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ISSN 2324-2779 Volume 6 Issue 3 Jun 2015—Aug 2015 Established 2010
NEWSLETTER OF THE AUCKLAND AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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Commemorative issue This issue is dedicated to the Firefighters and members of the other emergency services who served in the First & Second World Wars and all other conflicts. The AFBHS has registered and been approved to use the WW100 logo above for this special issue. Thanks to Grant Manning for the article and photographs on Maadi camp fire brigade and Ric Carlyon for “ANZAC 100 years ago” The New Zealand Ex Firefighter's Assn. Inc. is having a special service at Waikumete Cemetery on Sunday June 21st at 2pm. This is at the Grave of 2nd Lieutenant John Gildroy Grant VC. John was an officer in Hawera VFB, when 100 years ago he enlisted and served at the front in France where his valour was recognised with the Victoria Cross. He was one of more than 1800 firefighters from brigades throughout the land who answered their Country’s call during the First World War. This service is to remember them and firefighters who served in all other conflicts. If AFBHS society members wish to attend this service please let me know ASAP so I can confirm numbers with them. Dress is formal, NZFS personnel: Service uniform with medals & caps. (If wet will be held at Glen Eden RSA) Colin membership@afbhs.co.nz
Management Superintendent: David Neil Dep. Superintendent: (NZFS Liaison) Denis O’Donoghue Secretary/Editor: Colin Prince Treasurer: Kevin Farley Committee Graeme Booth Peter (Sprats) Doughty Grant Manning Forbes Neil John (High-rise) Walker Gary (GT) Walker Web Master Brendon Pascoe NZFS Ex Officio Member: Fire Region Manager Kerry Gregory Correspondence To: Auckland Fire Brigade Historical Society P.O Box 68-444 Newton, Auckland 1145, NZ membership@afbhs.co.nz Website: www.afbhs.co.nz Like us on Facebook Membership fees: Full: $15.00 Associate: $10.00 (overseas) Brigade/Corporate: $50.00 Membership year: 1 April—31 March Membership Fire Museum Network– USA NZ History Federation Inc. MOTAT Society—Affiliate UFBA—Associate member NZ Ex Firefighters Assn—Affiliate Registered Charity number: CC45510
Mob: 021 223 5419 1
Original Fire Crew at Maadi Camp, Egypt Left to right: E Ander WO1, H Manning Sgt, W Love, G Cockerell, R Spender, B Wisnesky, K Key, J Wilson, L Potter
New Zealand Maadi Camp Fire Brigade, Egypt Airmail feature NZ MAADI CAMP FIRE BRIGADE. "Fire in ------- lines," says a telephonic voice heard by the central exchange operator and in as many seconds as it takes to repeat the message alarm bells are ringing in the New Zealand Maadi Camp fire station. The brigade dashes into action and in less than a minute fire—fighting machines are on their way to the unit area concerned. Maadi Camp possesses an efficient fire-fighting unit and, although calls on its service are infrequent, its establishment became necessary as the area developed from tented barracks into a modern camp town where there are now over 1300 permanent buildings for which fire protection is essential. In the days when the maintaining of fire buckets to a certain level with sand and water was the bugbear of all troops, firefighting in the camp was mainly the responsibility of fire picquets appointed by the various units, but in August, 1941, a brigade was formed and became on call for 24 hours a day. It was the first fully established military fire brigade in the Middle East. At first modern equipment fitted to army vehicles was used by the brigade, members of which were experienced firemen before the war, and two machines each had 500-gallon a minute pump trailers attached, similar to those used by city brigades. In addition, two 30-gallon soda-acid extinguishers and similar smaller contrivances were carried on the machines. Hoses were carried in special lockers fitted by the men themselves to suit requirements. Later an additional unit was procured in the form of an up to-date fire engine carrying all modern equipment and fitted with a 500-gallon pump. The present-day strength of the brigade is two senior n.c.o's, one corporal and 12 firemen. The original firemaster was WO 1 E.A. Ander, who is now back in New Zealand as third officer of the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Brigade. WO 1 H.S. Manning is the present firemaster and along with Sgt. E.N. Bisset joined the brigade when it was formed. W O Manning gained his fire-fighting experience with the Auckland Central Fire Brigade and Sgt. Bisset was with the Auckland Metropolitan and Eltham brigades. Other firemen have seen service at Wanganui, Gisborne, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha, Christchurch, Oamaru, Mt. Roskill and Avondale. The large modern brick fire station which now houses the whole of the brigade is a welcome change from the days when there was no suitable quarters and the machines and equipment were parked in the open. The visitor is immediately impressed by the neatness and layout of the interior, the shiny red motors and the highly polished surface to even the smallest section of brass. There is every appearance of efficiency. The station is fitted with excellent sleeping quarters, recreation room, radio, table tennis equipment and a well stocked library. The daily log, or occurrence book to use the correct brigade term, reveals that in just over two 2
