The sunny climes of south London was the destination for 240FLM  on Saturday 7th October to attend the annual open day and festivities at H26 Addington.
Wonderful weather and the enthusiastic local visitors ensured a good day was had by all.
On show was one of the Brigade 32metre Turntable Ladders, ambulances, police vehicles and other fun entertainments.

Images courtesy of Dave Porter and the LFB. No reproduction is permitted without permissions. Copyright laws are applicable.

The group were proud to have been invited to undertake the carriage of London Firefighter Danny Hunt O'Brien on his final “shout” on the 19th February 2023 to the City of London Crematorium and Cemetery. London E12
Firefighter Hunt had been attached to F22 Poplar Green Watch since he joined the Brigade in 2018. Several stations attended with their appliances and the Command senior officers were also in attendance to participate in the deserved honour guard for a very popular colleague.
The funeral was supported by dozens of family and friends and 240FLM was able to utilise their newly hand built coffin transport deck which had just recently been completed by group members and close friends.



You are respectfully reminded that the images used to illustrate this article are copyright protected to the photographers: Paul Wing and Dave Porter and no unauthorised reproduction is permitted.

With her crew smartly dressed for the day, 240 FLM wound her way down to sunny Saffron Walden in Essex to collect the groom, Serving London Firefighter, Sub Officer Charlie Hasler and deliver him safely into the arms of his beautiful bride, Loren. 

Quendon Hall in Essex was their venue for their special day and beautiful weather was on tap to compliment the event

Charlie is currently an operational Sub Officer at Hillingdon fire station and there were several other firefighters attending who knew some of our crew so some reminiscing took place!

As ever, you are courteously reminded that images used to illustrate these articles are strictly copyright protected to the individual photographers and no unauthorised reproduction is permitted. 

On the 10th of September 240FLM went to the relatively local Lambourn car show in aid of local charities to line up alongside several very well restored American and English cars and motorbikes. A very hot day was enjoyed by everyone and made for some interesting conversations.


Images are not for reproduction and copyright protected to the individual photographers.

240 FLM made the short journey round the M25 to make  her first appearance at this well-known annual event in Enfield. Middlesex on Saturday & Sunday 27th/28th May.
Although primarily a car or lorry event, our appliance was welcomed into the venue and sat alongside a couple of other beautifully restored fire appliances so wasn’t completely alone!
Camping was the order of the weekend so it was a great relief to have fine and sunny weather on both days.
On Sunday, the crew were able to use the event tannoy system to publicly escribe the process we have gone through and a brief overview of the history of 240FLM and finally take part in the grand parade.
The weekend saw lots of ex or retired firefighters wander over for a chat and a general “swinging of the lamp” was a feature of the whole weekend.
As ever, all the images used here are copyright the individual photographers, Paul Wood, Dave Porter, pete Cowland and Paul Wing and no reproduction is permitted without their permissions.

On Saturday 13th May, 240FLM and her crew made the journey from F38 Romford around the capital to attend the gathering of retired firemen at  G30 Wembley Fire Station, located on the Harrow Road. Wembley. Middx.
On duty, the Blue watch had followed in the footsteps of other stations and provided an opportunity for members of the London Fire Brigade, Retired Members Association (RMA) for G & D Divisions to get together and reminisce about their service.
The station had kindly laid on the traditional fare of Cheese and Onion rolls and sandwiches which were eagerly consumed followed by copious amounts of tea and coffee.
Also in attendance was the beautifully preserved and fully kitted 1954 AEC Merryweather Emergency Tender (OXT779) and so together with 240FLM, they presented a lovely sight in the yard for the duty watch to have a look around. The on duty watch also kindly introduced the retirees to todays appliances, equipment, methods and routines and it has to be said, it is so fundamentally different to when the visitors last rode to a fire.
For us, the opportunity was also taken to restow the Hook Ladder onto its mountings on the side of the main ladder following its complete restoration by group member, Graham Pearce. So 240FLM now has its complete appearance once again.
A lovely day where 28 former G Divison members could get together and just “swing the lamp” after many years apart and our thanks go to the LFB G Division management and the Blue Watch at G30 Wembley for a fascinating and enjoyable few hours.

As ever,  images are copyright and contributed by Dave Porter & Paul Wing. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted.

