|
Stationed at Ealing, Hammersmith, Acton, and Isleworth Fire Stations and in early 1960s at Brentford. |
outbreaks to attend It was a small station; there were sometimes
only 4 or 5 men. Time was spent on hose drills, practising with
pumps and escapes and brass polishing. The direct phone lines to
local factories were checked every day, and the one to Reed's paper
works on the Great West Rd twice daily. Men would travel around the
district testing fire alarms and hydrants, few had cars, and travel
was mostly by bicycle or public transport. Logbooks were completed
meticulously.
In the evenings there would be darts, snooker, cards, TV and radio.
Supper was at 8.00 with lights out from 11.00pm to 6.45am. There
were beds upstairs, and the men did not undress but slept usually
in overalls with their ordinary gear in kitbags. When the alarm
sounded at night they would run down the spiral staircase and jump
aboard the appliance. Most stations had a pole but not Brentford.
The uniforms were kept in the men's riding positions on the engine
and they dressed as they went.
Bigger stations had a full time cook, smaller ones a part timer.
Each watch had a member who volunteered or was pressed into being
Mess Manager. He got 5 shillings per week extra to shop and cook
when there was no civilian cook. Many men thoroughly enjoyed this
job. Shopping was done before the shift started, as firemen could
not leave the station during a shift.
Senior Officers used the Waterman's Arms in Ferry Lane; this was
where they entertained visiting personnel and guests. The men
usually used the Red Lion pub across the High Street on the west
corner of South Ealing Rd.
Red and Blue. Later when working hours became shorter, a White
watch was introduced. The atmosphere at stations was generally
very congenial. Most of the men had been in the forces and the
communal life in Fire Stations had much in common with service
life. Some had worked together for years. Having responsibility for
colleagues' lives promoted a close camaraderie and they probably
spent more time with each other than with their families. In the
early 1960s they worked two shifts 9.00 to 18.00 and 18.00 to 9.00
on weekdays. 18.00 to 10.00 on Saturday nights and 10.00 to 9.00
(23 hours) on Sunday nights. This was a 60-hour week over a 12
week rota.
Early in a shift District Control would telephone each station in
the Division for the numbers of officers, firemen, drivers and
those on leave or sick for the next shift. A Divisional Staff
Officer would deploy personnel as necessary, so crew were some
times sent to other stations.
houses, built in the late 1940s for firemen. They were then rented
at 7s 6d (38p) per week, said to be an uneconomic rent. Bernard
remembered two of the firemen who lived there. Bob Hubbuck was a
rough diamond and former bargeman. He was called 'Smoke eater'
because he could manage in thick smoke without breathing apparatus.
Arthur Higgins also lived there, was he related to engineer Richard
Higgins? Unfortunately we have no evidence that he was.
HISTORY OF BRENTFORD FIRE STATION
Don't forget to send your Comments
top-left corner of this page.