大象传媒

My father Joseph Chesney joined the AFS in 1935. When the war broke out in 1939 he wished to be considered for military service but was told he was to be retained as a fireman. When war broke out in September 1939 he was told to stop any vehicles passing London Road Fire Station, and if they were suitable they were commended to be converted as Fire engines. He was soon posted to Philips Park road fire station which was in fact a commended bakery. During the early period of the war, whilst attending one fire during the night he was told to bring the jerry can of water to be poured in the bucket so a stirrup pump could be used. Unfortunately he couldn't distinguish jerry cans and brought one containing petrol which he poured into the bucket which was then sprayed onto the fire. Afterwards they placed rope around the handles of the cans containing petrol! As well as serving in the Manchester blitz, on one occasion him and his crew dissapeared for over a week, he reappeared having not washed or shaved for a week saying that they had been moved out to Coventy to deal with a blitz there. He also served in the Liverpool blitz and was disscharged in 1945 due to injury to his legs and feet caused by falling masonary.

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