Family's surprise over honour to brave WW2 heroine
LFBAs the country marks VE Day, the family of a woman who risked her life as a firefighter during the Blitz have said her legacy had surprised them.
During World War Two, Gillian Tanner, then aged 19, joined the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) and drove petrol through the burning streets to supply fire engines during some of the most intense bombing London had ever seen.
Her bravery earned her the George Medal, one of the highest honours for civilian gallantry.
In recognition of her bravery, London Fire Brigade (LFB) named a boat after her in 2022 while a leadership training scheme has borne her name since 2021 - something her family were not aware of until they recently visited the boat.
"I didn't realise the connection and the value people put on her and what she'd done until today," her granddaughter Mandy Jones said.
London Fire BrigadeWhen the war broke out in 1939, Ms Tanner drove 95 miles (150km) to London from her home in Cirencester to see what she could do to help. She joined the AFS and became a driver.
Speaking in 2005, Ms Tanner said: "I went there as a driver. There were two of us and we drove the station officer wherever he wanted to go. As soon as I was 21, I put in for a heavy goods licence and passed."
During the Blitz, Ms Tanner drove a petrol lorry, delivering fuel that ensured fire engines could reach emergencies across the city. This often included navigating London during night-time air raids.
PA MediaIn December 1940, during a bombing raid which became known as the Second Great Fire of London due to the intense destruction caused, Ms Tanner was delivering petrol to fire engines around Bermondsey docks.
This involved driving a huge lorry, with no power steering, headlights, or streetlights through streets with huge craters.
Patrick Goulbourne, assistant commissioner at LFB, said: "During the most difficult times during the war, she was out supplying our fire engine so it could respond to London throughout the war, to make sure that we were able to keep those people [safe] and respond as much as we can."
He added: "Her acts of bravery are testament and stand true as some of the values we hold dear today."
'Bit of danger'
Originally from Gloucestershire, Ms Tanner was into "anything with speed and a bit of danger attached," her granddaughter told BBC London.
Ms Jones added that her grandmother was a "strong-willed and determined" person who would "get on and do it" when there was work to be done.
After the war, Ms Tanner continued with adrenaline-inducing activities, including racing cars in Monte Carlo and training racehorses.
She died in 2016.
'Inspiration to us all'
Station Commander Paul Jarrett said: "Everywhere we go, we aspire to uphold Gillian Tanner's values of service, bravery and calmness under pressure.
"It's an honour to provide her family with a glimpse into Gillian's legacy at the Brigade. She still serves as an inspiration to us all."
Last month, her family visited Lambeth River Fire Station for a trip along the Thames on Fireboat Tanner, named in recognition of Gillian's heroic actions during the war.
The boat, which was introduced to LFB's fleet along with another one in 2023, is twice as fast as the previous vessels, capable of reaching speeds of forty knots.
As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats have a hydraulic crane for conducting rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera.
Since their introduction, the fireboats have been deployed more than 300 times.
Gillian's story is showcased as part of the London Fire Brigade's Museum.
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