Post ww2 ( World War 2 ) East Ham County Borough Fire Brigade was formed in 1948 when the N.F.S ( National Fire Service 1941 to 1947 ) handed back fire control to regional county & county borough fire brigades. East Ham was a small brigade, just 1 fire station covering 5 square miles of the East London area. There are variations of this cap badge being the rear sail of the ship having a short or long white sail. There is also a very rare BLUE sail in existence, a very small batch issued in the late 1940's with the rear sail in blue enamel. 
The variation we have here manufactured by London Badge & Button Co is in excellent condition, the enamel centre fixed to the standard fully pressed London Badge Home Office star, both cap fixing lugs attached to the rear of the star.