DAHLQUIST CYCLEWORKS
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      • 1890s Columbus Bicycle
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      • More American Bicycles >
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      • Even More American Bicycles >
        • 1923 Iver Johnson Model 90
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        • Marshall Field Tricycle
        • 1930s/40s Drysdale Special Track
        • 1936 Schwinn Liberty First Generation Klunker
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        • 1937 Schwinn Paramount Track
        • 1938 Shelby Hiawatha Airflo Rat Rod
        • 1939 Mead Ranger
        • 1939 Schwinn Superior Sports-Tourist
        • 1939 Shelby Airflo
        • 1940s Schwinn New World (Admiral) Track
      • Additional American Bicycles >
        • 1943 Dayton Military Bicycle
        • 1949 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist
        • 1954 Mead Ranger/Schwinn New World
        • 1956 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist
        • Mead Coventry Flyer
        • 1972 Schwinn Super Sport Custom Coffee Bike
        • 1983 Trek 850
        • 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Custom
      • Further American Bicycles >
        • French Gray Mead Crusader
        • Napoleon and Josephine
        • 1987 Schwinn Paramountain
        • Iver Johnson Lightweight Touring Mens' & Ladies'
        • Schwinn Paramount Tricycle
        • Tyger's Teesdale
      • Extra American Bicycles >
        • 1983 Moulton-Made John Howard
        • 1986 Schwinn Sierra
        • 1986 Schwinn Mirada Mixte
        • 1992 Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S. Buell Mountain Bike
        • 1997 Rivendell Road Standard
        • 1981 Jeffrey Bock Light Touring
        • 1981 Trek 950
        • 9/11 Yellow Schwinn Tribute Bike
        • 2017 Rivendell Appaloosa
    • American Balloon-Tire Bicycles >
      • 1935 Schwinn Excelsior Double-Diamond Clunker
      • 1940s Schwinn Excelsior Clunker
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      • Roadmaster Rat Rod
  • Austrian Bicycles
    • 1948 Norwegian Styria
  • Belgian Bicycles
    • 1930s Delfa
    • 1940s Sieber
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  • British Bicycles
    • 1895 Humber Path Racer
    • 1897 Humber Tandem
    • 1907 Full-Nickel BSA Path Racer
    • 1910 Raleigh Superbe Cross Frame
    • 1911 New Hudson Imperial
    • Unique & Unity Juvenile Bicycle
    • WWI Humber British Army Postal Service Bicycle
    • 1920s Hercules
    • 1920s New Hudson Cross Frame
    • Hercules NFS & Humber Messenger Bicycle
    • More British Bicycles >
      • 1930s Royal Enfield Roadster
      • 1930s Special Sunbeam
      • 1932 Royal Sunbeam
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      • 1936 Hetchins Brilliant No. 2
      • 1940s Maclean Featherweight
      • Robin Hood Camping Bicycle
      • 1947 Humber Roadster
      • 1947 Raleigh Loop Frame
      • 1949 Paris Tour de France
    • Even More British Bicycles >
      • Bicycle Institute of America Mystery Racer
      • The Double Bar Humber Number
      • 1952 Humber Sports
      • 1952 Carlton Silver Clubman
      • 1967 Marshall Field Raleigh 5 Speed Sprint
      • 1970s Bob Jackson
      • Ephgrave No. 1
      • Dahlquist Cycleworks Delivery
      • Teens Era BSA Path Racer
  • Canadian Bicycles
    • 1926 CCM Motor Bicycle
    • 1940s CCM Flyer Track Bicycle
    • 1976 Marinoni "Quebec" Special
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    • Tiananmen Square Tribute Bicycle "Forever"
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    • Netherlands Raleigh Prestige
  • French Bicycles
    • 1903 Peugeot Roadster
    • 1903-1910 Tour de France Racer
    • 1910/Teens J.B. Louvet Truss Frame Racing Bicycle
    • 1920s L' Automotion
    • Automoto Champion du Monde
    • Bobet's Bicycle
    • 1961 Rene Herse Touring
    • Bobet Cyclo-Pedia Touring Bicycle
    • Blue Bobet
    • 1955 Peugeot PHX-10
    • 1960s/70s Peugeot UO-8 Juvenile
    • Motobecane Wine Bike
  • German Bicycles
    • 1939 Durkopp Track Bicycle
    • 1940 Achilles Gents & Ladies Roadsters
    • 1940s/50s Durkopp Diana Sport
    • 1940s/50s Durkopp Diana Loop Frame
    • Repurposed WWII German Military
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    • Bianchi Military Bicycle
    • 1940s Bottecchia
    • 1941 Legnano Tipo Campione Del Mondo
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      • 1950s Fausto Coppi
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    • 1967 Torpado
    • 1970s Eddie Merckx Colnago
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    • Klunker Dan
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      • What I'll See on that Bicycle Ride
      • 1940
      • The Aging Athlete Reinvents Himself for John Howard
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    • 8/26/222 Auburn Vintage Bike Show
    • I Sold My Rat Rod
    • John Howard Visits Missouri
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1930s Hercules National Fire Service & 1940 Humber Air Raid Precaution Messenger Bicycles

