Photo Of My Grandad In Fireman Uniform

[susanhemmings]

My grandad, John William Church, was a works fireman for India Rubber Gutta Percha company in silvertown, north woolwich at the outbreak of WW2. The photo was taken in June 1941 and he is about 51 years old. I seem to recall that a book I read said that civilians were expected to be on fire duty for a certain amount of time per month from somewhere during 1941 (before the blitz of May 1941) so I wonder if this was his works uniform or that of his fire station?
On the first day of the blitz on the docks (7.9.40) he was on duty - was absent from home for 3 days - nobody at home knew if he was alive or dead - my dad (his son) was 15 at the time and returned to the house in winchester street where the windows of the houses on each side of the road were exploding with the heat. He managed to get only one photo out and the pet dog. The house was blown to smithereens together with all the family possessions. The bombs were raining down, the heat was intense (my dad says).

Please could anyone help me identify the outfit.
I am a regular contributor/logger in to ww1 forum and put a message and photo on that site - had a couple of very helpful replies - but just wonder if this site would be better as photo taken way after end of ww1.

Thank you all for looking anyway.

Susan.

[adrian roberts]

Susan

Have you visited the docklands museum, by West India dock opposite Canary Wharf tower? There is an section on the "docklands in war" with photos and mannequins of fire service personnel and I seem to remember that one of the uniforms looked very like the one of your grandfather.
http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/visit.htm

Adrian

[susanhemmings]

I have been to the docklands museum twice, but have failed to see (I think) this. I do not think that when I went I really remembered the uniform. Must rake out that book I bought.
Thank you adrian.
susan.