The original "Bures Fire Station" was located on land to the left of the garage, which is located opposite the "Eight Bells Public House" in Colchester Road

History of Fire Service during WW11,1939 - 1945

One problem that became apparent during World War I was that of non-standardisation. Hydrants, stand pipes and hose couplings were a problem when different brigades were working together.

The Auxiliary Fire Service was established to act as a backup or a support force to the professional front-line service during wartime. The volunteers are trained in aspects of fire fighting. This includes pump and ladder drills and different types of fire situations. The AFS also trained in the pumping of water during floods and supplying water to the community in times of emergency. Subsequently, the Auxiliary Fire Service was formed in 1938 and was mobilised on the 1st of September 1939

However, the incendiary bomb attacks of the winter of 1940/41 demonstrated the inadequacy of the fire prevention services, which were still under a multiplicity of local authorities, though coordinated by the Home Office and supported by the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Home Office set about creating a National Fire Service

So on 22nd May 1941 the National Fire Service was formed to unify the whole of the country and eliminate any operational problems.

National Fire Service engine dated 1943. Now located at Wormingford. (The indicators on the front bumper are to comply with modern road regulations)

By 1940 the village had its own complement with hose pipes, stand pipes, ladders (from a local builder) and a lorry (on loan from Chambers Buses). Over the coming months additional fire fighting equipment was purchased.
By July 1940 the village achieved the ultimate possession, a trailer pump donated by a local resident, Mr Wood.
It was held under a covenant by the Parish Council. At the time this was a very expensive piece of equipment, Mr Wood was concerned that the village had no protection against incendiary bombs if they should ever ignite the village houses.

The maintenance and well being of this pump was allocated to Bill Moody, who seemed the only one who could master all the valves and taps etc.
The village fireman also doubled up as ARP Utility Wardens and were paid the sum of £1.00 per year as a retainer.
During the war years the brigade was fortunate enough to avoid dealing with any major fires, but they were judged to be 2nd best in West Suffolk.

Photo by Peter Richards	Trailer pump. This was towed by a local Ford Saloon car to the scene of the fire. Water was obtained from ponds, wells, hydrants etc Picture taken outside Bridge House with Mr & Mrs Thomas Wood. Mr Wood was the Commanding officer of the Home Guard (LDV) who purchased the pump for village use.
Villagers inspect the new Trailer Pump Mr and Mrs Wood in the foreground
Building now used as garage in 2004	The National Fire Service station was situated at the garages of the Swan Inn. There were three buildings, one housed the trailer pump, another a Ford Saloon car and finally living accommodation. There were 7 part time fireman in the village with two on duty at all times to receive fire alarm calls. These two would then attempt to pick up a further four crew to make a full compliment. Hopefully others would then arrive at the station to act as a reserve crew.

With the ending of the war on 8th May 1945, the fire brigade was gradually disbanded.
The Fire Station was eventually closed when it reverted back to local authority control.
All "National Fire Service" and "Auxiliary Fire Service" brigades ceased operation by 1st April 1948.

However, this is not the end of the tale:-

In 1948, early one morning it was taken out of its garage without any authority and whisked off to Ipswich. Mr Wood and the Parish Council were extremely angry as a result of these actions. The Fire Brigade at Ipswich dismissed appeals for its return stating, "...these were government orders, all Fire Brigades and their property were now public property"
This did not go down at all well with Mr Wood. He subsequently found out that the Head of the Fire Brigade at the Home Office had previously been with him up at Oxford University. Mr Wood immediately sent him a letter stating all the facts, basically saying ".........that in England, you don't do things like that"
This had the desired effect, within a short time an official letter arrived, stating the pump would be returned - and it did.
The pump so generously donated to the village, survived the war and now the Home Office attempted to confiscate it, it was the parishes pride and joy.

However, with the coming of the County Fire Service the pump was no longer required and it was sold for £50 to Staunch Farm for irrigation work.
Later in its life (circa 1960`s) it was found to be too expensive to operate. It was once again sold, this time for the brasswork and fittings - a sad end to a fine piece of eqpt.

NB:- Dr Thomas Wood also gave the village in 1949, four and a half acres of land in the centre of the village which we now use as the recreation ground. Just before his death in 1950 he promised a subscription of £100 towards the proposed addition of two bells to complete the octave in the church tower and had undertaken to guarantee the full cost of the work - about £400

BW Photos by Peter Richards
Colour Photo by Alan Beales

Today cover for the village emanates from Sudbury (24hr staffed), Nayland (part time) and backed up by the Colchester (24hr staffed) Essex Fire service

CLICK HERE for full version

Updated 14/04/2007