Where's The Fire?

During an air raid in 1940 (or maybe 41),at age fourteen, I was the youngest member of a team of Firewatchers stationed in Elmore Street, Islington,N.1. (Off Essex Road.) It was a bad night. The German bombers were raining incendiaries on us like confetti at a wedding, and high explosives.
In Essex Road at that time, there was a bottling factory with the name of Probyns. Their loading yard had it's large entry and exit gates in Elmore Street.
On this particular night, Probyn's yard was burning brightly having received a fair share of the fire bombs. Our brave team of firewatchers pushed at the gates but they wouldn't give. Somehow, a makeshift battering ram appeared, and the team took a good many backward strides in preparation for the forward "Charge". As the charge commenced, the Probyn's nightwatchman released the locks holding the gates.
I have a lasting memory of our gallant firewatchers disappearing,at a gallop through the gates,uttering cries of triumph;or was it dismay?
Pure "Laurel and Hardy"

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