Public Talk: Standing Against the Flames: Ramsgate's Fire Brigade 1938 – 1945

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Join our Tunnels historian for a special talk marking the 85th anniversary of the formation of the National Fire Service, the forerunner of today's fire and rescue service.

This richly illustrated talk will bring to life the story of the town's small professional fire brigade in the tense build-up to war, the rapid establishment of the Auxiliary Fire Service, and their combined efforts on the front line of the firefighting effort before their eventual unification into a single national service. Along the way, you'll discover the equipment they used, the training they underwent, and the vital role they played not only in protecting lives and property, but also in supporting one another and the wider community.

Drawing on previously unpublished official records, eyewitness accounts, newspapers, and contemporary photographs, this talk reveals how local firefighters rose to extraordinary challenges and adapted to become part of a coordinated national force, earning the title famously bestowed on them by Winston Churchill: "heroes with grimy faces."

Please note: The talk is being held at the San Clu Hotel, Victoria Parade, Ramsgate CT11 8DT, not at Ramsgate Tunnels.