years 123 calls have been answered, and without the speed and efficiency with which the brigade has worked many outbreaks might have developed into serious fires. On one occasion it was summoned to a fire in a quarter masters store in an engineering units lines and while the men were endeavouring to quell the flames at close quarters they were informed that the store contained cases of high explosives that had been placed there by mistake only that evening. Undeterred, the firemen continued to fight the blaze and managed to get it under control. The boxes were badly charred but the flames had not reached the explosives, neither was there sufficient heat to cause detonation. Although many weeks pass without a call for service a regular training syllabus is adhered to and physical fitness, as well as fire drill, plays an important part. Every man is trained for each branch of the unit so that he may be called upon to fill any gap when necessary. Fire prevention for the whole of the camp is another part of the brigades responsibility and a regular inspection of all extinguishers and electrical installations is made. The whole of Digla and Tura areas are now under the fire protection of the Maadi Camp brigade, but so far there has been little call on its duty. (Sgt A.B Crawford - Official News Service)
(Photos, article and poem courtesy Manning collection. Email: grunta@ihug.co.nz) Maadi Camp, 14km south of Cairo, was laid out in 1940 for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Freyberg, a World War I Victoria Cross winner, selected the site and engineers laid seal, 10kms of water mains and 6kms of drain.
Wikipedia: During the period between 1940 and 1946, Maadi had an important role in the Military history of New Zealand during World War II; around 76,000 members of the First Echelon, 2 NZEF (Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force) main body trained at a camp near Maadi at the base of the desert slopes of Wadi Degla and Tel al-Maadi. During that time this area belonged to the Delta Land Company which created Maadi in 1907. The rocky plateau was leased to the New Zealand Forces, and for the next six years became New Zealand's main overseas base.
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BOYS OF THE MAADI CAMP FIRE UNIT The following poem, has been received by a Te Awamutu resident: From Auckland to Dunedin we’s heard the bells go down, We’re a gang of varied sizes but a pride for any town, So here’s a little story, no plea for sympathy, But just a small pen picture of the boys who live with me, Here’s Bert, he comes from Auckland, a fireman bold is he, His form is built on various lines, Boy! what capacity, He’s head of all this outfit, that’s why I put him first, In the ways of artful dodging he surely is well versed. Now Eric comes from Christchurch, be kind, ’twas not his error, When he’s behind a ping pong bat ye gods he is a terror, He’s 2.I.C. of this here gang, and sees that’s all perfection, Especially on a Monday morn, when we line up for inspection. Monty hails from Gisborne, I guess you know the place, lt must be rugged country, if you judge it by his face, He also is our corporal, a man of words quite few, So he typewrites out the orders of what we have to do. Ronny comes from Blenheim, he knew the place was screwy, So he packed his old "Port Sammy," and fled to Wanganui, He sits in style behind the wheel, his, muscles bunched like cord, The acme of perfection, the driver of our Ford. Te Awamutu, strange to say, is Allen’s homely stable, He grew a little moustache, and it made him look like Gable, He also sits behind a wheel, I’ll swears this bit is true, He has to put his brakes on to remain as number two, Sydney comes from Christchurch, and I would like to mention, That although he is the painter, it is also his intention To lay the odds at six to four, if there are any takers, And grab our cash and socks and shirt like any damned bookmaker. From Auckland, too, comes little "Mutt," poor fellow, such is fate, He buys the daily paper, but never knows the date, He does his scene but carries 'on, l sometimes his blood does boil, He sells us stinking paraffin and calls it "Jeff’s Hair Oil." From Wellington comes dark haired Tom, he’s always on his toes, He knows all about the females, especially ladies’ hose, When he goes off to Cairo to have a spot of leave, He returns to camp