Fire Brigade before they had uniforms, on Horry Martin's lorry in front of West Mersea Church.
L-R 1. Horry Martin, 2. Arthur Mills, 3. Edgar Jopson, 4. Ivan Mole, 5. Herbert Burgess, 6. Horry Whiting, 7. Mr Cathercole, 8. Alec C. Green, 9. Bob Key (Island barber Johnny Hart's old shop), 10. Leonard Mills, 11. Oscar Whiting.

Front left Horace Martin, builder, owner of the 'Dennis' lorry VW5608. His yard was where Fred's DIY now (2018) is. The yard and lorry were later owned by Clifford White. It was used for pill box work, and was driven by a Mr Waller. A. Tredget the builder bought it after WW2. (This lorry was fierce on the clutch - ask Ted Atkins). [Ron Green]

Herbert Burgess spent many years working for William Wyatt, the boat builders. He was also an officer in the Sea Cadets and taught us boys to play various instruments [Owen Fletcher].

The photograph appeared in the Daily Mirror 26 February 1929 with the caption "Soon got very busy, - The fire brigade which has just been formed at West Mersea, Essex. It received several calls during the first few days of its existance."

Photograph taken the same time as MMC_669_011 .
Date: 1929