As part of the celebration of Sir Christopher Wren's legacy, the London Fire Brigade Museum, in collaboration with the Square Mile Churches, told a powerful story of resilience and regeneration through a pop-up exhibition of reproductions of paintings by firefighter artists. This exhibition was on display in a selection of London City Churches, between 15 September and 1 December 2023. The exhibition is now closed.
Red Sunday, 29 December 1940, oil, painted by W S Haines in 1941
After the Great Fire of 1666, new churches were built by Sir Christopher Wren across the City of London. In 1940-41 fire once again wreaked devastation across the City during the Blitz. Thirteen churches were destroyed. The night of 29 December 1940 is sometimes called the ‘Second Great Fire of London’.
Among the firefighters who fought to save the City was a remarkable group of artists. Painters including W S Haines, Reginald Mills and Paul Dessau recorded the experience of firefighters thrown into the horror of the Blitz, from dramatic paintings of incidents to more reflective scenes of firefighters at rest.
Women, who had joined the fire service for the first time in the Second World War, worked as control operators, despatch riders and delivery drivers and a small number were also artists, including Julia Lowenthal and Mary Pitcairn whose work is represented in the exhibition.
These artists were volunteers in the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and in 1940 ten AFS artists formed the Firemen Artists Organising Committee. They exhibited not only at home throughout the War but also in the United States, where a landmark exhibition The Great Fire of London, opened in Washington D.C. in 1941.
One reviewer described the paintings as ‘first-hand impressions of experiences, horrors and trials, valiantly met by men and women whose physical labor in defense of their country was supplemented by sensitive perception and creative ability.’
Driving by Mary Pitcairn
This painting shows AFS Firewoman Gillian ‘Bobbie’ Tanner. Her citation for her George Medal said
‘On the night of 20 September 1940, Auxiliary G K Tanner volunteered to drive a 30 cwt lorry loaded with 150 gallons of petrol. Six serious fires were in progress and for three hours Miss Tanner drove through intense bombing to the point at which the petrol was needed, showing coolness and courage throughout.’
The artist, fellow AFS firewoman, Mary Pitcairn was secretary of the Firemen Artists Organising Committee.
Menace No.1 – Overture, by Paul Dessau
This is the first of four paintings that all have a musical sub-heading, like the four movements of a symphony. In the first you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, overshadowed by an ominous figure.
Paul Dessau was a founder member of the Fireman Artists Organising Committee and in these paintings he explored the psychological experience of the Blitz. He was discharged from the Fire Service on medical grounds on 20 July 1944 because of lung problems, caused or at least exacerbated by, the smoke and chemicals produced by the fires he attended.
Resting at a Fire, painted by Reginald Mills in around 1941
These AFS firefighters are surrounded by rolled up hose, resting in the back of an appliance which pulls a trailer pump, while their colleagues in the background continue to fight a fire. You can see a church spire in the background.
Fire in the City: Artists in the Blitz opened on 15 September at five church venues.
From 24 October until 1 December 2023 the exhibition then moved to a new cluster of churches to the west of St Pauls Cathedral.
Please note the exhibition is now closed.
If you would like more information about the firefighter artists a good place to start is 'Firemen Artists 1940-45' by Anthony Kelly, published 2013.
*Please note this exhibition is series of information panels and does not include the actual paintings. They are in storage as we work on plans for a new Museum for London Fire Brigade.
To complement the exhibition we organised three City walks which focused on the impact of the Blitz, and the firefighters who fought to save the City from the threat of fire in the Second World War. Pre-booking was required.
Wednesday 18 October, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Meet at the west steps of St Paul’s Cathedral - Guide Tony Tucker
City Guide Tony Tucker will guide a walk which will visit the Firefighters’ Memorial near St Pauls, and a range of Wren’s best City churches. This walk will take in some of the City’s 2000-year history, but will focus on the impact of the Blitz, and the firefighters who fought to save the City from the threat of fire.
Tony Tucker is a Qualified City of London Guide and Trustee of the Friends of the City Churches. He is the author of ‘The Visitor’s Guide to the City of London Churches’ and ‘Sword Rests of the City’ and is an accredited Arts Society lecturer
Tony repeated this walk on Tuesday 5 December 1.30pm-3.30pm
Meet at the west steps of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Wednesday 15 November, 10.30am-12.30pm
Meet at the Firefighters’ Memorial, Carter Lane, south of St Paul’s Cathedral - Guide Peter Zymanczyk
City Guide Peter Zymanczyk will lead a walk around the City. Starting at the Firefighters’ Memorial this walk will focus on the impact of the Blitz, and the firefighters who fought to save the City, taking in some of Wren’s City churches which were damaged or destroyed in the Blitz.
Peter Zymanczyk served in London Fire Brigade for 31 years, retiring in 2010. His love of London history encouraged him to train as a City of London Tour Guide. While interested in all aspects of the City’s history he has a special interest in both fire and architecture.
