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In Autumn 2014, an advertisement on the internet auction site EBay for an ex London Fire Brigade turntable ladder had been spotted by a retired London fireman. That person posted his find on a Facebook page, also for retired London firemen, and raised the idea, jokingly, about the possibility of buying it. That joke did not last long as within a week, enough interested group members had expressed support for such an idea.
So it came to pass that commitments were made, monies offered and the group slowly started to come together in a more cohesive manner until one day, our now Chairman, Peter Russell, contacted the owner, Simon Harris, and discussions commenced about who we were and our interest in purchasing the appliance. By this time, a significant amount of money had been pledged and, although not matching the full asking price, Simon agreed to let us purchase her for the amount we had. In October 2014, the deal was concluded and 240FLM was transferred to her new home in Cambridgeshire by a small group of very excited retired firemen and colleagues. All images courtesy and copyright Paul Wood. |
Former owner Simon Harris says yes to the sale to our group
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Our chairman, Peter Russell (L) gets ready to sign the paperwork
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A familiar sight, long forgotten!
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By November of 2014 and with a membership of nearly 70, it was concluded that a far more formal approach to this project was required. On November 15th 2014, an inaugural AGM was held in the small village of Wicken in Cambridgeshire where 49 members thrashed out the details of how, where, why, when, and who would, and could take this project forward. What you see today is the result of that first meeting. We now bear the name of the 240FLM Preservation Group and accordingly we have a constitution, committee, bank account and a large group of enthusiastic members keen to take this project to its completion and conclusion.
Merryweather & Sons Ltd. Greenwich High Road. London SE10.
The birthplace of 240FLM.
The 9 images below form the covers and body of a slightly earlier advertising brochure for the previous generation of Merryweather arial appliances.
240FLM followed on from this generation and operated in much the same way, One of the specific differences though was the replacing of the old fashioned, hand operated, swing out jacks with 4, strategically placed hydraulic types and a single pane, front cab window, replacing the earlier, 4 pane type with a central divider and 2 - 1/4 lights.
240FLM followed on from this generation and operated in much the same way, One of the specific differences though was the replacing of the old fashioned, hand operated, swing out jacks with 4, strategically placed hydraulic types and a single pane, front cab window, replacing the earlier, 4 pane type with a central divider and 2 - 1/4 lights.
Trade journal piece advertising the benefits of hydraulic jacks and revised seating position for the operator.
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The promotional advertising that accompanied the purchase of the appliances by the LFB in 1964
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The history of the appliance
Originally purchased in 1964 by the London Fire Brigade, this appliance came into service along with 5 other identical turntable ladders in July 1965.
This particular appliance was given the fleet no. TL23P and registration number 240 FLM.
Initially allocated to the old C40, which was very soon to become B29 New Cross fire station in South London in the new GLC London Fire Brigade. She served there until her transfer to K22 Wandsworth in 1969 where she remained on operational service until her retirement to the reserve fleet in mid 1981 ( subject to final ratification).
After this she was used as a spare appliance and finally as a training vehicle for new operators at the then Training Centre at Southwark.
240FLM was finally sold off in late 1981 or early 1982 via a car dealership in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
This particular appliance was given the fleet no. TL23P and registration number 240 FLM.
Initially allocated to the old C40, which was very soon to become B29 New Cross fire station in South London in the new GLC London Fire Brigade. She served there until her transfer to K22 Wandsworth in 1969 where she remained on operational service until her retirement to the reserve fleet in mid 1981 ( subject to final ratification).
After this she was used as a spare appliance and finally as a training vehicle for new operators at the then Training Centre at Southwark.
240FLM was finally sold off in late 1981 or early 1982 via a car dealership in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
On Duty: 1965 - 1981
This image of 240FLM must have been captured very early on and probably just prior to her being delivered to B29. The clue is in the position of the "lowering by line" cleat & pulley wheel" which can be seen on the centre front of the turntable, This position was later changed to a position on the offside of the turntable to make the task of lowering by line more practical and easier to manage.
The personnel who were doing the lowering could keep the line straight and move around the foot of the ladder following the position of the head. Additionally, the monitor and brackets are not yet in position.
The personnel who were doing the lowering could keep the line straight and move around the foot of the ladder following the position of the head. Additionally, the monitor and brackets are not yet in position.
