Nfs Collection

Rank badges of the National Fire Service from Chief Regional Officer to Leading Fireman. September 1941

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

Bedford Heavy Unit in the NFS (London Region)
About 1000 of the pumps were built on a Bedford chassis and most were capable of pumping water at 700 gallons per minute. Here a heavy unit and crew are undertaking hose drills at Lambeth

NFS (London Region) Pimlico V1 bombing attack, WW2
The aftermath of a V1 flying bomb attack in Winchester Street, Pimlico. NFS firefighters join other rescue workers at the scene

NFS 60ft hand-operated turntable ladder, WW2
An Austin K4-Merryweather 60 foot hand-operated turntable ladder (TL). A total of 50 such appliances were built and mounted on Austin K4 chassis for the Home Office between 1942 and 1943

NFS firefighter at a training camp, WW2
With a dramatic reduction in enemy attacks on London after the Blitz (1940-41) firemen and firewomen had to be kept gainfully employed and a high level of fitness and preparedness maintained

NFS personnel coach from District 34-HQ, Ealing, WW2
National Fire Service personnel coach from District 34-HQ, Ealing, West London

NFS London Region control room and officers, WW2
With the Fire Service nationalised in 1941 the London Fire Brigade was combined with its surrounding Fire Brigades to form the London Region of the NFS

NFS firefighters at assault course training camp, WW2
With a dramatic reduction in enemy attacks on London after the Blitz (1940-41) firemen and firewomen had to be kept gainfully employed and a high level of fitness and preparedness maintained

NFS training / instructional photo, use of hose, WW2
How not to make a length of rolled up hose flat -- dont jump on it!

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

NFS-London Region 50ft wheeled escape ladder, WW2
An Ajax style wheeled escape ladder, wound out in its carriage, from Fire Force Area 34 Acton fire station (E1Z) located at 24 Gunnersbury Lane, Acton, West London

NFS (London Region) mobile kitchen vehicle
Donated to the London Region of the NFS by the Canadian Red Cross, the mobile kitchen unit displayed at the Regional (Brigade) Headquarters, Lambeth, SE1 is seen here with its side canopies extended

NFS (London Region) narrow boat fitted with fire pumps
There were 18 river fire stations along the length of the River Thames during WW2. They were used to accommodate the crews on a 24 hour standby to operate the fireboats

NFS-London Region 100ft turntable with pump, WW2
A Merryweather turntable ladder fitted with an integral fire pump that feeds the monitor at the head of the ladder and therefore does not require a separate pumping appliance to feed it

Members of the Canadian Fire Service join the NFS, WW2
Detachments from the Canadian Fire Service arrive in the UK to supplement National Fire Service numbers. Groups were allocated to the various Fire Regions

NFS - Home Office hose tests at Wimbledon, WW2
London Region NFS/AFS firefighters assisting in Home Office trials to improve water delivery systems to emergency dams and onto fires after the fire service was nationalised in August 1941

Salvage operation, Petherton Road, London, WW2
Salvage operation, pumping out flooded basements in Petherton Road, North London, on 2 July 1944, during the Second World War

NFS (London Region) ordinary fire in Islington, WW2
A fire in a shop and dwelling in Liverpool Street, Islington, North London. Despite the lull in enemy bombing, ordinary fires were still commonplace and some were of a serious nature

A fireman wearing the new National Fire Service cap and breast badge. The number takes the place of the name of the brigade going forwards. September 1941

V1 flying bomb attack, Aldwych, London, 30th June 1944. One of the deadliest attacks, 46 people were killed and at least 200 others suffered serious injuries

National Fire Service District Officer Ronnie Greene with his wife leaving Buckingham having been awarded the MBE for which he organised

Close up of the breast badge of a National Fire Service uniform. September 1941

After the blitzing of the City of London, Red Cross Street Fire Station, which had been badly burned externally and only saved from destruction by the determined efforts of the Station personnel

British firemen of the wartime National Fire Service fighting a fire during the Blitz, World War II
5226745 British firemen of the wartime National Fire Service fighting a fire during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Fires in the City of London around St Paul's Cathedral during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho)
5226760 Fires in the City of London around St Paul's Cathedral during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

St Clement Danes Church, Strand, London, on fire during the Blitz, World War II, 1941 (colour litho)
5226756 St Clement Danes Church, Strand, London, on fire during the Blitz, World War II, 1941 (colour litho) by Mills, Reginald (1896-1952); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Clement Danes Church)

