires were fought in the open, at petrol stations, timber
yards warehouses and chemical works. Bombs were still falling all around, the flames making a beacon for the enemy bombers
to aim at. Burning walls crumbled and fell, sometimes without warning. And splinters from the shells flew constantly through
the streets. Men faced the fear and heat with good humor, common sense and determination. Young messenger boys rode their
motorcycles through dark crater filled streets and over miles of hose. To liaison between fires and control centers. Woman
telephonist faced the horrors of war and stuck to their posts in order to get messages through.
The woman’s Auxiliary Fire Service drove petrol lorries, through blizzards of sparks. They also bought canteen lorries into
the inferno
A class for Horsham Ordinary Volunteer Fire Brigade is being held on the 4th October 1938 at the fire station, when in addition
to fire drill, the men will receive instruction in anti gas and general A.R.P. methods
Horsham’s Farewell to Northern Firemen.
In order of reinforcing N.F.S. personnel who are shortly returning to their home stations in the Northwest a social was held
at Horsham Fire Station last week. About 100 persons were present, including reinforcing firemen from Storrington. Dancing
and Games followed supper. During the interval Firemen Brackpool, chairman of the Station Social Committee, said the time
had now come for the reinforcements to return to their homes stations, and they would leave behind them many friendships and
happy memories.
Although ‘’D’’ Day had not brought the work and anxiety that had been expected and for which preparations had been made. The
Northerners had joined in the preparations whole-heartedly and were ever willing to play their part in what ever they were
asked to do
Column Officer Whitehouse who came to Horsham from the Midlands early this year, responded and said they had made many friends
and would take back with them happy memories.
AUGUST 19TH 1938
An article in The West Sussex County Times. Stated that 60 Auxiliary Fireman were required.
Horsham residents were accused of being slow to volunteer for public service in the towns Air Raid Precautions work.
, This is the mustering of an Auxiliary Fire Brigade which was to call for the services of some 60 men between the ages of
30 – 50 years of age A class for Horsham Ordinary Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on the 4th October 1938. At the fire station,
when in addition to fire drill, the men l received instruction in anti gas and general A.R.P. methods
OCTOBER 27TH 1939
Lysander L 6862 Crashed in Broad Bridge Heath.
JANUARY 12TH 1940
VICTORY ROAD SCHOOL. The Fire caused by a faulty central heating System. The school was completely destroyed by the blaze,
the heat so intense that it melted the glass in the windows and welded together some coins left in one of the rooms. For all
the heat that the fire generated it was still a freezing night, wet uniforms froze on to the firemen, and at least one tin
helmet was covered with an inch of ice. The foremen worked for six hours to control the blaze they were hampered by a lack
of water pressure.
FEBRUARY 16TH
Horsham council passes a vote of confidence in the fire service after unfounded allegations are withdrawn, after problems
with the water supply.
APRIL 21ST 1940
Hurricane N2500 Crashed at Cowfold.
JUNE 27TH 1940
Gladiator Crashed at Lower Beeding.
AUGUST 3RD 1940
Spitfire Crashed at Billingshurst
AUGUST 13TH 1940
Whitley Bomber Crashed at Ifield
AUGUST 20TH 1940 THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEGINS.
1940 24th AUGUST
Heavy bombing raid on Portsmouth.
64 high explosive bombs and 3 oil bombs were dropped on Chichester, as the County Town of West Sussex, it was a focal point
for the central administration of the Police, A.R.P. and all emergency wartime services in the region
117 killed 99 were seriously wounded
At Portsmouth he had to stay for a week.
One night they had a great deal of fire and bomb damage to deal with, all night climbing over rubble to put out fires, the
following morning they returned to the scene to help with making safe. When climbing to the top of the pile of rubble he had
been working from, the night before my father found the remains of a male body; he had been unknowingly standing on it the
night before. This had a bad effect on him for many years. .
Horsham Brigade was there for three days and nights. At this time no food or drink was provided for the firemen, they had
to supply their own.
AUGUST 27TH 1940
Hurricane Crashed at Holbrook
AUGUST 30TH 1940
Hienkel 111 Crashed at Squires Farm Capel
Hienkel 111 Crashed at Manning’s Heath. Pilots GEFR. G. Maehlbeck and OBLT Paul Waechter were buried at Hills Cemetery, Re-Buried
in 1950 at German War Cemetery Cannock Chase.
SEPTEMBER 1ST 1940
Spitfire Crashed at Henfield.
SEPTEMBER 5TH 1940 THURSDAY.
A messenger called Horsham Fire Brigade to the premises of Mrs N.V.Laughton at 12.55. Firemen left the Station at 12.56. The
fire was in a hollow tree and had been caused by children playing with matches. Water from the river was used to put it out.
The Appliance attending was the Bedford Truck.
The Firemen were R. BLAKE, and R. MILES. The Engineer was F. RICHARDSON.
The crew was dismissed at 3.50p.m.
SEPTEMBER 7TH 1940
In September 1940 the German air force and the fire brigade began a battle.
Huge numbers of fire engines raced to London during a bad raid, including those from Horsham and became part of the 25,000
firemen that fought the fires of the London blitz.
Most of the firemen in England had joined the A.F.S a short time before the war, some had not been in service long enough
to have even attended a serious fire. The beginning of the blitz must have been a terrifying sight to these men. The heat,
smoke and noise making it difficult to control their natural fear of fire. Where ever they looked great sheets of roaring
flame leapt about them, making it so bright that there was no need for headlights to be used on the vehicles. Walls came crashing
down around them, and the enemy flew threateningly over their heads. Water was their main weapon, and it was taken from anywhere.
From the 7th of September the Luftwaffe raided London day and night at first the attack was centred on the Docks and this
is where the Horsham men were sent. My Father spoke very little about his experiences in the blitz, except to tell me he was
in the dock area, but George Garrett’s daughter Dorothy Mayes, wrote to tell me of her father’s experiences there.” When they
arrived in London the docks were on fire, a terrible black smoke hung over London, All that could be seen was the cross on
top of St. Paul’s Cathedral shining above it.”
The bombing did not subside until the 5th October when most of the raids took place at night. The attack was withdrawn on
the 8th December giving the fire service a welcome break.
SEPTEMBER 9TH 1940
Junkers JU88 Crashed Newels Farm Nuthurst.19.45hrs two Germans wounded, two unhurt, taken to Horsham Base Hospital.
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed at Romans Gate 19.45 hrs. UFFZ Karl Born (Buried at Hills Cemetery) the pilot bailed out.
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed at Cootham 18.41hrs. Pilot taken prisoner.
