Brigades Collection

WW2 Poster -- Formation Signs
Formation signs, dated 8 May 1945. Chromolithograph poster, showing various formation signs of infantry and armoured divisions, brigades, groups, including Airborne TPS, GHQ Liaison Regiment

London Fire Engine Establishment, list of fire stations
Formed in 1833, the LFEE took over firefighting in London from the various Insurance Company fire brigades. It had 19 fire stations and its headquarters was located at Watling Street, City of London

Finchleys Zwicky Fire Engine
Finchleys engine - a " Zwicky" built in Tottenhams council works around 1907 by Jean Zwicky who also designed it

NFS London Region control room and officers, WW2
With the Fire Service nationalised in 1941 the London Fire Brigade was combined with its surrounding Fire Brigades to form the London Region of the NFS

Eyre Massey Shaw / 1890
Sir EYRE MASSEY SHAW Leader of fire brigades and author on the techniques and technicalities of fighting fires

Breeches-Buoy used to save the crew of Esras, East Runton
Illustration showing a Breeches-Buoy in use, to save the crew of the Norwegian ship Esras, East Runton, Norfolk, 1901. Esras had run aground on the Hasboro sands

Spanish Civil War. International Brigades. War songs. Madrid, 1937-1938. Drawing

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Farewell of the International Brigades in Barcelona (15th October 1938). From left to right

Spanish Civil War Members Of The International
spanish, civil, war, members, of, the, international, brigades, at, front, teruel, photo, by, l, torrent, spain, salamanca, archivo, historico, nacional, horizontal, black, and, white, b, w, outdoor

Spanish Civil War. International Brigades. Arrival to Barcelona of the American volunteers to fight with the international column. SPAIN. Salamanca. Archivo Historico Nacional

The last eleven at Maiwand. Date: 27 July 1880

SPAIN. CIVIL WAR. THE
Spain. Civil War. International Brigades. Farewell march in Barcelona (October 1938). Photography

WW1 - The Naval Division on their way to Antwerp - 1914. The Division consisted of one marine and two naval brigades - a total of 10, 500 men. 1914

Combat in Rio Grand do Sul 1865
A division of Paraguayan forces and two brigades of Brazilian troops engage in Rio Grande do Sul. Date: 26 June 1865

Panoramic View of the Great Battle of the Spanish-American War, the General Assault on Santiago de Cuba on 1 July
1063685 Panoramic View of the Great Battle of the Spanish-American War, the General Assault on Santiago de Cuba on 1 July (engraving) by English School

Typical Victorian manual parish fire pump
A typical Victorian manual parish fire pump of the type used in London by the Insurance fire brigades prior to the creation of the London Fire Engine Establishment under its Chief Fire Officer

The Advance towards Dongola, the Battle of Ferket, the 3rd Brigade, under Major Maxwell
1605605 The Advance towards Dongola, the Battle of Ferket, the 3rd Brigade, under Major Maxwell, firing on the Village as the Three Brigades converged upon the River-Side Position where the Dervishes

With the lip of the Chiefs, the Motherland kisses its heroes (colour litho)
2808605 With the lip of the Chiefs, the Motherland kisses its heroes (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: With the lip of the Chiefs)

The Grand Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain (b / w photo)
1063694 The Grand Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Grand Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain)

Captain Eyre Massey Shaw (1828 - 1908) Leader of fire brigades, author on the techniques and technicalities of fighting fires Date: 1871

Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire medal
Firefighters from the insurance brigades and the London Fire Engine Establishment would put out the fires but did not provide much in the way of helping people to escape

One of 25 maps from a leather case presented to Gen Richard Vyse who commanded the King?s Dragoon Guards and the Cavalry Brigades at the Battle of Beaumont

A London Fire brigade wheeled ladder escape vehicle
Outside the London County Council boundary, Penge, to the south of London, was one of many fire brigades which had just one fire station covering its geographical area

Greater London Council (GLC)-LFB Press Conference
The Leader of the GLC (standing), Paddy Henry, Chairman of the GLCs Fire Brigades Committee (to his left) and Joe Milner, Chief Officer of the LFB (far right)

London Fire Engine Establishment fireman in uniform
Formed in 1833, the LFEE was Londons first properly organised fire brigade, having taken over from the various Insurance Company fire brigades around the capital

Naval Division in Great War Deeds, WW1
The Royal Marine and Naval Brigades (Naval Division) of the British Royal Navy being guided by Colonel Seely in a car, leaving Antwerp after their gallant defence

