Forties Collection

ATLAS detector, CERN
ATLAS detector. Engineer standing on a platform in front of the ATLAS (a torodial LHC apparatus) detector (circular) at CERN (the European particle physics laboratory) near Geneva, Switzerland

Bomb damage and crater, Petherton Road, London, WW2
Panoramic view of extensive bomb damage and a crater in Petherton Road, North London, 2 July 1944. A salvage operation took place, pumping out flooded basements

Firefighters standing by during the Blitz, London in WWII LFB150
Firefighters standing by during the Blitz, London -- in the early hours of the morning, after a night of bombing

California: US Battleships at anchor, Long Beach (photo)
5995752 California: US Battleships at anchor, Long Beach (photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: US Battleships at anchor, Long Beach)

Vera Lynn 1947
Singer Vera Lynn, The Forces Sweetheart in 1947

The launch of HMS Eagle aircraft carrier
Launch of HMS Eagle, Royal Naval aircraft carrier by Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) in Belfast, 1946

Blitz in London -- ambulance at Ladywell, Lewisham, WW2
Blitz in London -- an ambulance and rescue workers in the Ladywell area of Lewisham, SE13, where houses were demolished by a parachute bomb, 18 September 1940

Blitz in Plymouth -- St Andrews Parish Church, WW2
Blitz in Plymouth -- the smouldering remains of St Andrews Parish Church, bombed and badly damaged in March 1941. The church was restored, and reconsecrated in November 1957

Vincent Rapide HRD Series C black 1949 1940s 40s
Vincent Rapide HRD Series C 1949 Black

Allard K1 Supercharged Roadster

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 303rd Bomber Group 1945
B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 303rd Bomber Group, the original " Hells Angel" on the airfield " cab rank" 1945

AFS women training, Highgate, London, WW2
AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) women training in Highgate, North London, in July 1942

Blitz in London -- Balham High Road, WW2
Blitz in London -- a bus in a bomb crater over an underground station in Balham High Road, SW London, 14 October 1940

Blitz in London -- turntable ladder in operation, WW2
Blitz in London -- turntable ladder in operation, with firefighter and hose

Blitz in London - AFS firefighter, WW2
Blitz in London - a smiling AFS firefighter, a former Smithfield meat porter named Eddie

Scene of devastation after flying bomb attack, WW2
A panoramic daytime scene of devastation following a flying bomb attack in London during the latter stages of the Second World War. Rescue workers look for buried casualties

Blitz in London -- AFS firefighter on ladder, WW2
Blitz in London -- an AFS firefighter on a ladder with hose attached, in a training exercise at HQ

Women dispatch riders in training, WW2
Women dispatch riders in training during the Second World War

Samuel Hahnemann, German physician
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), German physician and founder of homeopathy. His theory was that an illness may be cured by administering minute doses of a drug which causes the same symptoms

MG MGTC Britain British

Land Rover Series 1

Jaguar SS100 Roadster

The first Co-operative shop to be opened in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1844 (litho)
7157581 The first Co-operative shop to be opened in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1844 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

NFS fire engines at Wembley
National Fire Service fire engines at Wembley

Pregnant woman holding her aching back

Valentin Glushko, Soviet scientist
Valentin Glushko (1908-1989), Soviet rocket scientist. Glushko was one of the most important scientists in the development of the Soviet space programme

William A. Doberck, Danish astronomer
William A. Doberck (1852-1941), Danish astronomer. Doberck became the first director of the Hong Kong Observatory from its foundation in 1883 until 1907

Triumph 500cc (with Commer van) 1948 Silver & black

Sexy Woman Showing Off Her Nylons, 1949 (screen print)
2622196 Sexy Woman Showing Off Her Nylons, 1949 (screen print) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

"Premier"loop wheel frame, Stibbe and Co, Leicester (litho)
7160480 " Premier" loop wheel frame, Stibbe and Co, Leicester (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Premier" loop wheel frame)

Londoners sheltering from a German air raid on a platform in Piccadilly Underground Station during the Blitz
6015286 Londoners sheltering from a German air raid on a platform in Piccadilly Underground Station during the Blitz, World War II, September 1940 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Fishing boats at Fleetwood, Lancashire 1947

Sheffield United team group 1947 Dick Young Stan Machent J Smith Harry Latham Albert Cox Alex Forbes Dennis Thompson Harold Brook, Walter Rickett, Jimmy Hagan, Colin Collindridge

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Season 1949 / 1950
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Season 1949/1950 Back Laurie Kelly, Terry Springthorpe, Eddie Russell, Dennis Parsons, Sammy Smyth, Billy Crook Front Johnny Hancocks, Jessie Pye, Bill Shorthouse

Battersea Power Station generating hall turbines in 1948

Lyons Corner House on Coventry Street in London 1947

Plastics Nylon made as a substitute for silk Royal welcome home was given nylon as it made its post war reappearance in ladies hosiery

Bomb crater in Minington Road, Leyton, WW2
A bomb crater in Minington(?) Road, Leyton, East London, during the Second World War, 22 October 1944

Gregor Mendel, Austrian botanist
Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884), Austrian botanist and founder of genetics. Mendel, the abbot of an abbey in Brno, carried out breeding experiments with pea plants (held in hand)

A beafeeter in traditional dress outside the Tower of London

Einstein and Eddington, 1930
Einstein and Eddington. German-born physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955), at left, was famous for his theories of relativity

Ploughing in Lasswade, 1949
Ploughing in progress near Lasswade against the background of the snow covered Pentland Hills 1949

Scammell pump in Orange Street, London W1, WW2
Scammell 65-gallon pump in operation, supplying water to four hosepipes, at a fire in Orange Street, London W1, 21 September 1942

Blitz in London - Clarnico Factory, Hackney Wick, WW2
Scene of devastation at the Clarnico factory in Carpenters Road, Hackney Wick, East London, following a bombing raid on 24 September 1940

Blitz in London -- damaged fire vehicle, WW2
Blitz in London -- a firefighting vehicle damaged by falling debris in Alderney Street, Victoria SW1

Blitz in London - Foreign Street, Camberwell, WW2
Blitz in London - Foreign Street, Camberwell, SE5, a residential property hit by a high explosive bomb on 29 August 1940

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"Forties: A Decade of Resilience and Transformation" Step back in time to the forties, a remarkable era that witnessed significant milestones and defining moments. From the sleek Vincent Rapide HRD Series C black motorcycle roaring through the streets of 1949, to the birth of The Co-operative shop in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1844 - these were times that shaped our history. In the skies above, B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 303rd Bomber Group soared with unwavering determination during World War II. Firefighters stood valiantly by during the Blitz, their courage shining bright amidst London's darkest hours. Ambulances rushed through Ladywell, Lewisham as they bravely navigated war-torn streets while Plymouth's St Andrews Parish Church stood tall amid devastating bombings. Women joined forces as part of AFS training in Highgate, London - breaking barriers and proving their strength on all fronts. Balham High Road became a symbol of resilience as it rose from destruction caused by relentless bombings. And who could forget Vera Lynn's timeless voice echoing hope and unity throughout 1947? Amidst this chaos emerged triumphs like never before - witness the grand launch of HMS Eagle aircraft carrier marking a new chapter for naval power. Meanwhile, Allard K1 Supercharged Roadster showcased innovation and style on four wheels. Through it all, turntable ladders operated tirelessly during London's Blitz - a testament to human perseverance against adversity. The forties encapsulated an era where bravery met transformation; where communities united against unimaginable odds; where heroes emerged from every corner. Let us remember this extraordinary decade that shaped our world forever.