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Eric Billingham.
In June 2018, I was the committee member responsible for trying to gather, scrounge, buy or beg all the items we needed to fit out 240FLM as she would have been the day she was posted to K22 Wandsworth in 1965. As that situation became public knowledge, I received an unexpected email from a retired LFB fireman.
That fireman was Eric Billingham. Not a name that I heard of, however, that mail turned out to be the start of a wonderful but sadly too short a friendship. Interestingly though, many of you in our group may well have unknowingly seen him in the background in the long running TV series, London’s Burning as Eric was heavily involved in the supply of appliances for the various scenes and would often don his uniform to participate in the filming, especially if it involved Turntable ladders!
Recently, I heard the news that Eric had passed away at his home in Northumberland, a place he and his lovely wife Pat, and their greyhounds, had moved to in February 2022 to be closer to their children.
Following the original email from Eric, we met in person at a Fire Service memorabilia sales day near Luton and that set off a chain of events that I could never have imagined. At that first meeting, Eric handed me a box and stated “these might just be of use to you in your quest to rebuild 240FLM”.
Occasionally, we all hear understatements, however, those words proved to be one heck of an understatement as in that box were some of the original fittings from 240FLM, items that had been removed during one of the many upgrades to the appliance during its lifetime of service. The reason I knew they were the actual fittings from THAT vehicle was because when I came to fit them on to 240FLM, all the myriad of screw holes lined up perfectly and, given that very little was machine made at the time, and the fact that Eric actually had driven and operated 240FLM at Wandsworth confirmed the provenance. That original box of goodies was just the beginning of a long list of incredibly rare items that he donated to the group and which I doubt we would ever have found in normal hunting.
Over the next 5 year, Eric and I became good friends, I visited him and Pat many times at their home near Spalding in Lincolnshire and never came away without more incredible items for 240 FLM but also, and possibly just as important, first-hand details and history which I have been able to share with you all via our website.
The list of items is far to long to put here, but suffice to say that my task of getting 240FLM back to full original stowage was just made easy by 2 people, neither of whom have ever asked for public acknowledgement, praise or money, those 2 people, Eric Billingham and Mike Heberd are names that this group should always remember as without them, we would not have the appliance that we present today.
I end by just thinking about Erics journey through his career in the LFB. He had been an AFS member at Wandsworth before joining the LFB, he served at Wandsworth amongst other stations in the K and B Divisons before arriving at Brigade HQ Lambeth as the Chief officer’s driver, although Eric would often be asked to drive other Senior Officers should the urgency require. This position at Lambeth meant that he was only a stone’s throw from the Rear Block of the HQ site. This block contained the Brigade workshops, stores, engineering and disposal sections and Eric thus established a semi-permanent home there. He had his own spot where he located a few boxes and asked politely of the stores staff that before anything was thrown out, could it be put in those boxes, or he be saked if he wanted it, this extended to ladders and equipment! The staff obliged and so the story began.
Upstairs at the main HQ building was the Brigade photographic section, Eric also set up a box there and similarly asked that no photos be thrown away if they were suitable for viewing, and again, the staff obliged. This situation resulted in him gathering a vast database of Brigade documents, photographs, fittings and small equipment which duly found its way home.
Eric was also a keen, lifelong member of the Fire Brigade Society and loved vintage cars. On one occasion when I visited him in Peterborough, he invited me to one of his 2 enormous barns to “view and “select “some items that he could not take with him on his move north and resulting downsizing. I stood opened mouth at what I saw and the history of each item was delivered as though it was only yesterday that they had arrived into his care!
Although it was impossible for me to accept any of the larger items, on the next visit, I was led into the next barn and there before me was a complete and perfect set of fleet records of all the LFB appliances since 1911 amongst many incredibly rare items and a huge and perfectly detailed set of photographs, many being those being thrown away from Brigade HQ.
All those items have now found their way into the hands of the next generation of enthusiasts where they will continue to provide an invaluable resource.
As a result of the 2 lots of donations to the group and especially as neither Eric nor Mike would accept any financial rewards for their items, the only option left to us as a group was to provide both with Honourary Associate Memberships into the group. This was duly committee approved and so their names will remain forever associated with us.
In closing this brief but important review, I want to say thank you Eric and Pat for your hospitality and genuine warmth during my visits or whenever we met, everything you gave to the group, and to me in friendship. I didn’t know you long, but it was an absolute privilege and joy.
RIP.
Pete Weight.
240FLM Web Manager
Our late President, Brian William " Bill" Butler: MBE. O St J. QFSM. 1935-2016.
Brian joined the LFB in the mid 1950's, and started his long career in the old " B " Divison at D 60 Clapham. He was to rise briskly through the ranks as he clearly possessed all the attributes of a fine, dedicated officer. Although he did on occasion find himself posted outside of his beloved "B" Division, he always managed to return there.