The Three Enemy Planes were shot down in the evening and early hours of the morning, during dogfights. Three German Prisoners
were taken to the local police station and one to the Hospital.
Spitfire Crashed at Loxwood 19.55hrs plane a complete wreck.
Spitfire came down at 18.57 in West Grinstead, pilot O.K.
SEPTEMBER 1940
The first bomb landed on the house of the district nurse, she was rescued and taken to the first aid post at the village hall.
Two other bombs then fell, one hit the Post Office, the other was a direct hit on the Village Hall, killing the nurse who
had just been taken there for safety and wounding a first aid worker, the lady was so badly hurt that she later died. Another
bomb then exploded close to the church gate and this killed three members of the Auxiliary Fire Service. One of them was only
sixteen
IAN CAMPELL
JACK CONSTABLE
WILLIAM DOIK.
Three other bombs also fell on Colgate but did not explode at the time, although one of then did go off some time later.
Incendiary fires were also burning in St Leonard’s Forest where I was told of another Fire fighter died I have been unable
to discover his name or even if he was a member of the A.F.S. he may have been a local man trying to protect the area.
SEPTEMBER 19TH / 20TH 1940
00.10 hrs. Three H Es were dropped at Shelly’s Farm, Lower Beeding. No Casualties, and No Damage.
SEPTEMBER 20TH / 21ST 1940
H.E Bomb craters at Smoke House Farm, Shipley
SEPTEMBER 21ST 1940
11.32 hrs. Three Bombs were dropped at Adversane.
The road was still blocked at Shipley,
18.59hrs UXBs dropped at Chivers Farm Brooks Green.
SEPTEMBER 23RD 1940
100 Incendiary Bombs were dropped east of Rusper House. No Damage.
SEPTEMBER 25TH / 26TH 1940
00.45hrs 130 incendiary Bombs were dropped at Cool Hurst.
Incendiary bombs, sometimes known as firebombs, were designed to start serious fires in homes, factories and warehouses, and
the German bombers often dropped high explosive bombs at the same time.
UXB at Kerves Lane. Search for it abandoned.
St Hughes Charter House Cowfold, Two H.E. Craters, One UXB, No Casualties. Buildings Destroyed, valuable library buried, Living
Quarters evacuated, H.E.Bombs damaged the South side of the Cloisters.
SEPTEMBER 26TH / 27TH 1940
00.02 hrs. Sixteen H.E.Bombs fell on Lower Beeding, damaged the water main and telephone wires.
SEPTEMBER 28TH 1940
UXB at Basehurst, West Chiltington Lane.
Itchingfield put on Red Alert from 10.06 until 10.55
SEPTEMBER 29TH 1940
O1.21hrs. Four petrol incendiary Bombs at Dean Farm, Slinfold
459 Battery at Broadbridge Heath reported UXBs at Bourne Hill, Horsham. Two H.E. Bombs damaged windows and ceilings 12.43hrs
at Faygate.
23.59hrs Two H.E. Bomb craters in a field by Rusper Road.
SEPTEMBER 30th 1940 THE LONDON BLITZ
H.E.Bombs fell in a field at Prongers Corner, Lower Beeding. Some Cottages Damaged. One sheep killed.
OCTOBER 1ST 1940
Chennells Brook, Horsham. Four H.E.Bombs fell at 22.51hrs
Little Haven Crossing; Three H.E.Bombs fell at 23.53hrs, Damage to a Bungalow.
Hurricane crashed at Henfield 14.55hrs.
OCTOBER 2ND 1940
01.55hrs one H.E.Bombs fell at Plummer’s Plain.
OCTOBER 3RD 1940
4.00hrs Incendiary Bomb fell on Stanley Street, Laundry
OCTOBER 4TH 1940
15.50hrs Two H.Es and Two Oil Bombs fell at Hawkins Pond, Manning’s Heath.
OCTOBER 6TH 1940
5.40hrs. Horsham Railway Crossing in the Worthing Road, Train Wrecked, Line Blocked. There are no casualties.
OCTOBER 11TH
Bombs fell at Sedgwick Park, craters reported at Southwater. Four H.Es Southwater at 21.30hrs, line is blocked.
OCTOBER 13TH 1940
H Horsham Line is opened and service resumed.
OCTOBER 18th 1940
14.32hrs. Two H.Es and one oil Bomb fell at Lower Beeding causing slight Damage to two cottages.
Six H.Es and two oil Bombs fell in Shipley, No Casualties and No Damage.
23.00hrs Two H.Es fell on Cowfold no casualties but a “gas alert.”
OCTOBER 21ST 1940
23.15hrs Two H.Es fell at Lower Beeding.
OCTOBER 22ND 1940
Two H.Es were dropped on Shipley.
OCTOBER 26TH 1940
20.35hrs One H.E Bomb dropped on Southwater, No casualties but the Railway Line is blocked.
21.00hrs one enemy aircraft dropped a string of Bombs along the Holtye Road, East Grinstead. They struck a large house, trapping
several people inside; they were rescued and taken to Queen Victoria Hospital. A nurse was killed in her bath.
OCTOBER 27TH 1940
4.20hrs, Two H.Es Bombs were dropped on Lower Beeding. No Casualties but seven houses the Convent and farm buildings suffered
slight damage
OCTOBER 29TH 1940
Messer Schmitt 109E Crashed in Flames at Plummer’s Plain.
Three H.E Bombs fell in the fields at Broad Bridge Heath, some damage.
OCTOBER 31ST 1940
20.50 hrs. Two H.Es fell at Manning’s Heath, no damage or Casualties.
NOVEMBER 1ST
A German pilot is rescued from blazing plane after machine-gunning workers at Plummer’s plane
NOVEMBER 14TH 1940 THURSDAY
Called out at 7.01p.m. Left the station at 7.02pm.
To attend a collision between a motor cycle and motor car
The motorcycle was destroyed, no damage done to the surrounding property, but owing to the Black out regulation it was expedient
to subdue the glare with all speed,
The fire was extinguished with two fire foam extinguishers.
The motorcycle passenger was fatally injured.
Appliance used was the Bedford Tender
Firemen were
H. OSLEY. R. MILES. R. BLAKE. C. BROOKS. F.DULLFIELD. G. LONDON.
Engineer was F.RICHARDSON.
Crew was dismissed at 8.06p.m.
There must have been many other incidents that they attended, which were not caused by the war. Although I have been told
that the blackout was the cause of many accidents.
