Ahead of VE Day, the family of an Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) hero who drove a fuel truck during the Blitz visited London Fire Brigade to learn more about her story.
Gillian ‘Bobbie’ Tanner was 19 when war broke out in 1939. The same day, she drove 95 miles to London from her home in Cirencester to see what she could do to help. She joined the AFS and became a driver.
Speaking in 2005, Gillian explained: “I went there as a driver. There were two of us and we drove the station officer wherever he wanted to go. As soon as I was 21, I put in for a heavy goods licence and passed.”
Her role during the Blitz was to drive a petrol lorry, delivering fuel that ensured fire engines could reach emergencies across the city. This often included navigating London during nighttime air raids.
During a bombing raid in December 1940, which became known as the ‘Second Great Fire of London’ due to the intense destruction caused, Gillian was delivering petrol to fire engines around Bermondsey docks. This involved driving a huge lorry, with no power steering, headlights, or streetlights through streets with huge craters.
Gillian was awarded the George Medal for her bravery and later relocated to Wales.
Last month, her family visited Lambeth River Fire Station for a trip along the Thames on Fireboat Tanner, named in recognition of Gillian’s heroic actions during the war.
Gillian’s granddaughter, Mandy, said: “I didn’t realise the connection and the value people put on her contributions until now.
“She was strong willed and determined and if something had to be done, she’d get on and do it.
“For people to aspire to be like her and her to be a good example of leadership, that makes us feel so proud.
“On VE Day, our family will be spending time together remembering Bobbie and it’s special to know that she will be remembered by London Fire Brigade too.”
Fireboat Tanner is one of two fireboats that entered into service in 2023. The boats are twice as fast as the previous vessels, capable of reaching speeds of forty knots. As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats have a hydraulic crane for conducting rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera. Since their introduction, the fireboats have been deployed over 300 times.
Station Commander Paul Jarrett said: “Fireboat Tanner can be mobilised from Dartford in the east to Teddington in the West and can assist with a wide range of incidents, from water rescues to vessels in distress.
"Everywhere we go, we aspire to uphold Gillian Tanner’s values of service, bravery and calmness under pressure.
“It’s an honour to provide her family with a glimpse into Gillian’s legacy at the Brigade. She still serves as an inspiration to us all.”
During the war, Gillian was posted to Dockhead Fire Station. As part of their visit, her family visited the modern station to learn about the Gillian Tanner Leadership Programme.
The Gillian Tanner Leadership Programme is offered to junior officers and managers and focuses on personal discovery and effective communication.
Keeley Foster, Assistant Commissioner for Learning and Development said: “The Gillian Tanner Leadership Programme has been named in recognition of Auxiliary Firewoman Tanner’s courage, determination and leadership.
“She volunteered to undertake an incredibly dangerous job, helping to save countless lives by ensuring that fire engines across London had vital fuel supplies.
“The Gillian Tanner course aims to provide junior officers and managers across the Brigade with the skills and training to lead effectively, whether in an office, the Control Room or at an incident.”