quite proudly with powder on his sleeve. Pinky comes from Oamaru, the place of lovely stone, But, really, I must tell you, he reeks of blood and bone, He tells us such great stories, he very seldom fails To take our minds far backwards, to 2 the days of fairy tales. Te Aroha is the home of Joe, and believe me he is quite a Champion with pen or brush, that’s Why he’s our sign writer, As an actor of ability he did one night entrance The manager of "Ensa" with a splendid dance. Now we come to little "Norm," and Auckland is his home, He tells us wondrous stories about his luscious chrome, He liketh Ken Key on the branch, Charlie Cockerill not the Provost, it must have been a farce When they found at the locker and Jim Wilson . him once in Cairo minus his leave pass. Te Aroha, we ask of you, did Sago get a fright The day that you put "Labour" in, his hair turned quite white, So now he is our white haired boy, and strange as you may think, He’s been and gone and signed the pledge and doesn’t even drink. Christchurch is where Tommy dwells, his nickname is the "Killer," If you’d like to see some fun, bring your Walter Miller, He’ll grab you with his brawny arms, he’ll dislocate your finger, When you escape his playful grip the memory will linger. Now Dunedin is to Rodger his home, his pride and joy, I daren’t say too much for he’s our new boy, But still I’d like to ask him, "Oh tell me Rodger," Please? Do they all wear splints in Dunedin, so they won’t give at the knees? Of course, this rhyme won’t be complete until I mention Feilding, So I better get to work ‘ere this pen I’ll stop from wielding So let me tell you the name is Ned no relation please to "Kelly," At the sight of work I never shirk, but quiver like a jelly. So now you’ve heard my story, I hope I’ve made it clear, That for this gang of heathen you need never shed a tear, They’re past redemption one and all; now this is on the level, They’ll never come back on the narrow track, they’re all gone plumb To The Devil! Newspaper clipping from during the war. 4
Hand coloured photo of Number 1 machine. Bert Manning and Les Potter in front. Shorty Wright, Joe Watson, Keith Cowire, Len Gordon & Monty Hamond
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Anzac: 100 Years Ago Ric Carlyon For nigh on 100 years a bronze memorial has looked down from its central position high on the wall in the appliance hall at Central Fire Station in Pitt Street. It honours those who were serving in the Auckland Fire Brigade and answered the call to arms during the First World War. The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor, James Gunson, in October 1920. “The Brigade has an enviable record,” he said, “of 60 firebrigadesmen, 39 served overseas - significant of the type of men serving in the Brigade”. Four firefighters were killed. Corporal Edward Mitchell Pharazyn Rexworthy took part in the landings at Gallipoli at the start of the Anzac campaign, was injured and recovered to be transferred to France where he was killed in action at the Somme on October 4th 1916. Sergeant Harry Pickering De Courcey was serving with the N.Z. Entrenching Battalion in France when he died of wounds on May 9th 1918. He was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. Lieutenant Thomas Roland Roth Burns was the Fire Brigade’s mechanic and began action at the front with the Anzacs during the landings in April 1915. Wounded by an enemy bullet shattering his femur, he was evacuated to England for treatment. After convalescence he took flying lessons and transferred to the pioneering 44 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps in January 1918. He was killed in an aircraft accident on 16th December 1918. Charles Warner enlisted in May 1916 and saw action in France before being killed during the Battle of Messines in Belgium on June 7th 1917 when New Zealand troops reclaimed surrounding territory. The memorial plaque also bears the names of all the Auckland City brigadesmen who served in the First World War… those from other brigades who served overseas are recorded on other memorials. 100 Years after ANZAC, We A re Remembering Them
Sergeant John Gildroy Grant, 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment, 1NZEF
Date of action: 1 September 1918 (near Bancourt, France) Date of award: 27 November 1918 A builder from Hawera, John Grant joined the 1st Battalion, Wellington Regiment in Egypt just before it was sent to France in April 1916. He received the VC for his conduct on 1 September 1918 as the New Zealand Division advanced near Bapaume. When his battalion attacked German machine-gun positions on Bancourt Ridge, Grant and another soldier rushed the guns, leaping into the machine-gun post in the centre of the defences to destroy it. He then eliminated a nearby position in a similar fashion. Courtesy New Zealand history www.nzhistory.net.nz
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