Find Ancestors

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Quick Search

Single word search

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

Auxiliary Fire Service - Coventry 1940

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Dea

Dea Report 8 Dec 2017 10:46

Thank you all for your suggestions - there has been some very intresting information uncovered here.

I will follow up on all these leads and see if I can find any mention of him.

Many thanks all,

Dea x

AustinQ

AustinQ Report 7 Dec 2017 17:54

Searching the 1939 register just using AFS in occupation box and Warwickshire in the Place keywords section brings up quite a few names in Coventry, Birmingham and Solihull.

Gerald

Gerald Report 7 Dec 2017 17:43

Hi Dea,

If this helps and live in Coventry go to St Marys Guild Hall you will find a plack on the stairs by the restaurant with a list of the fire officers lost.

My grandmothers cousin Sidney Henry Bunting b1878 killed 1941 he was a fireman at the Alvis works.

Regards Gerald

AustinQ

AustinQ Report 7 Dec 2017 17:37

"In 1941, on the first anniversary of the bombing, the Friends of Coventry Cathedral presented the brass Crypt Fire Nozzle, to Solihull AFS in recognition of the bravery of their volunteer fireguards who fought, in vain, to save the Cathedral.
Engraved on the nozzle are the names of those who attended the fire from the AFS, alongside the names of those from the Cathedral who worked with them.
It was presented to the AFS, as they were the first firemen to arrive after the telephone call to say that the Cathedral was on fire, as a result of incendiary bombs penetrating the roof. The Coventry City Fire Brigade was fully occupied elsewhere in the City...

...The Friends [of Coventry Cathedral] are already aware of the identities of three of the people mentioned

the Rev R A Edwards was the Precentor,
the Rev R. Howard was the Provost
J Forbes was the Cathedral Stonemason ,who first erected the cross of charred timber behind the Altar.

They would like help from the public to trace any relatives of the following fireguards
-
Mr WH Eaton,
Mr J Gratwick,
Mr Lane,
Mr White,
Mr Robson,
Mr Lowry,
Mr Harling,
Mr Wells,
Mr Brums
Mr Turner"

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk

According to an article in the Coventry Telegraph 2014, I don't think this is the full list of names on the nozzle.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 7 Dec 2017 17:29

A message on this thread says there are no records for the AFS:

http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/forum/topic6974.html

Andysmum

Andysmum Report 7 Dec 2017 15:46

If you google "coventry blitz auxiliary firemen" there are lots of entries, including photographs.

Dea

Dea Report 7 Dec 2017 14:00

Thanks ArgyllGran.

That looks more like the National Fire Service rather than the Axilliary Fire Service but I will explore further.

Many thanks

Dea x

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 7 Dec 2017 13:54

Possibly some help here ? --

https://tinyurl.com/y933enro

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C519

Dea

Dea Report 7 Dec 2017 13:28

Could someone help on this query please?

I am trying to trace someone who was most likely in the Auxiliary Fire Service at the time of the fire which devastated Coventry Cathedral. (I believe November 14th 1940).

I believe there is some sort of 'Honour Roll' of those involved. Thankfully he did not die in the fire but I believe there is a list of all those who tried to put out the fire?

Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Thanks,

Dea x