The Salvage Corps primary aim was to reduce the damage caused by fires. They would work alongside firefighters to achieve this. The last three remaining services in the UK were in Glasgow, Liverpool and London. All three were disbanded in the early 1980s.
A plaque commemorating a previous site of the London Salvage Corps. The text reads ‘On this site stood the headquarters of the London Salvage Corps 1907 to 1960’.
A wider look at the location of the plaque. It is above the entrance to a Japanese restaurant on Watling Street in The City area of London. The original building was demolished and replaced with this one.
822 DGB Glasgow Salvage Corps operated this Bedford TK. The doors into the rear cab fold open and Glasgow’s crest is shown on the front doors. On the front are three ‘fire’ signs as well as a blue flashing light and an emergency warning bell. It was one of only 17 vehicles that Glasgow had during its 111 years of existence.
HHS 924T This 1978 Bedford was in service with Glasgow Salvage Corps as a damage control unit. It was converted by Fulton and Wylie.
HKA 799D Liverpool’s Salvage Corps used this Ford D for emergency response work. You can see it has a single blue flashing light above the windscreen and ladders on the roof.
CBG 50X Liverpool Salvage Corps had this Bedford as part of their fleet at the end of their existence. It is a 1981 model with specially built bodywork. Notice the ‘salvage’ sign on the cab’s roof that has air horns mounted to it.
TYD 478S London Salvage Corps operated this Ford Damage Control Unit. It is fitted with two blue rotating beacons on the roof, separated by the ladders.
HNW 48N London Salvage Corps had this Mercedes Benz 606D van on their fleet.
JYE 995N An example of one of London’s Salvage Corps Mercedes vans. This is marked as a damage control unit. Sliding doors on each side allow access to the rear part of the cab, you then step through to the front section to drive it. They also used sister vehicle JYE 996N. Both were sold to the Singapore Fire Brigade in 1979 where they continued their frontline service until 1992.