This is Dennis, the 'heavy pumper' used by the Perth Fire Station until the 1970's. What a beauty he is, with his Rolls Royce 5.6 litre B61 engine, lovingly restored by a group of retired volunteer firemen and on display in the
Fire Education Centre/Museum, once the old Perth Fire Station on Murray Street. The museum is a brilliant way for children to learn about the history of the fire services in Perth from the very beginning and it's a very popular school excursion destination. I was shown around by Jeff, a retired volunteer fireman who will be one of four RVF to be included on the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June this year, he said he wasn't at all happy about the prospect of having to wear a suit and all the fuss, 'I'm a fireman' he said, mumble, grumble, but honestly, I think he must have been pretty chuffed, recognition for excellent service is always a worthy occasion.....
This is the uniform that was worn from the 1880's until 1974, according to the information it seems that there was both French and English influence at work here. I have a few more shots from the museum that I'll leave until tomorrow.. The beginning of a new week and almost Easter, how does the time disappear so quickly. Hope you have a happy and safe week.....
Why all children love firemen is mystere (me too was one of them). Probably the colour red... Great reportage. If one day I'll be in Perth, for sure I will visit Dennis :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific and interesting post for the day, Grace! I love your colorful captures and what a fantastic fire engine! None of our countries would fare well without the heroes of the fire departments that put their lives on the line so frequently! Hope your week is off to a good start! And time does indeed FLY!! Whether you're having fun or not!!! But I hope that you are having a wonderful beginning to your new week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
magnifique cet ancien camion de pompier, ca me rapelle mon enfance et mon camion de pompier ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome post Grace!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That's so RED!!! I think you've clocked up enough RED pix to consider being my guest on RED Alert soon, don't you? Would love to feature Perth!! How about it?!
ReplyDeleteI love Dennis! So interesting! We have a wonderful historic fire museum here in Portland.
ReplyDeleteAbout the tracks on my cobblestone post, the light rail trains still operates daily here in Portland as part of our wonderful mass transit system.
Dennis is wonderful! I think that firemen/people are real heroes.
ReplyDeleteFabulous museum! It is wonderful that we have these reminders of life "before"! Always enjoy finding out about Perth!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, Grace. That first line.... I knew a Dennis once....better stop. It is very fine fire engine.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great classic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fire truck. Well deserved for the fireman to be on the Queen´s honours list.
ReplyDeleteSmashing!
ReplyDeleteHonolulu Fire Dept too has a museum. We do admire these daily hero's and enjoy seeing their historic items.
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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I love fire engines, Dennis is a magnificent example!
ReplyDeleteDennis is certainly a classic and the uniform looks a bit like french military to me :-).
ReplyDeleteA great tour. I love Dennis!
ReplyDeleteLovely- he even seems to have a face to me in that first photo! Did you know that Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce here in Nanchester about 105 years ago? I shall do a post about that one day ;-)
ReplyDeleteChrissy from Manchester: a photo a day at Mancunian Wave
(Manchester not Nanchester!)
ReplyDeleteThere is an antique fire engine museum in Phoenix, called the Hall of Flame.
ReplyDeleteOn Balboa Island, Newport Beach, California, there is an old fire station in the heart of the streets with quaint shops and restaurants, and they have a lovingly maintained old fire engine on display.
A fire engine with a lot of character, and a beautiful red color!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this most interesting and informative post. Our firemen/women are true heroes these days, often going unsung.
ReplyDeleteLove that engine! Shiny red just like an engine should be. So glad it was restored!
fascinating .. I love firemen ... true heroes
ReplyDeleteI can see the french influence in the last photo, I think they are still wearing a very similar helmet in the Garde Republicaine in Paris
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to see...
ReplyDeleteI just adore Fire Engine red! What a super place.
ReplyDeleteSuperbe!! Arianna
ReplyDeleteGrace, très belle machine et très belles photos, j'aime.:):):)
ReplyDeleteI agree, where does the time fly? I love your post on the fire department! That classic engine is amazing :D
ReplyDeleteWhen, as a kid, I understood that it was hard to become an astronaut, fireman was obviously my second choice...
ReplyDeleteInteresting and nicely maintained museum. It's good when there is no need to use fire equipment when not in the fire. Sincerely, Peter.
ReplyDeleteShiny red trucks never lose their sex appeal, do they!
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