Themes

Emergency Services

Helston Volunteer or Retained Fire Brigade 10th April 1940

Number	HESFM:2008.10721
Place	Helston Cornwall United Kingdom
Date	10.4.1940
Keywords	Fire Emergency Services Helston People
Photographer	Harkens, H W
Copyright	© Estate of H W Harkens

Helston Volunteer or Retained Fire Brigade dressed in uniform standing on and in front of the Helston Corporation/Helston County Fire Brigade Engine "Flora" on the occasion of the engine's christening at Coronation Park on 10th April 1940. The engine was handed over to Chief Officer Captain J H Pearce. Twelve firemen are wearing helmets and three are in caps. Back row from left: J Walters, W Simmonds, E Polkinghorne, S Wearne, S Downing, J Downing, W Rowe. Front row from left: Clifford Willey, F Thomas, W Pearce, J Pearce, Courtney Willey, W Bassett, J Pascoe and F Miners. Jim Watters was the only fireman who could drive. Miss Helen Mary James, daughter of Alderman J M James and Chairman of the Fire Committee, named the engine Flora at the ceremony. This new Dennis 25 hp engine was purchased together with new equipment for around £1400 in 1940 and was the very latest in firefighting equipment. It replaced the old "Steamer" engine that had been in use since 1910 and was sold in 1954 when the new fire station was built in Trengrouse Way. The engine used to be kept in the town hall and was going to be exported after it's service in Helston but ended up at Falmouth Docks with "Flora" painted out. See also HESFM:2016.12903.