Nfs Collection (page 4)

NFS firefighting crew with enclosed pump vehicle

First mobile kitchen donation, WW2
The Home Secretary, Herbert Morrison, receiving the keys to the first mobile kitchen from Lord Bennett (Richard Bedford Bennett)

AFS firefighters being served from mobile kitchen, WW2
AFS firefighters being served hot meals from a mobile kitchen presented by the Junior Red Cross of Saskatchewan, Canada. Date: 1940s

Interior of a mobile kitchen, WW2
Interior of a mobile kitchen, looking towards the rear, 25 August 1941. Date: 1941

NFS mobile kitchen in operation, WW2
An NFS (London Region No 5) mobile kitchen in operation, handing out meals to women in uniform. The vehicle was donated by the Canadian Red Cross. Date: 1940s

Three women staff officers, London HQ, WW2
Three women staff officers in AFS London uniform, 10 November 1941. They were appointed to London headquarters to work in the recruitment and employment of women in the National Fire Service

NFS recruiting van at Olympia
A National Fire Service recruiting van at Olympia, West London, 14 February 1946, possibly aiming to recruit soldiers returning from the war and visiting to the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps)

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. Date: 1944

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. Date: 1944

NFS personnel in salvage operation, WW2
NFS overseas personnel in a salvage operation, helping to remove furniture from damaged houses, 27 June 1944. Date: 1944

Mr Attlee attending hosepipe tests at Wimbledon, WW2
Mr Clement Attlee (Lord Privy Seal in Winston Churchills wartime coalition government, later Deputy Prime Minister 1942-1945 and Prime Minister 1945-1951)

Man with NFS ventriloquists doll
Man with a ventriloquists doll in NFS (National Fire Service) uniform. Date: C.1942

LCC-London Fire Brigade firefighting demonstration in London

Halt! Who are you Tommy - NFs + well fed up
Voice from the darkness Halt ! Who are you. Tommy - NFs + well fed up. 386202 Acting Sergeant Herbert Gibson, Mm, 1St Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Born September 1889

7th NFs St Georges Day in the trenches
7th NFs St. Georges Day in the trenches. The Red and White roses stuck in the shrapnel proof Helmet. What price me for a fine Tart

NFS fire engines at Wembley
National Fire Service fire engines at Wembley. Date: 1948

Firefighters taking part in a hose training drill, WW2
National Fire Service firefighters taking part in a hose training drill during the Second World War. Date: 1940s

NFS personnel in salvage operation, WW2
NFS overseas personnel in a salvage operation, helping to remove furniture from damaged houses, 27 June 1944

Major blaze at waste tyre dump, Mitcham, Surrey
Even though WW2 was over, the NFS continued until 1948. The London Region covered the Greater London including Mitcham, Surrey

Fire station staff in meal break, London, WW2
Fire station staff having a meal supplied from a mobile canteen van in a school playground in London during the Second World War

LCC-London Fire Brigade firefighting demonstration in London

Man with NFS ventriloquists doll
Man with a ventriloquists doll in NFS (National Fire Service) uniform

Three women staff officers, London HQ, WW2
Three women staff officers in AFS London uniform, 10 November 1941. They were appointed to London headquarters to work in the recruitment and employment of women in the National Fire Service

NFS recruiting van at Olympia
A National Fire Service recruiting van at Olympia, West London, 14 February 1946, possibly aiming to recruit soldiers returning from the war and visiting to the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps)

NFS mobile kitchen in operation, WW2
An NFS (London Region No 5) mobile kitchen in operation, handing out meals to women in uniform. The vehicle was donated by the Canadian Red Cross

AFS women working in mobile kitchen, WW2
AFS women working in a mobile kitchen at night, serving tea and biscuits to thirsty firefighters

AFS firefighters being served from mobile kitchen, WW2
AFS firefighters being served hot meals from a mobile kitchen presented by the Junior Red Cross of Saskatchewan, Canada

Two firefighters with salvage van and light pump, WW2
Two salvage workers with an NFS salvage van and a light pump

NFS personnel unloading luggage, St Pancras, WW2
NFS personnel helping to unload luggage from buses onto trolleys outside St Pancras railway station, 14 July 1944, as part of an evacuation exercise during a period of bombing

NFS firefighting crew with enclosed pump vehicle

NFS personnel helping evacuees, St Pancras, WW2
NFS personnel helping evacuees board a train at St Pancras railway station, 14 July 1944, as part of an evacuation exercise during a period of bombing

Mr Attlee attending hosepipe tests at Wimbledon, WW2
Mr Clement Attlee (Lord Privy Seal in Winston Churchills wartime coalition government, later Deputy Prime Minister 1942-1945 and Prime Minister 1945-1951)

NFS firefighter helping evacuees, St Pancras, WW2
NFS firefighter handing a baby to its mother after she is safely installed in a railway carriage at St Pancras railway station, 14 July 1944

NFS personnel loading luggage, St Pancras, WW2
NFS personnel helping to load luggage from a lorry onto a trolley at St Pancras railway station, 14 July 1944, as part of an evacuation exercise during a period of bombing

Interior of a mobile kitchen, WW2
Interior of a mobile kitchen, looking towards the rear, 25 August 1941

NFS (London) Heavy Unit (Pump) in a street, WW2
A heavy unit, which was the workhorse of the National Fire Service throughout WW2. Built to a Home Office design and specification

NFS recruits training on control panel, WW2
National Fire Service recruits training on a control panel

Firefighter wearing NFS uniform, WW2
Fireman wearing National Fire Service uniform

NFS towing unit and trailer pump, WW2
The National Fire Service was formed in 1941 and Greater London was designated a fire region with Lambeth as the Regional HQ

Conversion of NFS mobile kitchen unit to LFB control unit
London Fire Brigade mobile kitchen ready for conversion to a control Unit

Major blaze at waste tyre dump, Mitcham, Surrey
Even though WW2 was over, the NFS continued until 1948. The London Region covered the Greater London including Mitcham, Surrey

NFS (London Region) HQ staff car
A staff car, with accident damage to front right wing, outside Lambeth workshops. Fire Force Area 38 headquarters was located at Wimbledon where this car would have been allocated

NFS heavy unit crew removing mobile pump by ramp
A heavy unit from a Brixton fire station sub-station, seen here at Regional headquarters, Lambeth, with the crew either removing or loading the trailer pump which was the appliances fire pump when

NFS Heavy Unit vehicle appliance awaiting repair
NFS Heavy Unit vehicle which has been in an accident, awaiting repair

NFS Heavy Unit vehicle accident, Ealing, WW2
An NFS Heavy Unit vehicle accident in Ealing, West London. The driver, having lost control of the appliance, struck a tree while responding to an emergency call

NFS heavy unit with hosereels and water tank, WW2
Home Office (NFS) heavy unit fitted with hose reels and water tank on display at London Regional headquarters, Lambeth SE1

NFS (London Region) mobile kitchen, WW2
NFS (London Region) mobile kitchen

NFS (London) Officers Training Centre, Norwood, WW2
NFS (London) Officers Training Centre, Norwood, SE27

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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.