THE past is brought to life when a former Tavistock man takes a trip down memory lane writes Linsday Bright. Roy Acton, who now lives in Exeter, has a wide collection of old pictures and many of when his father, Jim Acton, was the fire brigade superintendent during World War Two. He said: ?This picture (above) was taken pre-war, I can tell this because my father is not the chief. The occasion was the Tavistock Carnival. ?Note that the fire engine has solid tyres where as later on engines had pneumatic tyres.? Roy is in the back row of the picture. He still has his father?s book in which he recorded the attendances at drill night each Monday and the attendances at fires. According to his records, the brigade went to Plymouth during World War Two on Dec 28, 1940; Jan 13, March 20, April 21, 22, 23, 29 in 1941. In an article published in the Tavistock Gazette on April 2 1942 was an account of their trip to Plymouth blitz. Mr Kerswill, the then chairman of Tavistock USC, said: ?When Plymouth was blitzed a year ago the local brigade went to help.? ?When Tavistock Fire Brigade entered Plymouth their engine was badly damaged. Every man was injured to some degree but fought their way in and tackled fires all night.? At one time the crew was surrounded by fires. They told Roy they thought it was the end for them. Their engines, hoses and the clothes they were wearing were burned. But as the wind veered they made a dash and got out. They crawled home to Tavistock, the engine firing on one cylinder only. Every man collapsed and had to be taken to Tavistock Hospital. Later they were asked to pick out one of their number to be honoured and to their credit they refused. They said it was a team effort and if there was honour it was earned equally by all. Roy said: ?It is a story of Tavistock which people should know. They were all volunteers and the only payment was ? for attendance at fires and first hour ? 5 shillings (25p) or 3 shillings (15p) for each subsequent hour.? According to records, the firefighters who went to Plymouth were Jim Acton, C Collacott, Bill Palmer, Hutchings, Knott, Stanbury, Walters, Sloman, Craze (senior), Simmons, Stephens, Burgoyne and Kelly. Originally the fire station was next to the Tavistock Police Station but then moved to the market complex facing onto market road. Jim Acton succeeded Tom Brown as chief on April 1, 1939. His occupation was market superintendent responsible for the town hall, pannier market and cattle market. He resigned on the introduction of the National Fire Service ? as did several of the other members. Roy was employed by Ward and Chowen until he joined the Devon Constabulary in 1941 and retired as assistant chief constable in 1971. He subsequently became chief commandant of the special constabulary and finally retired in 1997. He attended the primary school in Plymouth Road and then a scholarship to the grammar school. Roy was a regular player for Tavistock Cricket Club. Local author Gerry Woodcock contacts Roy on occasion for help if he needs any information on the Tavistock of years ago.