On the 4th April 2023, 240FLM and her crew were proud to have been tasked to carry the late, Fireman Peter Bailes on his last shout to the Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham. Bucks.
Peter had spent all his service career in the G Division covering West and North West London and the vast majority of that time was at G28 Willesden Red watch with is last short period of service at the G Division HQ at Wembley.
He had a formidable character and amongst the  lasting memories will be his award for his heroism in 1981 where with others, he rescued a number of trapped persons from the upper floors of the flats at the now demolished, Chalkhill Estate in Wembley using a Hook ladder and subsequently, a Escape ladder.
His and his colleagues actions that day are recorded here:

Fireman Peter Bailes (Willesden) and Fireman Robert Webb (Wembley) were Commended whilst Station Officer Lionel Galleozie and Fireman Michael Walker (Willesden) received Congratulations from the Chief Officer for their actions at the fire at Redcliffe Walk, Chalkhill Estate, Wembley in February. A severe fire was affecting the fifth and sixth floors of a block of flats. Access to the fire was severely hampered by vehicles blocking the way and sloping and muddy grassed areas. Station Officer Galleozie and his crew together with Wembley’s TL and crew went to the rear of the flats and saw a number of people, cut off by fire, screaming for help from their flats' balconies. With an escape pitched Fireman Bailes carried down one woman before assisting down the second. The fire was getting much worse the Station Officer ordered another escape pitched to the fourth floor and a hook ladder pitched to the fifth floor. Meanwhile the first escape had been re-pitched to another fourth floor balcony and Fireman Webb took a hook ladder to climb to the fifth, reassuring people as he went. Now assisted by Fireman Bailes they passed three children and two adults out from the fourth floor to other fireman on the escape. One person made his own way down. The escape was pitch for the third time and Firemen's Bailes and Webb went aloft carrying a lowering line. Fireman Bailes grabbed a hook ladder on the way up and pitched it from the head of the escape and climbed to the top floor. He and Fireman Webb lowered a woman and child to safety. With fire now affecting the balconies Webb and Bailes came down the hook ladder again to the fifth floor. In the mean time Fireman Walker had climbed the escape to the fourth floor and hook ladder to the fifth where he found a family trapped by fire. Station Officer Galleozie had followed him to the fourth floor was now sat astride the fourth floor balcony parapet. With the father placing one of his children on Fireman Walker's back he went down the hook ladder where the child was taken by Station Officer Galleozie. The operation was repeated for the second child before the wife was assisted down followed by the father.
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Peter left an imprint on everyone he met and our condolences go out to his family and friends.

240FLM had been requested to attend the  funeral of our former colleague, Andy Poole near Sevenoaks in Kent on the 14th February 2023.
En route to the event, our TL had a good run down to Kent but about a mile before the agreed  meeting place with the Funeral Directors, a problem with the clutch began to manifest itself. After a while, it seemed to clear so the crew continued their journey, however, less than 5 minutes later, the entire clutch system failed thus preventing 240FLM completing its journey.
After some discussion, it was decided to attempt to get the appliance to its agreed meeting point not far from the family home, and after a quick chat amongst the crew, a guard of honour was created ready for the courtege to drive past. This was warmly appreciated by the family and friends present.
So despite us not being able to formally accompany  Andy on his last journey, we were at least able to give him a formal and moving send off on his last shout.

On the 7th February, 240FLM accompanied the late and well respected former London Salvage Corps Superintendant, Ron Plumer from his  home in Billericay, Essex to the nearby crematorium in Pilgrims Hatch, for the service. Ron had, in his early years, served in the LFB at (C40) K22 Wandsworth fire station before transferring into the LSC so it was fitting that K22 Station I.D plates had been fitted.

Adjacent to the Crematoruium, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Billericay fire station, gave permission for us to wait in their yard during the service and then subsequently, 240FLM travelled the short distance for the following gathering of family and friends at a nearby venue.

As ever, any images used here to illustrate these events are copyright to the group photogrpahers present. Dave Porter & Pete Cowland.

 On the 15th January this year, (J28-36) Southgate fire station in North London was the scene for a gathering of current and retired LFB members. The day, officially classified as a " Cheese and Onion " day came as a result of a similar event that we attended in South East London at Sidcup fire station where a plan was hatched to contact as many retired LFB members as possible and invite them along to meet, greet and generally catch up with the Brigade members, working methods, equipment and a general " lamp swing" who fill the ranks of the LFB today.

A wonderful turnout of retired members, complemented by 240FLM and a full crew and then A333 ( J253) Tottenham new Metz TL arrived to set up a perfect comparison event.  Plenty of stories were shared and jobs relived, new friends made and old ones found.
A great event which we hope will be replicated across the Brigade and which we will always try to support.

Our thanks go to FF Darren Shirley at Southgate for the excellent organising and the station staff and Group Officers for their support.


All images copyright to the group members capturing them. many thanks.