NOVEMBER 29TH 1940
THE ACTION OFFICERS MINUTE BOOK (Held at Chichester Records Office)
22.10 HORSHAM, ORCHARD ROAD. 2 H.E. at 21.45
HOUSES DEMOLISHED, CASUALTIES NOT YET KNOWN.
A two-year-old girl was rescued from a house in Orchard Road, where seven people were killed. One of the dead was young girl
evacuee from London.
It was a Friday. The bomb went down the middle of the road taking out the front of the houses.
A young child had a very lucky escape, but sadly was left an orphan by the incident.
The Fire Brigade were hindered by the broken water mains and had to fill buckets from one of the bomb craters in the road.
NOVEMBER 30TH 1940
THE ACTION OFFICER MINUTE BOOK (Held at Chichester Records Office)
01.21. Casualties. Two men and two children killed two men and six women seriously wounded, three men and women and one child
slightly wounded.
16.30 casualty returns amended
Men, three dead four severely wounded one slightly wounded
Women seven severely wounded, one slightly wounded
Children. Three dead, one severely wounded, one slightly wounded
Total 23 casualties.
During November Eleven Bombs fell on Farthings Hill, Horsham.
DECEMBER 2ND 1940
16.40 one woman seriously wounded at orchard road has since died.
Gas, electric, and water services have been restored
DECEMBER 29TH 1940
Sent to Leatherhead in charge of pump and crew at 22.15, standing by at Ewell until 9.45 No Action. Arrive back in Horsham
11.45 on the 31st December 1940
(From the Diary of Robert Blake)
On the 29th December 1940 at about 6-p.m. 100,000 firebombs were dropped on London by the Luftwaffe
At the height of the battle men worked ten to fifteen hours at a time. Soaked to the skin within minutes of starting work,
the wet cloths getting heavier and colder as the night went on. Fires were fought in the open, at petrol stations, timber
yards warehouses and chemical works. Bombs were still falling all around, the flames making a beacon for the enemy bombers
to aim at. Burning walls crumbled and fell, sometimes without warning. And splinters from the shells flew constantly through
the streets. Men faced the fear and heat with good humor, common sense and determination. Young messenger boys rode their
motorcycles through dark crater filled streets and over miles of hose. To liaison between fires and control centers. Woman
telephonist faced the horrors of war and stuck to their posts in order to get messages through.
The woman’s Auxiliary Fire Service drove petrol lorries, through blizzards of sparks. They also bought canteen lorries into
the inferno
1941
NOTES. FROM A DIARY
LICENSES.
MOTOR DRIVER-------------------- £. 5s. 0d = [25p]
ROAD TAX
MOTOR CYCLES --- 150cc -------- £. 17s. 6d =[87 12p]
250cc -------- £1. 17s. 6d = [£1.87 12p]
Over------- 250cc -------- £3. 15s. 0d = [£3.75p]
MOTOR CYCLE (With trailer or sidecar)
£1. 5 s. 0d = [£1.25p]
DOG LICENSE (renew yearly 31st December)
7s. 6d = [37 12p]
Dogs under 6 months except.]
FIRE ARMS
To carry a gun or firearm of any description
Renew yearly (31st July) -------------- 10s. 0p = [50p]
Persons holding Game Licenses, Soldiers, Sailors & Volunteers are exempt.
GAME LICENSE renew annually (1st Aug-31st July) £3. 0.0 = [£3.]
To Kill from Aug 1st- 31st Oct ---------------------------- £2. 0. 0 =[£2.]
. . . 1st Nov - 31st Jul ---------------------------- £2 .0. 0 = [£2.]
To Kill for 14 consecutive days -------------------------- £1. 0. 0 =[£1]
GAMEKEEPERS ------------------------------------------ £2. 0. 0 [£2]
WIRELESS RECEIVING LICENSE ---------------- 10s =[50p]
Registered Blind Free
CASH ACCOUNT.
INCOME PAYMENTS.
PER YEAR @ 3_5 = £165
“ I2 “ = £ 84. 10s
- INSURANCE £ 2. 7s. 8d
- INSURANCE £ 4. 15s. 4d
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL = £249. 10s £ 8. 13s
£249.50p £8.65p = £240.85
£4.63p per week.
JANUARY
WED 1st 1941
Quiet day and night. No Enemy Action.
FEBRUARY 13TH 1941
Beau fighter 1F Crashed at Partridge Green.
MARCH.
SUNDAY 9TH
Heavy raid on the Portsmouth Area
MONDAY 10TH
Called to the Station early evening and sent to Chichester with one man and the Dam Lorry, on to Gosport, congested with Water
Units.
On March 10th 1941, bombs were dropped on Chichester but there were no injuries and very little damage to property, but three
days later on the
TUESDAY 11TH
Released at 11 a.m., tried until 3.30 p.m. to get petrol. Left Gosport at 4 p.m. and arrived home at 6.15p.m.
MARCH 12TH 1941
Hienkel 111 was shot down and crashed at Ockly.ST. FW. KARL BRUNING pilot was wounded. The Canadians took him to Horsham police
station where he was transferred to the Hospital. He was in need of an operation.
FW ALEXANDER DUSSEL was killed when his parachute failed to open and he landed in Lintotts field Holbrook. He was buried at
Hills Cemetery.
MARCH 13TH 1941 THURSDAY.
German Bomber crashed on Broomers Corner Shipley, and Blew up it was a Hienkel 111 All the occupants were killed, all were
buried at Hills Cemetery
They were
UFFZ ERIC HERMANN
UFFZ GRAF CALLICE
GEFR LEOPOLD SCHMID
OBERGEFR, W HALLERT.
One enemy aircraft machine-gunned and bombed Tang mere airfield at 11.45 and killed one Airman.
MARCH 14TH 1941
Enemy bomber was bought down in flames the German Pilot was found in a field close to Pond Tail Road, his parachute was unopened.
FRIDAY 14TH
Went to the wreckage at Broomers
My Mother had friends living at Broomers Corner and their Cottage was badly damaged by the plane. Mum went there on the 14th
and was horrified by what she saw. A happy dog trotted past her in the gateway carrying a large bone, obviously human. The
debris was everywhere. Dad never spoke about it. When as child I asked him what it had been like, all he would say was. “
When it comes down to it, they were people, not that much different to us.”
APRIL
APRIL 10TH 1941
Hienkel 111 crashed at Alfold Cross Roads
APRIL 11TH 1941
A German pilot was rescued from a burning plane at Plummer’s Plain UNTEROFFIZIER ALFRED LENZ was taken to Horsham Hospital,
but died the day after flames from his burns. He was buried at Hill Cemetery, but later in 1950 his remains were removed to
the German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase.
