Drill Collection

Poster for Welsh Guards
Smart men wanted to join the Welsh Guards, pictured here in full uniform during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at St. James Palace

Miner at Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen, Cornwall
Miner at work with a drill underground (below the sea) in Geevor Tin Mine, Pendeen, Cornwall, which was just about to cease operation. Date: circa 1986

Firefighters and hoses, LFB annual review, Lambeth HQ LFB150
London firefighters from East London demonstrating mass jets during the Annual Review display at the Brigades headquarters. Lambeth, SE1

Firefighter during hook ladder practice

Compass Drill, Training Ship Arethusa, Greenhithe, Kent
A group of boys aboard the Training Ship Arethusa receiving compass instruction. The ship received boys aged 13-16 from a variety of poor backgrounds, including the workhouse

Blacksmiths outside their forge
A superb photograph of six Blacksmiths and coachbuilders posing for a photograph outside their forge/workshop, each holding the tools of their trade

Knotting Class, Training Ship Arethusa, Greenhithe, Kent
A group of boys aboard the Training Ship Arethusa receiving knotting and splicing instruction. The ship received boys aged 13-16 from a variety of poor backgrounds, including the workhouse

The Coldstream Guards taking over the Colour
circa 1910s

LCC-LFB Recruit fireman training at Brigade HQ, SE1
During the 1950s recruit firefighters were trained at the Brigade Headquarters, Lambeth. Here a fireman is undertaking a hook ladder drill on the stations nine-storey drill tower

GLC-London Fire Brigade, Clerkenwell fire station
Originally built in 1870, Clerkenwell fire station underwent a major rebuild in 1916 and two additional fire engine bays were added

Levant Mine, St Just in Penwith, Cornwall. 11th (?) July, 1894
Group of 29 miners posed underground at the 278 fathom level. The majority of the miners are wearing felt hats, either with the brim intact or with the brim removed

LCC-LFB Recruit firefighters training at Brigade HQ SE1
During the 1950s recruit firefighters were trained at the Brigade Headquarters in Lambeth. Here they are undertaking hook ladder drills on the stations nine-storey drill tower

USA, TEXAS, Midland: Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Oil Derrick / Dusk

LCC-LFB enclosed pump at Lambeth fire station
Pictured at Brigade Headquarters, Lambeth SE1, an example of an 1930 enclosed London pump with carried breathing apparatus

LCC-LFB Leyland Metz 100 foot turntable ladder
Lambeths (D61) turntable ladder at its base station, displayed in the Brigade headquarters drill yard. The hose line, when the TL is used as a water tower

LCC-LFB AFS Green Goddess pump, Lambeth HQ
A typical AFS (government design) Green Goddess pump, at drill in the yard of Brigade Headquarters station, Lambeth. Created prior to the outbreak of WW2

Detachment of The Black Watch in Dundee, Scotland
Threatening encounters between rioters and the police in Dundee, Scotland, brought a large detachment of The Black Watch to the city

Air Raid Drills at the Windmill Theatre
At the Windmill Theatre, London, the showgirls are given a crash course in fire-fighting and first aid. 1940

Female workers at Rip Bits factory, Sheffield during Second World War, 1941
Rip Bits were based at Hill Street and made drill bits.Includes Ethel May (Rose) Fletcher

A gusher coming in at the Spindletop oil pool, near Beaumont, Texas, c1906
SPINDLETOP OIL POOL, c1906. A gusher coming in at the Spindletop oil pool, near Beaumont, Texas, c1906

Childrens Exercise Drill at Cleevedon Toddlers Home, South
Staff take young children through an exercise drill at the Cleevedon Toddlers Home, South Norwood, run by the Reformatory and Rescue Union (later known as the Childrens Aid Society)

CONFEDERATE CAMP, 1861. Confederate troops from Mississippi practicing with the Bowie knife in camp. Wood engraving from a Northern American newspaper of 1861

TOOL ADVERTISEMENT, 1895. From the Montgomery Ward & Co. catalogue of 1895

Glasgow Fire Drill Competition, Scotland
The Springburn team of firemen participating in a fire drill competition in Glasgow, Scotland. circa 1911

Training Ship Exmouth, dumb bell drill
Uniformed boys on the deck of the Training Ship Exmouth perform dumb bell drill. The Exmouth, moored off Grays in Essex, was used by the Metropolitan Asylums Board as a naval training establishment

Filling a Tooth
A rather bored-looking young dentist fills his clients tooth with the aid of a small dental mirror

Mass jets at the LFB annual review at Lambeth HQ
London firefighters from East London demonstrating mass jets during the Annual Review display at the Brigades headquarters. Lambeth, SE1

LCC-LFB horse drawn 75ft turntable ladder (TL)
Shand Mason (Blackfriars) supplied the London Fire Brigade with this hand operated 75 foot turntable ladder on a four wheel horse drawn carriage

