The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) was created in 1938 to supplement the regular London Fire Brigade. Some 21,000 volunteer firefighters would be recruited, all of whom had to undergo 60 hours basic training. Here AFS firemen are undergoing 'Knots and Lines' training. All firemen were expected to be able to tie up to 24 different knots, in both daylight and in the dark. Here, Section Leader Leppard demonstrates the correct method of tying a knot, watched by four trainees.