WORLD WAR I.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

A collection of wartime and family photograph albums of E. F. Fullford, a soldier in the London Electrical Engineers. An illuminating set of albums recording one man's service in the volunteer unit that pioneered the use of searchlights for anti-aircraft defence. The photographs show him on guard throughout London, with many shots of his equipment and aerial images of the stations.The London Electrical Engineers were formed in 1897 to reinforce the Royal Engineers. On the outbreak of the First World War they were sent to defend the coast from raiders, but the commencement of Zeppelin air raids in 1915 meant they were recalled further inland. In 1916 a searchlight belt was established from Sussex to Northumberland and surrounding London, aiming to force enemy aircraft to fly higher and lower their accuracy, or to guide friendly aircraft to safe landing areas.Little is known about E. F. Fullford beyond the information gleaned from these albums. He joined up on 30 November 1915 and was posted to Kenton. He was then transferred to Bromley, Chessington, Morden, and Camberwell before being demobilized on 31 December 1918. The photographs show him and his comrades operating the searchlights, carrying out sentry duty at the bases, and performing their daily chores. The searchlights he used are identified as the 120 centimetre model, controlled using a wheel at the end of a long forearm stretching away from the projector itself, allowing the operator to stand outside the lamp's glare.

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