London Ambulance Service’s WWII ambulance displayed alongside iconic Spitfire

Lucky museum visitors had the chance to see the only wartime ambulance to survive the Blitz displayed alongside an iconic Spitfire aircraft last weekend

Picture credit: Tony O’Regan

The 1935 Talbot ambulance was transported from the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection to the Imperial War Museum Duxford to take part in its History Festival.

Enthusiasts and experts gathered in Cambridgeshire for a weekend dedicated to the Second World War, and heard about the role of the Talbot ambulance on the home front.

Craig Henty, Head of the Historic Collection, said: “It was very poignant to see these two icons of the war displayed together.

“Both played such an important part in our history – one of the fighter planes that defended Britain’s skies from the air and one of the ambulances that helped to rescue and save lives at home.”

Hundreds of visitors to IWM Duxford were able to climb inside the ambulance, which is fully stocked with original medical equipment and supplies.

Craig and his team of volunteers shared stories about the daring dashes made by those driving the ambulances during the Second World War.

Craig added: “People were able to imagine what it must have been like to drive one of these ambulances. Then the drivers were volunteers – mostly women – and they were incredibly brave.

“They would race through the blackout streets of London, as incendiary bombs were falling, to rescue people from the rubble of destroyed buildings.”

The ambulance was placed next to Supermarine Spitfire Mark 1a, which also saw remarkable service during the Second World War and was restored a decade ago.

IWM History Festival organiser Maria Murphy said: “The IWM History Festival is a lovely opportunity for visitors to step back in time and absorb themselves in the sites and sounds of IWM Duxford, Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield.

“It was wonderful to see the 1935 Talbot ambulance on site for the weekend alongside the iconic Spitfire – a real treat for our visitors that helped make the festival such a special weekend.

The Talbot ambulance remained part of the London Ambulance Service fleet until the early 1950s. Since then it has featured in a number of TV and film productions.

Last weekend was the first time the Talbot has been on display since it was restored to roadworthy condition earlier this year. This was possible thanks to a public fundraising appeal and the expertise and help from members of the Talbot Owners Club.

The public will be able to meet Craig and see some of the Historic Collection at the London Life Hike, the London Ambulance Charity’s flagship event. The family-friendly walk takes place on 27 September and you can sign up to join here.

You can find out more about the London Ambulance Service Historic Collection here.