Comments on: Jack Corbett, London’s Oldest Fireman

By: Carol Amis

Carol Amis — Sun, 18 Mar 2018 22:49:11 +0000

My father, Bill Kane, also served as an auxiliary fireman from 1939 to 1946 at Clerkenwell station. He had many stories about the pantomime the firemen put on during the war. He died in 1959. Perhaps someone can remember him?

By: Jack Corbett

Jack Corbett — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:01:21 +0000

Congratulations on the long and well-lived life, Jack!

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:45:08 +0000

My Father served at Clerkenwell from around 1939 – 1948 I believe certainly thought the War
He drove the turntable ladder engine he would have been 104 his name was Frank Tomas Smith I assume part of Jacks team I would love to hear back…My brother has quite a few stories about that time.

Paula

By: Alexander McBride

Alexander McBride — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 15:54:06 +0000

Jack,
Enjoyed your story I joined Clerkenwell in 1964 on the white watch and served with a great bunch of guys B20 will always be remembered with affection.

By: David Burton

David Burton — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 06:38:02 +0000

Jack, congrats on your wonderful life mate, I too was stationed at Clerkenwell and loved every minute of it, its a pity that you never wrote a book on your life as I’m sure it would be a best seller,this month is going to be a very sad time for The London Fire Brigade and for Londoners as a whole, 10 fire stations closing, disgraceful!!

By: Alison Sye

Alison Sye — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 16:32:42 +0000

Lovely to hear Jack’s story, but very sad about the London fire station closures.

By: Jim Rabbitts

Jim Rabbitts — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 15:28:56 +0000

Thank you Jack. A great story that will inspire us all. I also have climbed that same ladder under the cross of St Pauls. Remember it well.

Take care mate ! You are lucky to have so much support.

Jim.

Retired LFB West Hampstead RW and Hendon BW.

By: valerie-Jael

valerie-Jael — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 14:37:59 +0000

Great story about a wonderful man. Sadly, people don’t seem to learn from what happened. How will fires be extinguished when there is no fire brigade near by? Or are the responsible people hoping for some ‘hot’ property clearance to make space to build new highrisers and make more money? Valerie

By: Judith Yahav

Judith Yahav — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 13:19:46 +0000

Hello Mr. Corbett,
It was great reading your interesting story.
My dad who, if alive, would be 103 now, was also in the London Fire Brigade the same time as you and I wonder if you knew him. His name was Eddie Burke and he lived in the east end of London. Unfortunately I don’t know where he was stationed, but I know he helped in the blitz. I also have a photo of all his station colleagues which I look at regularly, as I loved him very much.
I wish you well.
Best wishes,
Mrs. Judy Yahav (nee Burke)

By: Chris B

Chris B — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:34:34 +0000

A lovely story. Hats off to you Jack.

My grandmother was also born in 1910 and worked as a fire watcher in world war 2, watching for incendiary bombs during the Blitz.

Sadly she passed away a couple years ago at the ripe old age of 100.

It’s nice to see that there are still some folks out there with such rich and inspiring stories to tell.