Auxiliary Fire Service in Walton on Thames

From the collection of

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton collects, preserves, catalogues and provides public access to its collection of films and magic lantern slides. The collection charts the rise of screen culture in the region and the nation and captures many aspects of life, work and creativity in the South East from the late 19th century to the present day. It is available for research, screenings, creative re-use and commercial access.

Auxiliary Fire Service in Walton on Thames

Screen Archive South East at the University of Brighton
Walton-on-Thames
1940-01-01
Silent
5m

Woking's AFS demonstrates its fire-fighting skills in a colourful competition held in 1940 followed by slumbering firemen leaping into action when duty calls.

This amazing colour film from 1940 shows Woking's Auxillary Fire Service compete with other teams in an annual competition held in Walton-on-Thames. Combining dexterity with teamwork they race to set up their hose first. Then we go to Horsell near Woking, where sleepy firemen are roused to action when the tocsin sounds. After drawing water from the nearby Basingstoke Canal, the AFS men pose beside the filmmaker's Bugatti – now modified for use as a fire engine.

Eric Giles belonged to a family that owned a coach building business in Walton-on-Thames. A longtime member, and later president, of the Bugatti Owners Club, he owned a 1930 Bugatti Type 46, which he adapted into a tow-vehicle for an Auxiliary Fire Service pump during the war. The Bugatti was one of Giles' contributions to his service with the A.F.S. However, much of the work of the A.F.S. was hampered by the incompatibility of much of its equipment, particularly non-standard hydrant valves, which didn't match those of other brigades. In August 1941, the A.F.S. was superseded by the National Fire Service and Eric Giles eventually reached the rank of Senior Company Officer.

Life Under Fire

The horror of Luftwaffe bombs coloured daily life in Britain's cities and beyond, and war brought myriad daily hardships besides. But Britain could take it!

The Blitz receded after May 1941, but even after the Battle of Britain, the nation faced a barrage of incendiary bombs, V-1s and V-2s. While young men fought Axis powers across three continents, their families listened anxiously to the wireless, while many worried too about children far from home. But in the face of the destruction, sirens, blackouts and hours in shelters, the now-legendary 'Blitz spirit' kept despair at bay. Britain held her nerve thanks to mutual support, defiance and wit - plus a good grumble and as many cups of tea as rationing allowed.