Hoses Gallery

AFS volunteers undergoing hose drill, WW2

The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was created in 1938 to supplement the regular London Fire Brigade. Some 21, 000 volunteer firefighters would be recruited, all of whom had to undergo 60 hours of basic training. Here AFS firemen are undergoing hose drill, running out the hose and connecting it with a special spanner which he carried on his belt along with his axe. Firefighters were expected to complete this task both in daylight and in the dark

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library