While teaching at a community college in Iowa during the mid-nineties it was my good fortune to have as an office mate a crusty but lovable old Brit by the name of Peter Franklin-White. A former dancer in the Royal Ballet of London, Peter and I were often the odd men out among the technical-minded faculty and students. To entertain one another, we shared stories. Peter knew of my love of bicycles, and provided the bicycles you see here with a story of great importance.
Peter Franklin-White was a boy during World War II, and vividly recalled for me the bombing of London by the Germans, commonly referred to as "The Blitz": fifty-seven nights of bombing beginning on September 7, 1940. He told me he would often see his fellow countrymen and women being pulled from the rubble, some living, some dead. He remembered the shrill cry of the sirens, the deafening explosions, and fires raging throughout the city. Through this chaos he would ride a rod-brake bicycle similar to the ones you see here. He claimed that he had become quite adept at maneuvering his bike through the debris-choked streets of London, often able to "jump" the smaller bomb craters by pulling up on the handlebars and pedaling for all he was worth.

Most young men, slightly older than Peter, had joined the army by the early forties, and firefighters needed support. Toward this end, the National Fire Service (NFS) was created in August 1941, an amalgamation of the War time National Auxiliary Fire Service and the local authority fire brigades. Likewise, the Air Raid Precaution (ARP) comprising a number of organizations, was instituted in 1937 to protect civilians from the danger of air raids. ARP volunteers included wardens, messengers, ambulance drivers, rescue parties, and liaison with police and fire brigades.

My friend Colin Kirsch, creator of the onlinebicyclemuseum in England, describes the role of the ARP Warden: “In the Blitz the warden was to be the eyes and ears of the local Civil Defence Control Centres, patrolling the streets and controlling ‘incidents,’ the bureaucratic euphemism invented to describe every sort of disaster inflicted on the civilian population by an air raid. It was the Warden’s report of an ‘incident’ that set the Civil Defence mechanism in motion, summoning stretcher parties, fire engines, heavy rescue units and mobile canteens—all the services required to care for the injured, comfort the survivors and dispose of the dead.

A corps of ARP volunteers…(were comprised of) Air Raid Wardens, Observers (Plane Spotters), Fire Watchers, Rescue Workers, Messengers…An ARP Bicycle Messenger had to ride his bike to the local ARP Wardens post after an air raid ‘all-clear’ siren had sounded in order to deliver messages to other posts and Civil Defence control as directed by the Wardens. That could be tricky—the all-clear siren was sometimes presumptuous—and Bicycle Messengers were sometimes killed in air-raids…”

In honor of my friend, Peter Franklin-White, I have built two British bicycles as they might have appeared during World War II. The first is a 1930s Hercules, as ridden by a member of England's National Fire Service; the second is a 1940 Humber, outfitted as an ARP Messenger’s bicycle. 

When I found these bikes many years ago, both machines retained their original "War Grade" Dunlop tires (since replaced in order to make the bikes rideable). I have added authentic Lucas "Masklite" lamps to each bicycle, conforming to World War II blackout regulations. On the Humber's rear rack you will see a NFS Fire Brigade axe marked "Chillington/Arpax," a tool used by first responders to clear paths and free people from the rubble. (Note the rubber handle to prevent electrocution should one strike a live wire). The blue helmet is marked “NFS,” denoting a member of the fire brigade; the ARP helmet belongs to the Messenger. The tool bag hanging from the Hercules' top tube is a 1941 Brooks.