His plane was a ME109
Three Men were awarded Commendations for their efforts to save him.
APRIL 17TH 1941
Junkers JU88 Crashed at slaughters Bridge.
I had been thought that crew had got out safely. But they were later found, caught up in the trees, but local school children
that had gone to help clear up the wreckage
The men killed were F.W. HEINZ BUKART
OBERTW. WOLFGANG HASELSTEINER
OBER WALTER RUDI SCHEITAUER
OBERGEFR BRUNO KALMUS
Defiant 1 Crashed at Slaugham.
APRIL 18TH 1941
The Auxiliary Fire Brigade is amongst the Bonfire Offenders that appeared in Court.
MAY.
SATURDAY 10TH
Firemen had volunteered for the A.F.S. from all walks of life. Many of them before the war had started. But a lot more afterwards.
It should be realized that none of them had experienced the danger heat and exhaustion of a wartime blitz.
In September 1940 the German air force and the fire brigade began a battle.
Huge numbers of fire engines raced to London during a bad raid, including those from Horsham and became part of the 25,000
firemen that fought the fires of the London blitz.
Water was their main weapon, and it was taken from anywhere.
From the 7th of September the Luftwaffe raided London day and night at first the attack was centred on the Docks and this
is where the Horsham men were sent. The bombing did not subside until the 5th October when most of the raids took place at
night. The attack was withdrawn on the 8th December giving the fire service a welcome break.
On the 29th December 1940 at about 6-p.m. 100,000 firebombs were dropped on London by the Luftwaffe
At the height of the battle men worked ten to fifteen hours at a time. Soaked to the skin within minutes of starting work,
the wet cloths getting heavier and colder as the night went on. Fires were fought in the open, at petrol stations, timber
yards warehouses and chemical works. Bombs were still falling all around, the flames making a beacon for the enemy bombers
to aim at. Burning walls crumbled and fell, sometimes without warning. And splinters from the shells flew constantly through
the streets. Men faced the fear and heat with good humour, common sense and determination. Young messenger boys rode their
motorcycles through dark crater filled streets and over miles of hose. To liaison between fires and control centres. Woman
telephonist faced the horrors of war and stuck to their posts in order to get messages through. The woman’s Auxiliary Fire
Service drove petrol lorries, through blizzards of sparks. They also bought canteen lorries into the inferno
LONDON HIT BY THE WORST EVER AIR RAID. I, 400 CIVILIANS DIED
On the 10th-11th may 1941 the Luftwaffe struck London again. Hundreds of high explosives fell on the East End of London, as
did thousands of incendiary bombs. It is reported that 550 enemy aircraft took part in the raid.
The House of Commons was hit, the roof of Westminster Hall set on fire, and the square tower of Westminster Abbey collapsed.
Fire damaged The British Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral all four of London’s main railway stations suffered damage in raid.
SUNDAY 11TH
Arrived at Gravesend 4.30a.m. Stand by
Released 5.30p.m. Arrived home at 8.30.
MAY 14TH 1941 WEDNESDAY
Telephone call at 4.10p.m. Left the Station at 4.12pm.
Mrs. Midernes
Ivory Cottage. Colegate. (A Dwelling House)
Cause: A Foul Chimney
Appliances, Bedford Tender
Engineer F. RICHARDSON.
Auxiliary Firemen R. BLAKE.
Crew dismissed at 6.16p.m.
FRIDAY 16TH
Made Sub Officer.
G.G. Voluntarily giving up rank
FRIDAY 23RD
Increase in wages. 5/-
JUNE 1940
JULY 1940
AUGUST 13TH 1941
Lancaster J B605 Crashed at Oakwood Hill
28th AUGUST 1941
Junkers JU88 crashed at Partridge Green.
All those aboard were killed all buried at Hills Cemetery.
OBERFW EITEL FREDRICH MIELKE
UFFZ JOSEZ STEPNIEWICZ
UFFZ WALTER DANKENBRINK
UFFZ O. HAEFKER
SEPTEMBER
SATURDAY 20TH
Applied for Rank Sect. Leader.
THURSDAY 25TH
To Worthing for Interview.
OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 29TH
Left for Folkestone Reserve Base with the pump and crew in the morning.
Spent afternoon getting petrol.
THURSDAY 30TH
7.0 - PT Double along the front.
9a.m Parade
Then Officers Parade Drill in afternoon, followed by a Gas lecture.
NOVEMBER
SATURDAY 15TH
Harwood / Cook Hospital. 2700 + 850 = 3,550/7 pumps.
TUESDAY 18TH
Rations ½. IS T.M
FRIDAY 21ST
Rations
TUESDAY 25TH
Rations
INCIDENTS AT HORSHAM WAR TIME N. F. S.
JANUARY 1942
FRIDAY 10TH 9P.M. 1st Crew sent to Pompey with pump. 11.45 Leave with Dennis T.R. for Chi. (Chichester) sent from there to
Pompey. Whole Town a blaze. Guild Hall Gutted
Wandering from house to house unable to get direction on water.
Got busy around 6. Mostly damping down.
SATURDAY 11THp.m. pump broke down, after 2 hours waiting we got sent home Many bombs dropped as we left.
SUNDAY 12TH Two Incendiary bombs dropped 8.35p.m. one in the Park one in Albion Road both were attended by A.F.S. Fires extinguished.
MARCH.
SUNDAY 9TH Heavy raid on the Portsmouth Area
MONDAY 10TH Called to the Station early evening and sent to Chichester with one man and the Dam Lorry, on to Gosport, congested
with Water Units.
TUESDAY 11TH released at 11 a.m., tried until 3.30 p.m. to get petrol. Left Gosport at 4 p.m. and arrived Home at 6.15p.m.
THURSDAY 13TH German Bomber crashed on Broomers Corner Shipley, and Blew up
OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY 29TH Left for Folkestone Reserve Base with the pump and crew in the morning. Spent afternoon getting petrol.
1943.
FEBRUARY
TUESDAY 2ND to a Fire at Clock House Cowfold a sunny day returned 09.50
WEDNESDAY 10TH Bombs fell on Wimblehurst and Rushams Road
APRIL
TUESDAY 20TH First day under new C/O Many changes taking place
TUESDAY 27TH Emptied the Dam on the Carfax.
JULY
THURSDAY 29TH Fire at Bakers Shipley.
AUGUST
TUESDAY 17TH UNTIL FRIDAY 20TH NO LEAVE.
SEPTEMBER
SATURDAY 11TH Fire at Swiss Tyres and Co. Thunderstorms
1943.