The group were privileged and proud to have been asked to carry david on his last shout at Medway in Kent on the 13th January this year. A bright, fine crisp winter day was perfect for this sad event which was attended by family and old friends.

At the grand age of 99, members of the 240FLM Preservation Group carried Eric, or Ernie as he was always fondly known, on his last shout. It was a very personal and moving day for several of the group members attending as they had known or worked alongside “Ernie” as he moved through his career in the Brigade.
A41-(G25 as it was then known) West Hampstead was well represented as Ernie had spent many years there as Sub Officer on the Blue watch and some of his former colleagues from that watch, and the Red and White Watches were on hand to assist with the carrying of Ernie into the chapel of rest.
A quiet gentle family man with an honourable and brave history of service during World War 2 in the Merchant Navy was remembered, and, the revelation that he had been torpedoed twice and spent 7 days adrift in an open boat underpins how little we often know about our peers and the importance of talking and sharing our history.
 
Farewell “Ernie”, it was a pleasure.

You are politely reminded that any and all images used on this site are subject to UK copyright laws and no unathorised copying, reproduction or use is permitted without the express permission of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group or applicable photographers.

Imnages below: Pete Weight 

On a bitterly cold, bright and sad day, 240FLM made its way to the snow covered South Essex crematorium in Upminster to carry the late and former colleague, John reynolds, on his final shout.
John was a  very well liked and respected former LFB Divisional Officer and on the day the ceremony  was well attended by many former colleagues and family.

You are respectfully reminded that all the images used here are subject to standard UK copyright laws and no copying or reproduction should take place
without the express permission of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group and individual photographers. Dave Porter, Steve Houston & Paul Wing.

On the 6th December, 240FLM travelled to the far South East of London to attend a unique, but hopefully not the last, event of its kind at Sidcup Fire Station.
The event, organised as a result of a recent incident attended by that station where an elderly retired London Fireman expressed his loneliness and how he wished he could meet other likeminded people with the same background, was an initial attempt to re- establish old bonds and create new friendships. It is hoped this type of event will create an avenue through which retirees can avoid the loneliness sometimes experienced after retirement.
A wonderful day which was well attended and the hospitality of the station staff was fantastic with an abundant spread of the traditional fare fire firemen/firefighters of cheese and onion sandwiches ( or rolls!), cakes and plenty of tea in white mugs.
240FLM was on display alongside its modern Metz counterpart and much interest was shown in our restoration, this in turn created many a discussion between the retired attendees about who did what and all those incidents attended over so many years.
 
A superb day and hosted with great dignity and care by all those involved.

You are respectfully reminded that all the images used here are subject to standard UK copyright laws and no copying or reproduction should take place without the express permission of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group and individual photographers.
Dave Porter & Paul Wing 
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​Following recent communications between our group and the organising team at the Essex Fire Museum located a Grays Fire Station, an invitation was given to us to take 240FLM down there for a visit. The visit, designed to strengthen our bonds and discuss all things Fire Brigade, was a real success with their own AEC Merryweather “County Cab” TL on display. Later that morning, one of the Essex FB ALP appliances attended and the huge difference in size became very apparent with both the vintage TL’s being dwarfed by it.
 
In the last couple of years, the Essex Museum and ourselves have co-operated with offering a shared Funeral service to families when either of our appliances is off the run or otherwise unavailable so this formal visit has really created that link between us going forward.
 
A thoroughly enjoyable visit and the tea and cakes were very much appreciated and the team that manage and run the Museum should be rightly proud of what they have achieved as it is packed with a wonderful display of historic appliances, equipment, uniforms and ephemera.
 
We look forward to returning again in 2023.

You are respectfully reminded that all the images used here are subject to standard UK copyright laws and no copying or reproduction should take place without the express permission of the 240FLM TL Preservation Group and individual photographers.
Dave Porter & Paul Wing. 

​On Tuesday 22nd November 2022, 240FLM undertook its first duty in Hertfordshire when we were privileged to be able to accompany former LFB Senior Divisional Officer, Cliff Lewis on his final shout.
Cliff was a very well liked and respected “old school” officer who had learned his craft early on in the old B Division covering South Central and South East London in the days of paraffin heaters and horse hair mattress fires, then developing his skills and craft as a Sub Officer at C21 Shoreditch in the heart of the East End before moving through the ranks in the J Division covering North London predominantly.
He would have known 240FLM during his service and would almost certainly have stood by at B29 new Cross whilst the TL was stationed there so once again, a wonderful opportunity for a reunion in history.

As ever, you are respectfully reminded that any images used here are copyright to the providers, Steve Houston & Trevor Barnwell.