Fire station staff in meal break, London, WW2
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Fire station staff in meal break, London, WW2
Fire station staff having a meal supplied from a mobile canteen van in a school playground in London during the Second World War. Date: 1940s
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14158468
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans
Blitz Break Canteen Catering Charity Donated Donation Eating Meal Mobile Pile Plates Playground Refreshment Refreshments Staff Tables Vehicles Firefighter Firefighters Firefighting Fireman Firemen
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of respite for London Fire Brigade (LFB) staff during the intense days of the Second World War. The scene unfolds in a school playground, transformed into an impromptu canteen, as firemen gather around a mobile van, supplied by a charitable organization, to enjoy their well-deserved meal break. The year is the 1940s, and the Blitz, a series of air raids by the German Air Force, has left London in a state of constant turmoil. The firemen, their faces etched with the weariness of long hours spent fighting fires and providing relief to the city's beleaguered population, sit at makeshift tables, their plates piled high with hearty meals. The open-air setting, a welcome change from the cramped and smoky conditions they encounter at the fire station, offers a brief moment of relief. The mobile canteen van, a vital source of sustenance during this time, was donated by the National Fire Service (NFS) or the United States, symbolizing the spirit of international cooperation and support during the war. The van, filled with hot food and refreshing drinks, provided a much-needed boost for the hardworking firefighters. The photograph offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the Fire Brigade during the Second World War, and the essential role that charitable organizations and community support played in providing relief during times of crisis.
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