JANUARY
Brigade Chief Mr. J.C.Gadd died. He had served the Fire Brigade for 35 years and to pay tribute to him, his coffin was placed
on a fire engine and carried in a procession to the Funeral Service.
WEDNESDAY 19TH JANUARY 1943
Catford, Southeast London.
At about 12.30 p.m. bombs were dropped directly on a school of 5 to 15 year old children 44 were killed 6 of them were teachers.
60 badly injured
FEBRUARY TUESDAY 2ND to a Fire at Clock House Cowfold A sunny day Returned 09.50 The Fire took five hours to get under control.
4th February 1943
Two bombs fell at West Green Church of E England School at 8. 30 a.m. only the cleaner was on the premises and although there
was a great deal of damage to the building no one was hurt.
SATURDAY 6TH 1700 at the School,
8th February 1943 Bombs fell on station road Crawley Killing two women.
WEDNESDAY 10TH Bombs fell on Wimblehurst and Richmond Road
An air attack by a lone aircraft took place on Horsham with bombs falling in Wimblehurst road, Richmond Road and Craven Lodge.
There were three serious casualties and six slightly wounded. Two houses were destroyed and over sixty were damaged
No one was killed
FRIDAY 19TH Exams at the Station all day
MARCH SUNDAY 21S WORTHING arrived 2100 hours, L/F Course. St. Romans.
MONDAY 22ND Drills and Lectures.
TUESDAY 23RD Lectures followed by Hook Ladder Drill
WEDNESDAY 24TH Drills and Lectures
THURSDAY 25TH Drills and Lectures
FRIDAY 26TH Drills and Lectures
SATURDAY 27TH Left Worthing by lorry 12.45. Arrived home at 2
SUNDAY 28TH R.Y.W. by Bus
MONDAY 29TH Drills and lectures
30th MARCH / 2ND APRIL Lectures and Drills.
APRIL SATURDAY 3RD Lecture at 3p.m. 4 0,clock leave Worthing for home. Warm and sunny.
MONDAY 5TH On duty Horsham, testing pumps.
TUESDAY 6TH Pump Testing
WEDNESDAY 7T 3RKE IRAB
FRIDAY 9TH Children’s concert a great success
SUNDAY 11TH On Duty
FRIDAY 16TH Muster 1900
SUNDAY 18th 1 Wishurst Camp
TUESDAY 20TH got dog out of 6.W.S First day under new C/O Many changes taking place
TUESDAY 27TH Emptied the Dam on the Carfax.
WEDNESDAY 28T R.R.S.Music postponed until Saturday.
MAY
MONDAY 10TH P.T.E 9 P.M.
FRIDAY 14TH Lecture at the Fire Station
MONDAY 17TH On Duty
THURSDAY 20TH A.F.S. 2 left for Broadwater on pipe laying.
FRIDAY 21ST Pipe laying
SUNDAY 23rd Left for Worthing 13.15
MONDAY 24TH to wet for pipe laying.
TUESDAY 25TH MAY At midday 25 FOCKE WULF 190s Dropped 381 bombs and indiscriminately gunned the Town of Brighton 24 people
died, 51 were seriously injured.
WEDNESDAY 26TH Bus to Worthing. Painting Hydrants.
THURSDAY 27TH Pipe Laying
FRIDAY 28TH Home on the 10 Bus.
SATURDAY 29TH Recalled to Worthing at 9a.m
Back at Horsham 5p.m. MONDAY 31ST
JUNE
TUESDAY 1st Returned to Worthing 9a.m. Pipe Laying
WEDNESDAY 2ND Thunder Storms
THURSDAY 3RD Fires were started.
FRIDAY 4TH Worthing, pipe laying
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1944
JANUARY 1944 THURSDAY 6TH Rick Fire at Kerves Lane.
FRIDAY 7TH Plane crash at Alfold. I remained in charge of Station. Two Mitchell Aircraft collided at Rikkyo School,
SUNDAY 9TH Notified that Rank Ceases on the 14th
FRIDAY 14TH Revert to rank of Fireman as requested
TUESDAY 18TH Fire Guard Exercise
FRIDAY 21ST Two Fairly Heavy Raids 8.30p.m. And 4.30a.m.
SATURDAY 22ND Magic Lantern shows by K.B. at the Station. Fire call to Southwater. (Sawdust)
SUNDAY 23RD Worked at Jackson’s 9a.m. Until 1p.m.
SATURDAY 29TH Social at the Station. V. Went
SUNDAY 30TH Filled the Bishopric Dam Fire calls to Lower Beeding.
FEBRUARY 1944 WEDNESDAY 2ND Chimney Fire at Rudgwick
THURSDAY 3RD Two Raids. One at 9p.m. The other at 5 a.m.
SUNDAY 27TH Exercises
MARCH 1944 THURSDAY 2ND VD Lecture at the Town Hall
MONDAY 6TH Heath Fire at Hammer Pond. 1500 until 1800
TUESDAY 7TH Fire Call to Billingshurst 10.00
FRIDAY 24TH Regional calls, over the Downs to Brighton and Shoreham, to inspect the Harbour. Heavy Raid. Out all night on
Rick fire at North Heath.
SATURDAY 25TH Social at the Station.
SUNDAY 26TH Bush fire at Doomsday Grange, Pump got stuck in the under growth.
TUESDAY 28TH Asked to go on driving course. (Held at Worthing)
WEDNESDAY 29TH Driving course to Bognor, Arundel, and Horsham.
THURSDAY 30TH Driving course to Horsham, Dorking and Guilford.
FRIDAY 31ST Driving Course to Petworth, Midhurst. Had a breakdown at Lavant. Learnt to drive and work pumps.
APRIL 1944 1st The Airfield at Coolham opened.
MONDAY 3RD Driving Course. Horsham, Dorking and Guilford
TUESDAY 4TH Driving Course
WEDNESDAY 5TH Driving Course. At the workshops at Midhurst with the pump Followed by a short drive in the dark.
THURSDAY 6TH Driving Course. Bognor to Littlehampton. Driving Test.
FRIDAY 7TH Driving Course. Arundel , Littlehampton, Three Horsham babies died in a fire at Hindhead Maternity Home.
MONDAY 10TH 9a.m. Bus to Worthing. Driving Course. Arundel to Horsham
TUESDAY 11TH Driving Course, Dorking, Guilford and Woking.
WEDNESDAY 12TH Driving Course. Storrington, Horsham, Crawley.
THURSDAY 13TH Driving Course. Bognor to Littlehampton. PASSED DRIVING Test-Driving Course. Selsey, Midhurst, Petworth.