Observation post of the wartime British National Fire Service during an air raid, World War II, 1940s (colour litho)
5226743 Observation post of the wartime British National Fire Service during an air raid, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service running from a collapsing building during the Blitz, World War II
5226754 Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service running from a collapsing building during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service inspecting a large bomb crater during the Blitz, World War II
5226751 Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service inspecting a large bomb crater during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Control room of the wartime British National Fire Service, World War II, 1940s (colour litho)
5226749 Control room of the wartime British National Fire Service, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills, Reginald (1896-1952); Private Collection; (add.info)

Firefighters of wartime British National Fire Service using a mobile canteen during the Blitz, World War II
5226746 Firefighters of wartime British National Fire Service using a mobile canteen during the Blitz, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service being alerted to the presence of a badly wounded victim of an air
5226744 Firemen of the wartime British National Fire Service being alerted to the presence of a badly wounded victim of an air raid, World War II, 1940s (colour litho) by Mills

Portrait - A Telephonist of the N. F. S
Portrait - A Telephonist of the N.F.S. Date: circa 1941

The Building Squad of the N. F. S
The Building Squad of the N.F.S. (National Fire Service) - building a control room for the Fire Station. Many members of the N.F.S

Welsh Firemen in position above the pit-head and railway
Welsh Firemen in a strategic position above the pit-head and railway on a daily exercise routine. many Welsh miners were part-time fireman during the war. Date: circa 1941

Herbert Morrison, mobile kitchen donation, WW2
The Home Secretary, Herbert Morrison, on 5 September 1941, visiting a mobile kitchen donated to the National Fire Service by the Sydney Chamber of Commerce. A firewoman looks up at him and smiles

Firemen dampening down the smouldering ruins in the the City of London following the Luftwaffes most destructive raid on the City. 11th May 1941

Women during an National Fire Service (NFS) fitness training course at the Regional Reserve Training Station in Tadbridge, Surrey. The class watching the instructor demonstrating a point

Firemen of the National Fire Service seen here building their own fire station at Bushey Circa 1942

Bugler of the National Fire Service 34 Division (Ealing, London) seen here performing at a NFS parade. Circa 1942

Nation Fire Service Agility team of 38 Fire Force Area (Wimbledon) seen here going through their demonstration. 14th December 1942

Firemen of the National Fire Service seen here building their own fire station at Bushey Circa 1942

Bugler of the National Fire Service 34 Division (Ealing, London) seen here performing at a NFS parade. Circa 1942

Nation Fire Service Agility team of 38 Fire Force Area (Wimbledon) seen here going through their demonstration. 14th December 1942

About two years ago, men and women of the Barnet National Fire Service (NFS) were turning out in their off duty time, at the rate of many hundreds a week

A day in the life of NFS Womens Fitness Training Course for instructors at No. 12
A day in the life of NFS Womens Fitness Training Course for instructors at No.12. Regional Reserve training station at Tadbridge, Surrey

Because Ilford fire-women who are competing in a tug-o -war tournament in Walthamstow on Whit Monday have no team with which to practise

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

During World War II, the NFS (London Region) played a crucial role in protecting the city from devastating bombings. The Bedford Heavy Unit stationed in Pimlico was always ready to respond to emergencies, including the infamous V1 bombing attack. Brave firefighters risked their lives daily, using a 60ft hand-operated turntable ladder to reach towering infernos and rescue those trapped inside. Inside the NFS London Region control room, officers coordinated efforts and made split-second decisions that saved countless lives. Training camps became second homes for these dedicated individuals who honed their skills on assault courses and learned how to handle hoses with precision. The personnel coach from District 34-HQ in Ealing transported firefighters across the city as they tirelessly battled fires caused by enemy attacks. At these training camps, teams of brave men underwent rigorous exercises on obstacle courses while others perfected their technique in using fire hoses. NFS fire engines at Wembley stood as symbols of hope amidst chaos, ready to rush into action at any given moment. The aftermath of bombings left behind scenes of destruction like bomb damage and craters along Petherton Road—a stark reminder of the horrors faced during war. Innovative solutions were also employed by NFS-London Region such as fitting narrow boats with fire pumps—ensuring no area was beyond reach when it came to extinguishing flames threatening innocent lives. The dedication and bravery exhibited by NFS personnel during this tumultuous time will forever be remembered as they selflessly protected London's residents from harm's way.