106 entries.
wrote on 28th November 2023
at
6:15 pm
Me again
wrote on 17th November 2023
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1:52 pm
Hi all
Me again
wrote on 5th September 2023
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4:41 pm
Nobody seems to want to use this guest book
wrote on 13th July 2019
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11:30 am
Cheers Phil
From old school
Guvnor
wrote on 28th March 2019
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10:59 am
Really enjoyed you're books guvnor although I've been retired now for 15 yrs after serving 27 yrs in the LFB you brought back some very good memories of similar things that happened in my career I can see you were what's called proper old school anyhow thanks Dave when I need a bit of cheering up I'll read them again and remember the great times I had
wrote on 21st September 2017
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4:48 am
All 3 book are awesome, they had me gripped from page to page. Great work!
wrote on 17th October 2016
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2:18 pm
Good stories
wrote on 25th April 2015
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6:36 pm
I have read all 3 books from back to back atleast twice each... I have taken them on flights on holiday and been stared at like a mad man for literally giggling out loud for half of the flight. As a young probationary firefighter I have been found the books enthralling, inspiring and so entertaining that I might just read the whole set again. I often find myself beaming from ear to ear whilst reading them and can't help wish that I was a firefighter on Dave's watch. There is only one word worthy of this man.. "Legend!" . Please write another! Thank you for writing something that has been so important in the development of my fire service career and if I ever meet you beers are on me!
wrote on 1st June 2014
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11:12 pm
Hello GovI was t young to call you Dave. You were always and happily Guv to me. Under you I went from a boy to a man I was 18 when I turned up on the whites at D23. I still remember you giving me a talk about parapet dismounts when `i first did hook ladder drillsthe word was we don't do 'emHoobsy
wrote on 1st June 2014
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11:01 pm
Hello GuvHow are you doing D23 WW Tugs watch With Bill Collins, Bomber Harris, Greg, Eamon, Biggles, Charlie, Lee, LFM Squidly, Sub Brian, Mary the cook and all of us that was WW Delta 23
wrote on 1st May 2014
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2:31 pm
Just read your first book - brought back a lot of memories. Sorry I seem to have been the cause of your early departure from the brigade!!Hard to believe it all happened so many years ago.Hope all is well with you & your family
wrote on 13th January 2014
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3:26 pm
Just finished your first e-book. As you are making them free to download, I have sent a donation to the Firefighters Charity. Perhaps you might put a note on your website inviting others who enjoy the books to make a donation (to this or another charity of your choice) - although maybe you would prefer the money yourself! I am now retired after 38 years at the Natural History Museum. Did you get a chance to look around our 'Spirit Building' when you were at Brompton & Chelsea? There was supposed to be enough energy stored in that building (as 80% alcohol) to launch a Saturn 5 rocket. Really enjoyed your tales.
wrote on 6th February 2013
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6:45 pm
Hi DaveGood read, dont know if you remember me, with you at A21 when it opened and srayed about a year before escaping to the B Div.I intend to read the rest of your books, came accross this site by accident while trying to research what happened to Alec Pilbro and tried typing in Lienster Towers fire and this site came up. RegardsMick Eagle
wrote on 17th March 2012
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3:39 pm
Came across your books on Amazon and thought I might give them a try. It ended in tears, of course, I haven't laughed so much for a long time! Great books and a great trigger for many more memories. Thank you - Jaime Graham (73 - 86 mostly in the C Division) Now I've seen your photo, will look out for you at the 'Old Bugger's Beano' in May.
wrote on 17th March 2012
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3:36 pm
Came across your books on Amazon and though I might give them a try. It ended in tears, of course, I haven't laughed so much for a long time! Great books and a great trigger for many more memories. Thank you - Jaime Graham (73 - 86 mostly in the C Division) Now I've seen your photo, will look out for you at the 'Old Bugger's Beano' in May.
wrote on 1st January 2012
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9:41 pm
Hi Dave, retired Sub from next door (Surrey). Part the way through "To ride a Red Engine", I was laughing by page 2 of the Preface. Recommended by one of your ex Colleagues, (John Drudge). Can't wait to get on to the second book. Best Wishes. Mick B.
wrote on 16th December 2011
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4:38 am
Hi DaveJust to let you know that my family has, so far, survived the earthquakes without serious injury - though my wife, son & youngest daughter all has "nera misses" during the February quake. It is well worth repeating how grateful CHCH residents are for the efforts of local Emergencvy Services, suplimented by International Urban SAR during the highly volitile rescue phase of the operation. So, if any of your readers were involved thanks again. Current situation: there have been a total of 4778 (four thousand and seventy eight) aftershocks since Feb. Most have been low to moderate but about 24 have been between 5.1 -6.4 magnitude, enough to put your heart back into your mouth.Shocks continue about 20 or so per week. Over 11.5 million tons of rubble & liquifaction have been removed from the district with more to come as about 2,500 private homes & about 100 commercial blds are scheduled for demolition. With over 50,000 road defects(cracks,bumps & holes)reported shock absorber installers are having a field day. Residents are still optimistic with plans to rebuild a safer and greener central city and land in the almost untouched western suburbs being fast tracked for replacement housing. A case in point is our favourate butcher. His first shop destroyed in the Sep. 2010 quake and his second in the Feb. quake he has now set up shop less in safer soil, less than 100 m. from the original shop. Advise to residents in the event of a sewage system failure.Step1: Dig a very deep hole in the backyard. Step2: Obtain large plastic rubbish bag and fit over toilet bowl. Step3: Do what comes naturally. Step4: Remove contents and bury in hole. Limited sewage capability. "If it's yellow let it mellow" " If it's brown flush it down"Finally Dave keep up the good work. Re reading your stories about the old LFB was important light relief especially in the early days when we had no electic supply.Stay safe.Ralph (jock) Scott
wrote on 25th November 2011
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11:11 pm
Ah the 70's and 80's were the best days in the Fire Brigade, I loved my old personal axe. Great stories, the kids of today don't believe some of the things we got up to before health and safety, remember the hook ladders!!
wrote on 12th August 2011
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8:47 pm
Hi Dave,I was prompted to re-read your first bookafter seeing the news coverage of the recent London riots.The world seems like a much different place from what you wrote about in the 60's & 70's.I am sure though that the LFB is still full of dedicated people doing a difficult job.(although you probably won't find much beer being brewed these days in London fire stations. I just wanted you to know how how much I enjoyed your book and now that I found your website I look forward to reading your other writings. Hope you are doing well. Sincerely, Brian
wrote on 20th April 2010
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8:20 am
Congratulations on your books which I have read and re read many times and greetings to any of your readers who were stationed at Blue Watch Camden Town 1962-1966 and Red Watch Edgeware Rd where I was a L.Fm. 1966-1967Many thanks for the memories of volley ball matches (LFB Style) and the Saturday morning hockey matches. A special thanks for memories of the nourishing pints Buck Ryan, Terry O'Neil you and I sank at the corner pub. As for water fights, do you remember the time you and I came second best to Buck Ryan when we were daft enough to turn the piddling hose from the hydrant 'bagpipes' on him. As for me, I am a 72 yr old grandfather; in my dotage. That's for others to say. I retired as a Stn. O. N.Z. Fire Service and took on a job as a government fire protection officer. That job took me on inspection trips to about the South Island and off shore to the Chatham Islands and Scott Base Antarctica. There was a number of ex LFB stationed at CHCH at least one of which you would have known. I would be pleased to pass on details to any of your readers.Again many thanks and congratulations.