Bills achievements included the firegound management of the notorious Brixton riots of 1981, a task that later set the benchmark for all Brigade management in this type of incident.
He was a gentleman and an officer, never to be taken lightly and with an astute operational mind that was the envy of many of his peers. He never suffered fools easily and always desired clarity in any conversation about the Brigade accepting no "grey" areas. His service spanned almost 40 years, all in the London Fire Brigade, and that service is remembered with great appreciation and respect, as was the man. A true gentleman never to be forgotton.
Brian joined the LFB in the mid 1950's, and started his long career in the old " B " Divison at D 60 Clapham. He was to rise briskly through the ranks as he clearly possessed all the attributes of a fine, dedicated officer. Although he did on occasion find himself posted outside of his beloved "B" Division, he always managed to return there.
Bills achievements included the firegound management of the notorious Brixton riots of 1981, a task that later set the benchmark for all Brigade management in this type of incident.
He was a gentleman and an officer, never to be taken lightly and with an astute operational mind that was the envy of many of his peers. He never suffered fools easily and always desired clarity in any conversation about the Brigade accepting no "grey" areas. His service spanned almost 40 years, all in the London Fire Brigade, and that service is remembered with great appreciation and respect, as was the man. A true gentleman never to be forgotton.
We are saddened to have to report the loss of our member Michael Herschell, Mick had served at Croydon and Soho during his career. He passed away on 19th October 2019.
Our former Chairman, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm fireman, London Fire Brigade fireman, West Sussex Sub Officer and all round gentleman and founder member of this group sadly passed away on March 12th 2021 after a long illness.
Peter, and his wife Julia, were instrumental in making this restoration project happen and without their incredible generosity of time, facilitating and behind the scenes matters ensured that our efforts were to be successful.
We are sad to report the passing of one of our original founder members, James Geoghegan on November 7th 2021. Jim had served within the A & C Divisions through the 1970,s and early 1980's before arriving at K22 Wandsworth as Sub O. He quickly committed to supporting the idea of purchasing and restoring 240FLM and often turned out to see her whenever it was near his home.
The group were proud to have been able to escort Jim on his final journey on the 25th November at Gloucester. Gloucestershire..
We are again sad to report the passing on another of our founder members, Eric Goldsmith. Eric had served at the old Greenwich and East Greenwich, Lewisham fire stations and latterly at E Division Staff . His family continued to serve with his son David being a Station Officer at L24 ( F38) Romford for many years.
On Friday 18th November 2022, we said farewell to one of our original founder members, Mick Burke.
The group carried Mick on his final shout on the back of 240FLM which was indeed fitting as he had previously served at the old B29 New Cross fire Station, original home of 240FLM, from 1964 to 1969.
Michael joined the brigade in 1963 aged 22 after moving to London from Ireland
where he came to know the appliance well as his service included TL training and operating this very appliance.
farewell Mick and thankyou for your service and support.
The group carried Mick on his final shout on the back of 240FLM which was indeed fitting as he had previously served at the old B29 New Cross fire Station, original home of 240FLM, from 1964 to 1969.
Michael joined the brigade in 1963 aged 22 after moving to London from Ireland
where he came to know the appliance well as his service included TL training and operating this very appliance.
farewell Mick and thankyou for your service and support.
On 21st January 2024, we said farewell to our old colleague and group founder member John Cox.
John joined the London Fire Brigade in March 1967 and, after initial training, was posted to K30 New Malden. 3 years of service followed there before moving to K22 Wandsworth on the White Watch where he remained for over 17 years. During that time, John attended many major incidents, the most notable being the Iranian Embassy Siege in West London during the 5 day period of 30th April to 5th May 1980. John had been driving 240FLM on the 5th May at its home base at Wandsworth when the call came in to move the appliance to A28 Kensington as their appliance had been called onto the developing situation at the Embassy. The SAS had attacked the terrorists holding the hostages and a fire had started. En route to Kensington, 240FLM was diverted to the now raging fire and “got to work” for several hours.
In 1988, following his time at Wandsworth, John transferred to D26 Twickenham red watch where in 1995, he concluded his service within the LFB.
A family man, john had spent a lifetime participating in his favourite hobby of fishing and he remained an enthusiastic LFB retiree for the remainder of his life.
In 2014, 240FLM was purchased by our newly formed group, of which Joh was one of the earliest members and he was finally re acquainted with his old favourite appliance in November 2014 at the very first meeting of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group at Wicken in Cambridgeshire.
In 1988, following his time at Wandsworth, John transferred to D26 Twickenham red watch where in 1995, he concluded his service within the LFB.
A family man, john had spent a lifetime participating in his favourite hobby of fishing and he remained an enthusiastic LFB retiree for the remainder of his life.
In 2014, 240FLM was purchased by our newly formed group, of which Joh was one of the earliest members and he was finally re acquainted with his old favourite appliance in November 2014 at the very first meeting of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group at Wicken in Cambridgeshire.
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