Rolling out the Gosport barrel for Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grubb | Nostalgia

With a nod to the fearless firefighters of Trumpton, we return to Gosport today for a series of pictures from the first half of the 20th century.

By Deborah Croker
Tuesday, 21st December 2021, 3:34 pm
Gosport Fire Brigade outside their station in 1929. Picture: The News PP3314
Gosport Fire Brigade outside their station in 1929. Picture: The News PP3314

The fire brigade was perhaps Trumpton's most-recognised feature.

Captain Flack's (who could remember his name?) roll-call was recited in all but one episode: ‘Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grubb.’

And remember, it was ‘Pugh, Pugh’ not ‘Hugh, Pugh’ or ‘Pugh, Huw’, for the Pughs were not only brothers but twins.

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Coopers at Royal Clarence Yard. Gosport. Picture: Courtesy of John Sadden

A message from the editor, Mark Waldron.

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HMS Dolphin. Submariners training at Fort Blockhouse c1905.
Delivering coal by A & C Barnes & Son based in Gosport. Pictured circa 1943, with blitz damage to the houses, are Alan Barnes' eldest brother Michael at Henry Street, Gosport, where the stables were.
A D-Day embarkation scene at Gosport
Gosport