WW1 - Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Gallipolli
WW1 - The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that was formed in Egypt in 1915

Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew
A Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew, taking part in a special drill display given to chief officers of provincial fire brigades on 13 October 1937

Horse-drawn fire vehicle and crew in display
A horse-drawn fire vehicle and crew in traditional dress, taking part in a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades. Date: 1937

Firefighters operating old pump at special drill display
Firefighters operating an old pump at a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades. Date: 1937

Old pump at special drill display
Men bringing out an old pump for a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades. Date: 1937

Hinged brass tobacco tin - East Yorkshire Regiment
A small hinged brass tobacco tin engraved on reverse - (2856 Private) Arthur C. Stephenson and dated 1918. Together with an engraved badge of the East Yorkshire Regiment with the place names of

Source Size = 3774 x 2947
VIEW OF THE TOWN AND HARBOUR OF BALAKLAVA: The Battles round Balaclava were caused by the attempt of General Liprandia to cut the Allies off from their base at the harbour of Balaclave

Storming of Bristol, engraved by J. C. Varrall 1844 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF270098 Storming of Bristol, engraved by J.C. Varrall 1844 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Cattermole, George (1800-68) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Knightsbridge Barracks, London - designed by Thomas Henry Wyatt in the 1880s - replaced by new buildings by Sir Basil Spence in 1970. Date: circa 1910s

Komsomolsk-on-amur: komsomol volunteer brigades during the construction of ship yard in 1933

Horse-drawn fire vehicle and crew in display
A horse-drawn fire vehicle and crew in traditional dress, taking part in a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades

International Fire Brigades Tournament Programme
International Fire Brigades Tournament and Exhibition programme for 21 to 27 June 1896 at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London

Firefighters operating old pump at special drill display
Firefighters operating an old pump at a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades

LFB Telephone Switchboard - Lambeth HQ, SE1

Old pump at special drill display
Men bringing out an old pump for a special drill display given on 13 October 1937 to Chief Officers of provincial fire brigades

Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew
A Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew, taking part in a special drill display given to chief officers of provincial fire brigades on 13 October 1937

SPAIN. Barcelona. Guerra Civil Espa񯬡(1936-1939)
SPAIN. Barcelona. Guerra Civil Espa񯬡 (1936-1939). Farewell party to the International Brigades (Barcelona, 1938). SPAIN. Salamanca. Archivo Hist󲩣 o Nacional

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Mixt brigades. Drawing by Carlos S᥮ z de Tejada. Drawing

International Fire Brigades Tournament Programme
International Fire Brigades Tournament and Exhibition programme for 21 to 27 June 1896 at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London

LCC-LFB Commercial building fire, Avery Hardoll, Eltham
LFB firefighters in action at a commercial building fire at Avery Hardoll, Eltham, SE London. The fire started in a former shop and dwelling which had been converted into a commercial undertaking

Royal Arsenal Fire Brigades pump engine (PE)

Montage of images of parish fire pumps
Four examples of manual parish fire pumps. The top image is typical of the manual pump used in London by the Insurance fire brigades prior to the creation of the London Fire Engine Establishment

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"Brigades: Uniting Heroes and Defending Lives" From the establishment of the London Fire Engine Establishment to the iconic Finchleys Zwicky Fire Engine, they have played a pivotal role in safeguarding communities. The NFS London Region control room and officers during World War II exemplify their unwavering dedication amidst chaos. During WWII, formation signs on posters served as symbols of unity and strength for brigades. Eyre Massey Shaw's leadership in 1890 laid the foundation for modern firefighting techniques that continue to save lives today. In times of maritime emergencies like Esras at East Runton, brave firefighters utilized the Breeches-Buoy technique to rescue stranded crews. This selfless act epitomizes the valor that defines these heroic individuals. Beyond borders, brigades ventured into foreign conflicts such as the Spanish Civil War. Members of International Brigades fought side by side with locals against tyranny, leaving an indelible mark on history. Farewells were bittersweet as they bid adieu to comrades who embarked on this noble mission. The arrival of International Brigades in Spain marked a turning point in their fight for justice and freedom. Their presence bolstered morale while challenging oppressive forces head-on. Reflecting back further in time, we remember "The last eleven at Maiwand" – a testament to bravery dating back to July 27th, 1880. These fallen heroes remind us of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. Whether it be battling infernos or standing up against injustice, brigades embody courage and resilience across generations, and are our everyday heroes who selflessly put themselves on the line for our safety and well-being.