MONDAY 17TH on duty at Horsham. Dam Inspections. Sawdust fire at Southwater 5p.m. Until 9.30p.m. Dull cold day
TUESDAY 18TH Pumping at Crawley Bye Pass, Drove out and Back.
FRIDAY 19TH APRIL 1944 MESSER SCHMITT 410 CRASHED AT COOKS FARM NUTHURST
PILOTS UFFZ ERNEST TESCH & LT REINHOLD WITT WERE KILLED MUSTANG CRASHED AT HONEYWOOD HOUSE, ROWHOOK
FRIDAY 21ST Pumping for the Navy at Southwater Brick works all day Sunny but cool
SUNDAY 23RD A Rick Fire at Loxwood.
MONDAY 24TH Pumping all day at Southwater Brickwork’s.
WEDNESDAY 26TH On Duty at the Station
THURSDAY 27TH Pumping at Southwater Brick Works.
FRIDAY APRIL 28TH 1944 NEW MOBILE CANTEEN IS GIVEN TO THE N.F.S. BY CANADIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN.
MAY 1944 MONDAY 1ST PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER BRICK WORKS
WEDNESDAY 3RD PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER BRICK WORKS FOR THE NAVY
FRIDAY 5TH ON DUTY AT THE STATION.
SATURDAY 6TH PUMPING FOR THE NAVY AT SOUTHWATER BRICK WORKS
MONDAY 8TH AND TUESDAY 9TH ON DUTY AT THE STATION.
THURSDAY 11TH ON DUTY 2P.M.
SUNDAY 14TH Cold dull day ON DUTY.
MONDAY 15TH ON GARAGE SITE ALL DAY SHORT LEAVE 7 UNTIL 10
SATURDAY 20TH SELLING FLAGS FOR HOSPITAL AT STATION. CHILDREN’S PARTY.
SUNDAY 21ST DULL COLD DAY, PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER BRICK WORKS HOME LEAVE 8P.M. UNTIL 10P.M.
TUESDAY 23RD PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER BRICK WORKS.
WEDNESDAY 24TH PUMPING AT HAWHOBOURN FARM Home Leave 8 p.m. until 10p.m.
MAY 25TH 1944 A SPITFIRE CRASHED AT MAPLEHURST
SATURDAY 27TH PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER.
SUNDAY MAY 28TH 1944 two trains collided at Horsham Station.
MONDAY 29TH QUIET DAY AT THE STATION.
TUESDAY 30TH PUMPING AT HARWOOD. FILLING DAM.
JUNE 1944 THURSDAY 1ST South Water all afternoon until 6p.m.
FRIDAY 2ND Southwater all day from 9a.m until 9 p.m
SATURDAY 3RD Changed the ration books
SUNDAY 4TH Pumping at Southwater Brick Works.
MONDAY 5TH Filling Dam in Kings Road, morning Pumping at Southwater Brick Works in the afternoon
TUESDAY 6TH Flying Bomb fell at Marlands Barnsgreen Demolishing the Stables and killing 50 chickens another came to earth
at Chesworth Farm demolishing Farm Buildings. FRANCE INVADED
WEDNESDAY 7TH (Continuous Duty) Pumping at South Water Brick works Double plane crash at Kay’s lane and Kerves Lane, Horsham.
THURSDAY 8TH Pumping at Southwater until 4.30a.m. Then attended plane crash at Kerves Lane. Then back to Pumping at Southwater
Brick Works. Cold drizzly weather. TWO MITCHELL 11 AIRCRAFT COLLIDED OVER HORSHAM
The two planes had taken off from Dunsfold Aerodrome, loaded with leaflets, which were to be dropped over France the two planes
collided above Horsham, crashing in Denne Park. It was a dark night. One plane was burning on the hill. As the N.F.S. got
the pumps into position it exploded. Dispersing parts of the plane, bodies and limbs of the crew, and thousands of leaflets,
all over the hillside. The second plane had crashed at Kerves Lane, But wasn’t visible; the Fire Crew spread out in the darkness
to find it. The reason it could not be seen was because it laid in a very deep crater, as the men approached, an unexploded
bomb on board went off, all the men had a very lucky escape, because of the depth of the crater, the force of the blast went
upwards. All the aircraft’s crew was killed.
SATURDAY 10TH STATION ALL DAY Fete in the Park.
SUNDAY 11TH Took Pump and T.V. to D.W.S. Left at 8.15a.m. Returned at 5p.m.
WEDNESDAY 14TH PUMPING AT SOUTHWATER Brick Works.
THURSDAY 15TH On Duty 9p.m. three Alerts between 11p.m. And 7.30a.m.
FRIDAY 16TH Four Alerts DURING Daylight. Driving W.O. to Crawley, Faygate and West Grinstead. Pilot less planes being sent
over by enemy making another noisy night.
SATURDAY 17TH Several Flying Bombs passed over during the night and morning.
SUNDAY 18TH Clear view of flying bombs passing over, all traveling west. Several more in the night. Heath Fire at Gravesland
2a.m. Until 8 a.m.
MONDAY 19TH Cleaning Hose. Quiet night. TUESDAY 20TH JUNE 1944
FLYING BOMBS DID DAMAGE IN CHRIST HOSPITAL,
THEY ALSO LANDED AT ITCHINGFIELD, IFIELD BILLINGSHURST, COWFOLD, BARNSGREEN, PARTRIDGE GREEN, COLEGATE, WARNHAM, SHIPLEY,
MANNING SHEATH, SLINFOLD, and RUSPER & RUDGWICK.
FRIDAY 23RD Home leave 6p.m. Until 8p.m 8.15p.m Forest Fire at Hands Cross-. I’M on Dam Lorry, returned to Station 3.30a.m.
SATURDAY 24TH HAVING RETURNED TO Station at 3.30a.m..
SUNDAY 25TH ON DUTY, QUIET DAY
MONDAY 26TH On Duty at the Station. Flying Bombs went over Occasionally
THURSDAY 29TH Petrol Lorry over turned at Kingsfold, No Fire home 8.10 Flying bomb fell at Christ Hospital at 5 a.m.
The RAF shot down a ''Doodlebug’’, which shattered windows and broke the roof tiles and slats in the Bishopric and West Street
Horsham. Another exploded at Holmbush and one more at St Leneords Forest House, no one was hurt. But there was damage to property.
FRIDAY 30TH To Tooting. Nerve racking day. Flying Bombs continually falling. Glad to arrive home 9.15.