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These 3 images ( above) from early in her career place 240FLM at B29 New Cross, one of the riders in these images, Martin " Topper" Brown recalls, They were taken in June/July 1965. I am 1st on the left in the left hand image. New Cross was my first station after leaving the training school at Southwark and I was 18 then and I used to ride TL 240 FLM in my early years, it is now bringing back lots of memories..
On Parade!
These 4 images (above), carefully captured and loaned to us by group member, Vaughan Turney, places 240FLM ( B29 New Cross) in the yard at Brigade HQ, Lambeth on one of the popular but no longer presented " Annual Brigade Reviews". Probably circa 1966/67. 240FLM is accompanied on her right (TL25- 242FLM stationed at B24 Dockhead) and left by sister appliances from the 1964 fleet. A close look at the operator suggests it is in fact our own group Chairman, Peter Russell, who remembers taking part in at least 2 of these reviews and operating the appliance.
below, 240FLM seen from another angle ( middle appliance on the right as viewed) participates in what we believe is the 1966 Annual display at Brigade HQ in Lambeth. Also seen to be present is 237FLM on the front left of the picture.
below, 240FLM seen from another angle ( middle appliance on the right as viewed) participates in what we believe is the 1966 Annual display at Brigade HQ in Lambeth. Also seen to be present is 237FLM on the front left of the picture.
Above,240FLM wearing her B29 plate can be seen in the yard at Southwark TC.
She may have gone there for the day for familiarisation or as a loan vehicle for the day if the training school appliance went "Off the run".
She may have gone there for the day for familiarisation or as a loan vehicle for the day if the training school appliance went "Off the run".
The saddest duty call for an appliance. Historically, Turntable Ladders had been used as hearses at the funeral of fallen firemen. In this case 240FLM was honoured to carry the late Paul Carvosso from Cannon Street Fire Station who fell, along with 4 colleagues, at the explosion and fire at the Dudgeons Wharf, Isle of Dogs, incident in July 1969. A procession of 5 Turntable Ladders made its way through East London watched by thousands who lined the streets to pay their last respects.
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1976 and 240FLM seen here on the right, at work as a water tower wearing her K22 badge at the Chelsea womens hospital fire in Dove Street. Chelsea.
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And at the same incident, 240FLM hidden behind (right) - the most popular vehicle at any major fire:
The Salvation Army canteen van. |
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The Chelsea women's hospital fire of 1976.
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The view that any TL rider will be familiar with. looking down from the footplate onto the cab roof at a reasonable extension. In this case the top of the appliance whilst based at K22 Wandsworth.
This image is courtesy of Phil Scott. |
240FLM seen here being used as a "Staircase" whilst on the run late in her life as a spare at a 6 pump fire in Granville road. Tottenham. N22, in 1981.
Image courtesy & copyright - Paul Wood. |
Seen here in the background at the Southwark Training centre, Borough. SE1. 240FLM sits in the centre of this posed image, which includes the former C.O Peter Darby , this must have been taken between 1976-1980 and suggests it is the latter date when she was at TC Southwark as a training vehicle.
One of the many jobs attended by 240FLM. On the 5th May 1980, 240FLM was en route to standby at A28 Kensington during the height of the Iranian Embassy siege, It was during that journey that the SAS stormed the building which resulted in a major fire breaking out. John Cox was the driver of K223 the callsign for 240FLM and remembers clearly that they were ordered by radio to proceed directly to the fire and it is believed this is her just getting to work at the front of the building once they had been given the all clear that there were no explosive devices still inside.
Retirement: 1981 onwards
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Little is known about her during the years after retirement from the LFB, but we do know that Allan Lloyd used it for tree work and high building jobs over a number of years.
It can be seen here in that role with Roy Finch, they are lopping a Beech tree in Malvern in Worcestershire. Picture from "Men, Mud and Machines: More Achievements in Round Timber Haulage", Maurice H Saunders |
This image ( apologies for the quality) places 240FLM on Madiera Drive, Brighton at the 1994 Historic Vehicle London To Brighton run. Captured by Vaughan Turney, it shows the appliance still with its non standard, 2nd Francis searchlight on the offside rear cab roof. This we think was added by Allan Lloyd for his tree surgery work. The driver is unidentified but the tree surgery advertising has been removed and the vehicle resprayed back to red.
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© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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