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Wigan Fire Service

6 Comments

Wigan Fire Brigade
Wigan Fire Brigade
Photo: RON HUNT
Views: 2,323
Item #: 29452
Wigan Fire Brigade W.W. 2

Comment by: Albert. on 18th June 2017 at 13:58

There was a time, probably pre the second world war, when the police, and fire brigade were a combined service. The officer, third from the right, appears to be a police officer.

Comment by: Bob mather on 19th June 2017 at 19:32

Roy did you get the photo from e bqy

Comment by: Mick on 19th June 2017 at 21:29

The majority of these men are actually members of the Auxiliary Fire Service, rather than regular members of the Wigan Borough brigade. They were recruited to assist local fire brigades, during WWII. The 'AFS' badge can be seen on the left hand side of their tunics.
The webbing shoulder straps no doubt belong to their gas mask holders.

Comment by: Andrew Heyes on 19th October 2021 at 12:53

I have an original postcard of this photo, purchased from eBay. Looking closely at the original, some of them are wearing poppies. Perhaps this was a Remembrance Day parade photo. The AFS was formed in 1938 and became NFS in 1941. In the 1939 census/register my grandad, William Heyes, is listed as a member of the AFS Wigan Fire Station. Sadly he is not in this photo. I have his NFS badge that indicates, although initially in Wigan, by 1941 he was in district 26, which was Liverpool and fits with my knowledge of his service during WW2 and the Liverpool Blitz.

Comment by: Roy F Langford on 18th February 2022 at 10:34

I hope that you have received my comments and that you find them useful
Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Roy Langford

Comment by: Roy F Langford on 18th February 2022 at 11:29

This Photo was taken in the Palace Cinema yard where the Dining room/ Recreation room was situated as there was no room in the Chapel lane Station which only had a very small drill yard. Fire appliances (Fire Engines) had to be backed into their bays as there was no access to the back and to back the Turntable Ladder into its bay which was Bay four was indeed a work of art.

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