- Contributed by听
- A7431347
- People in story:听
- David J Ridley, F.T. Ridley, Joe Ridley, Bill Bannister
- Location of story:听
- Nutley, East Sussex
- Background to story:听
- Civilian Force
- Article ID:听
- A6781340
- Contributed on:听
- 08 November 2005
A.F.S. Fire Tender. From left; Bill Bannister (Acting Leading Fireman), Don Campbell, Charlie Walter, Bill Weller, Albert Wickham, Frank Hill, Charlie Wickham, Frank Ridley (Garage Owner), Joe Ridley and 'mascot' Frank's Dog, Toby.
Nutley village, being on the southern part of the Ashdown Forest was alive with army units during the war. The army used the forest extensively as a training and settlement area. Part of Nutley Garage, which was owned and run by my family, was taken over by the W.D. in 1940 for the purpose of using the petrol storage and pumps for refuelling Army Transport vehicles.
I believe it was early 1940 that the local Auxillary Fire Service was established in the village. The Fordson V8 Pick-up truck, together with a Coventry Climax pump were kept in the covered vehicle storage part. The 'crew' were made up of local villagers including my grandfather and my father (before his enlistment) and was headed by Bill Bannister, who was the Acting Leading Fireman after a short course. Various exercises were held locally and they were soon an able lot.
I remember at one time an unofficial exercise involved getting me down from being stuck up a cherry tree in our garden!
This story was submitted to the People's War website by Helena Noifeld of 大象传媒 Radio Kent and has been added to the website on behalf of David Joseph Ridley with his permission. He fully understands the site's terms and conditions.
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