National Fire Service badge
The London Fire Brigade badge pictured (to the left of the picture) was presented to Herbert Dungey (pictured) in 1993 on the occasion of his hundredth birthday. It was given in recognition of his services as a fire watcher during the Second World War.
In August of 1941, the National Fire Service (NFS) was created by the Auxiliary Fire Service and local authorities. During wartime, these firemen were at high risk. The NFS service would attend to fires while bombing raids were still happening. The NFS disbanded in 1947, divided by the Fire Services Act 1947, reverting to local authority control.
The London Fire Brigade badge was presented to Herbert Dungey in 1993 on the occasion of his hundredth birthday, in recognition of his services as a fire watcher during the Second World War.
Guntō Sword
This is a Guntō (or military sword) made for use by the Japanese army and navy, thought to have been made between 1926 and 1945. It was taken from a Japanese officer in what was Burma (now Myanmar), during World War II. The brown tassels may mean the officer was a sergeant, sergeant major or corporal.
Burma was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. The Burmese sought independence and to expel the British following colonialism. Hundreds of thousands of Burmese people died during the Japanese occupation.
Press clipping
This press cutting announces the re-opening of the Horniman Museum after being closed due to war damage. It advises school groups should book in advance, and details the opening hours of the Museum, including its Christmas day closure.
It is likely to have been published a short time after the Museum reopened on 25 September 1946. Read more about the Horniman during the Second World War.
A cutting showing from the Horniman Archives
Photographs: the Boosey & Hawkes factory
During the Second World War, the Boosey & Hawkes factory in Edgware was seconded for the production of components for munitions and aircraft.
This collection of images shows the workers at the factory making wings for Spitfires and Lancaster bombers, as well as munitions like limpet mines and bombs. Boosey & Hawkes continued making instruments during the war, like military drums.
