Robert Gilbertson and Philip Clarke were brandweermannen – firefighters – who served at Leith Fire Station in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were also mijn twee opa – my two grandfathers.
During the second world war, Granda Gilbertson served briefly in London in the Blitz, but was brought back to serve at the Glasgow docks, as the German air force were bombing the port to destroy ships and cargo. He was there until the end of the war, after which he was stationed at Leith Fire Station until his retirement.
Granda Clarke joined the fire brigade after being demobbed from the airforce at the end of world war two. He had to undertake six months of training at a large school outside of Edinburgh and was then assigned to Leith. Upon his retirement, Granda rejoined the fire brigade in a civilian role – training firemen from all over Scotland and other countries, in the different aspects of fighting fire aboard a ship.
They both attended big fires and had narrow escapes – beams just missing them as they came crashing to the ground. My mother always knew when her Dad had attended a fire where a fatality had occurred – he would be very pale and spend ages washing his hands in disinfectant.
Despite the fact that I never got to meet my grandfathers, I’m very proud of them. Firefighters very much deserve the moniker that is often given to them – unsung heroes – and I guess because of my family connections, I hold fire fighters in very high regard.
Olive’s topic at school this past week has been fire safety, the culmination of which was a trip to the Antwerpen Zuid Brandweerkazerne – the Antwerp South Fire Station. Because of our family connection with brandweermannen, Olive’s teacher kindly asked if I would come as the parent helper – how could I refuse?
Olive and some of her classmates, ready to walk to the fire station.
The fire station was a five minute walk from the school, in a building that from the outside, looked most unlike a fire station – no red anywhere! Fortunately, just as we arrived, a brandweerwagen drove out so we knew we were in the right place.
Perfect timing!
Our tour began with a look at the breathing apparatus - just like Darth Vader!
Then everyone got to sit in the braandweerwagen.
After being shown some of the other equipment, one of the firefighters backed an engine out in the yard. They demonstrated how high the ladder on the back of the truck went and then everyone got to have a ride – even me.
Raising the ladder.
Just like a ride at the fun fair.
Olive getting ready for her fireman's lift!
I took this shot during my ride. Great view of the city up there.
Next we checked out the dispatch room where the all important calls come in and then it was time to play dress up.
I think her Great-Grandas would be very proud 🙂
Whilst dressing up was lots of fun, what came next was even more exciting. We all trooped back out into the yard and everyone got to have a turn at putting out a fire.
The children aimed the hose at the wooden flames and the pressure of the water knocked them over - they had a blast.
Go Olive!
Not one of them tried to aim it at the teacher - such well-behaved children!
The children gathered together for a quick photo in front of the fire engine and then we headed back into the canteen, where everyone was given their own helmet to take home.
Grade One and Kindergarten Three.
Members of the Da Vinci fire brigade.
It was a fantastic morning. The firemen (of the 600 firefighters in and around Antwerp, only six are women) were so friendly and welcoming and seemed to really enjoy their time with the children. And seeing all the technology available to modern day fire fighters just made me all the more proud of my grandfathers – they didn’t even have extendable ladders back then and had to clang the bell on the fire engine by hand!
So I guess this post is a wee tribute to Granda Clarke and Granda Gilbertson, in fact to anyone who chooses to don those heavy coats, trousers and boots and go into a burning building – unsung heroes indeed!
More fire station photos if you click on the Flickr link. Take care everyone – and a very special Happy Birthday to Molly and James xxx
hetbelgischekoekje 