Canadian Firefighters Over Seas – 1942 to 1945

The Need
In a 60 day period beginning Sept. 1, 1940, London, England reported:
    •    16,276 small fires (1 pumper)
    •    1,314 medium fires (2-10 pumpers)
    •    110 serious fires (11-30 pumpers)
    •    14 conflagrations (30+ pumpers)

Other major centres in England experienced similar devastation, putting enormous strain on the National Fire Service.

Canada's Response
Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King and the British government developed a plan for a contingent of Canadian fire fighters to assist in the United Kingdom.

A total of 422 men volunteered from across Canada to form the Corps of Canadian Fire Fighters under the direction of G.E. Huff of Brantford, Ontario.

The Corps arrived in Britain in May, 1942, and manned six stations.
    •    London - HQ
    •    Southhampton - 2
    •    Portsmouth - 2
    •    Plymouth - 1
    •    Bristol - 1

In a 2 1/2 year period, Corps members worked countless times at risk in perilous conditions to effect rescues and battle fires started by bombing. Three members were killed and three others were seriously injured.
Before the Corps' departure to Canada in late 1944, thousands of grateful citizens lined the streets in London as the Corps of Canadian Fire Fighters paraded from Trafalgar Square to take the salute in front of Canada House.
Canadian Fire Fighters - Portsmouth Dec. 6, 1944

Canadian Fire Fighters - Portsmouth Dec. 6, 1944
Photo Courtesy of David Purdy of Littleover, Derby, England.
This photo was taken prior to a farewell luncheon held at
The Royal Beach Hotel, Portsmouth, England on Dec. 6 1944.

For more information about Canadian Fire Fighters contributions during World War II visit www.FireHouse651.com and other links on our Links page.