JULY SATURDAY 1ST FLYING BOMB FELL ON BILLINGSHURST
SUNDAY 2ND SEVERAL FLYING BOMBS FELL ON DISTRICT
MONDAY 3RD RAINING UNTIL 5 FLYING BOMB FELL ON BARNSGREEN AT 3.30. Two Farm Cottages demolished in Barns green by a Flying
Bomb. A mother and young baby were rescued by the N.F.S
TUESDAY 4TH ON DUTY AT STATION
MONDAY 10TH FLYING BOMB FELL AT CRAWLEY.
Flying Bomb fell on the junction of Oak Road and West Street, Crawley. It killed 7 people and injured 44. 12 houses were demolished.
Many others damaged.
RICK FIRE AT KERVES LANE
TUESDAY 11TH ATTENDED RICK FIRE AT Dial POST
WEDNESDAY 12TH. FIRST TOTAL LULL IN FLYING BOMBS SINCE 13TH JUNE
FRIDAY 14TH JULY 1944 a woman was killed by a flying bomb, baby was found un-harmed. Two Women were killed at Barns Green
by Flying Bombs
SUNDAY 16TH DROVE TO HENFIELD WITH A HOSE.
WEDNESDAY 19TH WENT BY CAR TO WARNHAM, RUSPER AND CRAWLEY. BOMB FELL AT WARNHAM
THURSDAY 20TH DAM INSPECTION
FRIDAY 21ST 5 A.M. FLYING BOMB FELL AT THE BACK OF GORRINGS MEAD
SATURDAY 22ND DAM INSPECTION
SUNDAY 30TH Flying bomb fell at Rudgwick
MONDAY 31ST FIRE CHIEF MR. ERNEST DENNY. BURIED 2.30P.M. HORSHAM PARISH CHURCH.
AUGUST 1944 Driving all day and servicing
FRIDAY 4TH ATTENDED FLYING BOMB INCIDENT AT MADGELANDS.
MONDAY 7TH RICK FIRE CALL AT SEDGWICK FARM 5A.M. UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
WEDNESDAY 9TH RICK FIRE AT SEDGWICK BROKE OUT AGAIN
THURSDAY 10TH GRASS FIRE AT COPSALE COURT, ATTENDED WITH DAM LORRY.
SATURDAY 19TH CLEANING F. G. DAM AND DRIVING DAM LORRY. Very wet afternoon.
MONDAY 21ST IN T.V. TO WATERSFIELD FIRST AID LECTURES, returned home 5 p.m. weather reasonable
TUESDAY 22ND TO WATERSFIELD, EXTINGUISHED A LORRY FIRE ON ROUTE. HOME 5P.M.
THURSDAY 24TH TO WATERSFIELD. FIMS AND LECTURES, RETURNED AT 5P.M.
FRIDAY 25TH TO WATERSFIELD FOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND REVUE. RETURNED 5P.M.
MONDAY 28TH D.L. to Broadbridge Heath at 7 Flying Bomb incidents. Returned in Fire Car to Broadbridge Heath 11 untill12
WEDNESDAY 30TH ON DUTY AT THE STATION.
SEPTEMBER 1944 SATURDAY 2ND Fire call at Q.H. Bucks Green. Out when we arrived. ON STATION DUTY 3RD UNTIL 5TH
WEDNESDAY 6TH Out on Dam Inspection
FRIDAY 8TH Out on the Pipe line most of the Day. Anew weapon is being aimed at London from Holland and Germany. The V-2 long
range rocket, it weighs 15 tons and carries a one ton warhead, their only warning is described as the noise of an express
train as they fall vertically from a height of 50miles, traveling faster than the speed of sound.
SATURDAY 9THDAM INSPECTION, DROVE PUMP TO WEST GRINSTEAD TO DRILL GUYS.
MONDAY 11TH Station Duty TUESDAY 12TH Station Duty THURSDAY 14TH Kitchen Duties FRIDAY 15TH Station Routine
SATURDAY 16TH Clocks go back one hour. Black out has been relaxed. SUNDAY 17TH Dam Inspections MONDAY 18TH Station Routine
THURSDAY 21ST STATION ROUTINE
SATURDAY 23RD STATION ROUTINE (GALE IN THE NIGHT) SUNDAY 24TH STATION ROUTINE
OCTOBER 27TH 1944
Horsham N.F.S did some good work in supplying water to farms and houses that had been affected by the long spell of drought
during the summer. More than sixty appeals for supplies of water for various purposes were made. On forty-three occasions
the N.F.S. either conveyed water by means of a Dam Lorry or pumped it from streams. In eighteen cases water was supplied to
farms and nurseries for food production and on twenty-five occasions for domestic use owing to wells having dried up or fallen
to a low level. Approximately 39,000 gallons were supplied for human consumption.
Outstanding examples of this special service were seen at a farm in Horsham and at a nursing home. In the first instance the
N.F.S attended on four occasions and about 90,000 gallons of water were pumped to the farm from a stream in order to supply
drinking water for the dairy cattle.
NOVEMBER 1944 THURSDAY 2ND AN ALERT 7.30 UNTIL 8 .50.P.M. HOME AGAIN AT 9.10
MONDAY 6TH COMMENCE 24 HOURS ON 24 HOURS OFF DUTY.
TUESDAY 7TH CHIMNEY FIRE AT LONDON ROAD 3P.M. UNTIL 4P.M.
WEDNESDAY 8TH ALERT 9 UNTIL 9.30
TUESDAY 14TH Alert 12 to 12.30 WEDNESDAY 15TH On Duty feeling groggy, improved during the day.
THURSDAY 16TH Lecture on Bournemouth at the fire station.