Firefighter during hook ladder practice. Date: 1967

Copper Miners Strike - Calumet, Michigan, USA. Industrial action by Copper Miners of the Western Federation of Miners. Workers were concerned of being displaced to a lower-paying job or of losing

Firefighters taking part in a hose training drill
Two firefighters taking part in a hose training drill

LCC-LFB Fire engines in the HQ drill yard
Lambeth fire station appliances in the drill yard together with senior officer staff cars, and a lorry delivering stores

Fire station drill, hook ladder and 50 foot escape ladder
Regular training continued at all London fire stations during WW2, though it was unusual for a sub-station to have a drill tower

WORLD WAR II: TRAINING. British soldiers training during World War II. Photographed c1942

Greens Motors charabanc outing, Haverfordwest, South Wales
A Greens Motors charabanc outing, with five charabancs in total, makes its way through the streets of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, South Wales

Finsbury Rifles recruiting HQ, North London, WW1
Finsbury Rifles recruiting headquarters and drill hall, 17 Penton Street, Islington, North London, around the start of the First World War. Date: circa 1914

Three women chippers working in a shipbuilding shipyard, 1942

General view of Funkville, Pennsylvania, 1864
PENNSYLVANIA: OIL CREEK. General view of Funkville, Pennsylvania, 1864

Firefighters climbing wheeled escape ladders
Firefighters demonstrating various lengths of wheeled escape ladders

Officers Training Corps, Rugby School, WW1
The Officer Training Corps at Rugby School going through a drill in 1915. Date: 1915

Dormer / The Sheffield Twist Drill and Steel Co. Ltd. Summerfield Street, 1957
Image from The Sheffield Twist Drill and Steel Co. Ltd. Employees Handbook (Local Studies PAMP 609 S)

Oil derricks on the shore near Baku Azerbaijan

LFB water relaying drills, Hyde Park, London
LFB water relaying drills taking place in Hyde Park, London, on 12 February 1938, watched by mothers and their children

LFB Dennis dual-purpose pump, Lambeth HQ
Lambeths (D61) pump at its base station, on display in Brigade headquarters drill yard. Side mounted pump outlets together with hose-reel tubing and two hook ladders can be seen

AFS regional training exercise, journey through London
AFS regional training exercise in Norfolk, 10-11 September 1955. Showing vehicles in London, passing Marble Arch en route for their destination

Six samurai; the upper three at court, practicing their archery; the lower three in traditional hunting attire
HOKUSAI: SIX SAMURAI, 1817. Six samurai; the upper three at court, practicing their archery; the lower three in traditional hunting attire. Woodblock print, 1817, from the Manga of Katsushika Hokusai

LFB-AFS convoy and fire exercise
Part of the Civil Defence Corps until it was disbanded in the late 1960s, the Auxiliary Fire Service consisted of volunteer firefighters who would attend a fire station for drill and training

LCC-LFB Recruit firemen training at Brigade HQ, SE1
During the 1950s recruit firefighters were trained at the Brigade Headquarters, Lambeth. Here the recruit squad are rescuing by carrying down on the 50 foot wheeled escape ladder pitched to the third

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"Embracing Precision and Discipline: Unveiling the Essence of Drill" The Welsh Guards stand tall, their poster epitomizing the art – a testament to unity and precision. Journey deep into Geevor Tin Mine in Cornwall, where miners masterfully maneuver through narrow tunnels with unwavering focus – drill at its rawest form. On Training Ship Arethusa in Greenhithe, Kent, young cadets learn the compass drill, honing their navigation skills while embracing discipline on the high seas. In Lambeth HQ LFB150's annual review, firefighters showcase their mastery over hoses during intense training drills – a display of bravery and preparedness. Knotting Class aboard Training Ship Arethusa in Greenhithe sees aspiring sailors perfect intricate knots with meticulous attention to detail – an essential skill for life at sea. Blacksmiths forge metal outside their workshop, employing rhythmic movements that embody both strength and precision – a true embodiment of the art of drill. At Brigade HQ SE1, LCC-LFB recruits undergo rigorous fireman training drills under expert guidance – preparing them for any challenge that may come their way. GLC-London Fire Brigade's Clerkenwell fire station serves as a hub for dedicated firefighters who engage in relentless drills to ensure swift response times during emergencies. A firefighter practices hook ladder maneuvers with utmost concentration - mastering this crucial technique can mean saving lives when every second counts. Levant Mine witnesses skilled miners executing flawless drilling techniques on July 11th, 1894 - showcasing generations of expertise passed down through time. Amidst history's tapestry lies Rip Bits factory in Sheffield during World War II; female workers embrace drills as they contribute to Britain's war effort with unwavering dedication (1941).