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 variation in existence.
This variation is the that rare blue sail cap badge in excellent condition, the enamel centre fixed to the standard economy issue lined Home Office star by a thin brass pin, both cap fixing lugs intact to the rear of the cap badge. This and another from the same very small batch were issued to a London fireman who joined the A.F.S in 1939, moved into the N.F.S during ww2 and operating from Plumstead Fire Station. He moved to H.Q following promotion and joined the East Ham Fire Brigade when formed in 1948 serving through the 1950's. Purchased from his son who gave me the history of them. Couldn't believe my luck....2 from the same batch and in reasonably mint condition.