FRIDAY 17TH
Fuller details of the enemy’s bombing attacks on this country were released, the public of Horsham can be told of the part
their fire force played during the Battle of Britain days. The Auxiliary Fire Service was started in Horsham Urban District
at the end of 1938 when an appeal was made for volunteers and members of the town’s fire brigade gave a demonstration it started
with ten recruits, but the numbers gradually increased. Training was carried out at the Fire Station, and after a time men
were selected from the ranks to take charge of A.F.S.Crews. Shortly before the outbreak of war a sub-station was opened at
Jackson’s Garage. When hostilities began several men were posted to the main station and the sub station on a whole time basis,
the first real baptism of fire for the A.F.S. came during a raid on the London Dock area in September 1940. When six firemen
and a messenger boy, with patrol Officer Gravett as Officer in charge, formed the crew, which went from Horsham.A.F.S. Personnel
later gave valuable service in other raids on London and on Portsmouth and Southampton. On one occasion, while fighting a
fire during a raid on Portsmouth, Leading Fireman Seawall and Fireman Booker were burnt about the face. Sewell and Fireman
Hamilton had an alarming experience during another attack on Portsmouth. They were standing on the Quay when they heard a
bomb whistling down. They immediately threw themselves flat on the ground, and the bomb shot over their heads and exploded
in the sea a few yards away, throwing up a huge column of water, but causing no injury to the two firemen. When the main post
office at Portsmouth was set alight by enemy action, a crew from Horsham was the first on the scene and was commended for
the efficient manner in which they tackled the blaze. Horsham firemen had an amusing experience when on their way to the London
Docks. They stopped at a shop to get cigarettes and found the occupants in a very flustered condition. The request for ‘’smokes’’
went unanswered, and shortly afterwards the men learnt that there was a delayed action bomb in the garden at the rear of the
shop! On another occasion a crew from Horsham approached a canteen van to get some refreshments. But a few minutes later the
van and the firemen beat a hasty retreat when a delayed action bomb was discovered a short distance away. Another exciting
but tragic experience came their way when having a snack. They had shared there rations with two men who a few seconds after
they had parted from there hosts, were killed instantly by a bomb. Once when returning from a raid on Portsmouth their towing
vehicle ran out of petrol, but with the aid of a stirrup pump, they managed to extract some petrol from their trailer pump
and were able to continue their journey homeward. Patrol Officer Gravett was walking through some water in London Dock area
during the Blitz when he fell into a bomb crater and hurt his leg. Leading Fireman Sewell received phosphorous burns on his
arms when he was engaged at an enemy action fire at Warnham.
These experiences serve to show the hazards that fire fighters had to face in the days of the Blitz and which they would willingly
have faced again had the invasion of the Continent brought in its wake the expected resumption of heavy bombing.
Apart from their ordinary duties, Horsham Firemen have assisted the local community in many ways. They have organised a number
of social functions and have lent a hand in running Fetes and Functions for many worthy causes. Each Christmas the children
of whole and part time fire men in the town have been given a party at the fire Station, and toys have been made for them
by the personnel.
There is an excellent savings group at the Station, and the average monthly collection for the Red Cross Penny a week Fund
is about 30/-
Co-operation between the N.F.S. and the other Civil Defence Services has always been most friendly and combined exercises
have frequently been held. Troops and Home Guard personnel have benefited by instruction in elementary fire fighting, given
by the town’s firemen.
A Social club was started at the fire station and it was decided to hold a dance on the 29th May 1943. It was difficult to
get a hall, as the area had suffered with a little trouble from the troops, and licenses had been withdrawn but they were
able to book the Nelson Hall, unfortunately this venue did not have a good reputation. It adjoined the pub, which caused more
problems Mary Marchant and her Music Makers were engaged to supply the music, they decorated the hall by raiding the Councils
Bunting store and spent the best part of the day putting them up. To keep it select they decided to have admission by ticket
only, The Dance was a success,
1944
During the summer months 32 Fire Force Area, of which Horsham forms part, did some good work in supplying water to farms and
houses which had been affected by the long spell of drought. More than sixty appeals for supplies of water for various purposes
were made to the N.F.S. and all were answered with promptitude. . The greatest number of calls came from West Sussex where
on forty-three occasions the N.F.S. either conveyed water by means of a Dam Lorry or pumped it from streams. In eighteen cases
water was supplied to farms and nurseries for food production, on twenty-five occasions for domestic use owing to well having
dried up or fallen to a low level. Approximately 39,000 gallons were supplied for human consumption. Outstanding examples
of this special service in West Sussex were seen at a farm in Horsham and at a nursing home. In the first instance the N.F.S
attended on four occasions and about 90,000 gallons of water were pumped to the farm from a stream. For consumption by a dairy
herd.
1945
JANUARY SATURDAY 6TH ON DUTY ICE BREAKING
TUESDAY 9TH Snowing all day
WEDNESDAY 10TH ON DUTY CHIMNEY FIRE AT SHIPLEY 6. 0P.M UNTIL 5.50A.M.
FRIDAY 12TH STATION DUTY SUNDAY 14TH STATION DUTY TUESDAY 16TH ON KITCHEN DUTY At some time during this month the airfield
at Coolham closed.
FEBRUARY SATURDAY 3RD SOCIAL AT THE STATION. A.M. ATTENDED MONDAY 5TH STATION ROUTINE.
TUESDAY 6TH Raining all day. Went to Westerham in the lorry, home at 5p.m. SUNDAY 11TH QUIET DAY IN STATION.
FEBRUARY 17TH 1945 A HALIFAX 111 CRASHED AT MANNINGS HEATH GOLF COURSE
APRIL 1945 27TH APRIL HORSHAM MEN SENT HOME FROM GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS
PART TIME FIREMEN STOOD DOWN.
MAY 1944 WEDNESDAY 2ND PUMPING AT SHIPLEY P.O.W. CAMP FRIDAY 4TH BY TRAIN TO CHICHESTER AT 2 P.M. FOR DRILL. RETURNED AT 6P.M.
MONDAY 7TH END OF WAR ANNOUNCED
TUESDAY 8TH OFFICIAL END OF THE WAR. IN EUROPE A PERFECT SUMMER DAY TO CHICHESTER BY TRAIN FOR SQUAD DRILL
MAY 11TH 1945 VICTORY BELLS RING OUT OVER HORSHAM AND BEACONS ARE LIT IN THE VILLAGES. CROWDS POURED INTO HORSHAM’S FLOODLIT
CARFAX TO CELEBRATE.
SUNDAY 13TH ARRIVED FOR DUTY AT CHICHESTER 10.04 A.M. FOR RELEASE SATURDAY 19TH FIRE CALL AT CHICHESTER BARRACKS 10A.M UNTIL
12
RICK FIRE AT FELFHAM 1 UNTIL 5P.M.
SUNDAY 20TH NO SLEEP LAST NIGHT, LEFT CHICHESTER 9.25A.M. ARRIVED HOME AT 11A.M.
THURSDAY 31ST ON DUTY AT CHICHESTER. RECEIVED RE DUNDANCY NOTICE 2.42P.M.
JUNE SUNDAY 3RD HOME AT 11A.M. MONDAY JUNE 4TH PASSED FINAL DRIVING TEST.
TUESDAY 5TH RELEASE FROM N.F.S. ACCEPTED.
WEDNESDAY 13TH LEFT CHICHESTER FOR THE LAST TIME. ARRIVED AT HORSHAM 11A.M.
FRIDAY 15TH FINISH WITH THE N.F.S.
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