Seven thousand of the combined forces of the NFS, ARP, and other Civil Defence workers were killed during the war.

Picture
1930s/40s Hercules National Fire Service Bicycle & 1940 Humber Air Raid Precaution Messenger Bicycle ©Daniel Dahlquist
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  • Home
  • Bicycle Stories
    • Story of America in 2 Bicycles
  • American Bicycles
    • American Bicycles >
      • 1890s Columbus Bicycle
      • 1892-93 Stover
      • 1893 Elliott Hickory
      • More American Bicycles >
        • 1895 Columbia Model 45 C.A. Fudge
        • 1895 Gormully & Jeffery Rambler No. 12
        • Patee Track Bicycle
        • 1895 Patee Gents'
        • 1895 Patee Ladies' Loop Frame
        • 1895 Sterling (As Ridden by Bobby Walthour)
        • 1896 Buffalo Soldier Bicycle
        • 1897 American-Made Humber Roadster
        • 1897 Crescent No. 9
        • 1899 Sterling Shaft-Drive
        • 1899 Monarch
        • 1900 Gormully & Jeffery American Bicycle Co. Rambler
        • 1902 Columbia Model 92
        • 1902 Sears Kenwood
      • Some More American Bicycles >
        • Teddy Roosevelt 1904 Campaign Bicycle
        • 1907 Cruso Double Bar Semi-Racer
        • 1908 Tribune Blue Streak Racer
        • 1909 Sears Peerless
        • 1912 Elgin King
        • 1914 Crown
        • 1915 Sears Chief Motorbike
        • 1915 Truss Frame
        • 1916 Mead Ranger Coaster Brake Special
        • 1919 Haverford Black Beauty 'Pacer' Arch Bar
        • Tyger's 1918 Mead Racer
        • 1918 Columbia Military Model
        • 1920s Mead Ranger Motorbike
        • 1923 Mead Racer
      • Even More American Bicycles >
        • 1923 Iver Johnson Model 90
        • 1926 Columbia 50th Anniversary Motorbike
        • Supplee Hardware Suhaco Special Crown Wannabe
        • 1920s/30s Greyhound Semi-Racer
        • Marshall Field Tricycle
        • 1930s/40s Drysdale Special Track
        • 1936 Schwinn Liberty First Generation Klunker
        • 1936/37 Iver Johnson Model 90
        • 1937 Schwinn Paramount Track
        • 1938 Shelby Hiawatha Airflo Rat Rod
        • 1939 Mead Ranger
        • 1939 Schwinn Superior Sports-Tourist
        • 1939 Shelby Airflo
        • 1940s Schwinn New World (Admiral) Track
      • Additional American Bicycles >
        • 1943 Dayton Military Bicycle
        • 1949 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist
        • 1954 Mead Ranger/Schwinn New World
        • 1956 Schwinn Paramount Sports-Tourist
        • Mead Coventry Flyer
        • 1972 Schwinn Super Sport Custom Coffee Bike
        • 1983 Trek 850
        • 1985 Schwinn Voyageur Custom
      • Further American Bicycles >
        • French Gray Mead Crusader
        • Napoleon and Josephine
        • 1987 Schwinn Paramountain
        • Iver Johnson Lightweight Touring Mens' & Ladies'
        • Schwinn Paramount Tricycle
        • Tyger's Teesdale
      • Extra American Bicycles >
        • 1983 Moulton-Made John Howard
        • 1986 Schwinn Sierra
        • 1986 Schwinn Mirada Mixte
        • 1992 Schwinn Paramount S.A.S.S. Buell Mountain Bike
        • 1997 Rivendell Road Standard
        • 1981 Jeffrey Bock Light Touring
        • 1981 Trek 950
        • 9/11 Yellow Schwinn Tribute Bike
        • 2017 Rivendell Appaloosa
    • American Balloon-Tire Bicycles >
      • 1935 Schwinn Excelsior Double-Diamond Clunker
      • 1940s Schwinn Excelsior Clunker
      • Scotty Bandito Cowboy Bike
      • Roadmaster Rat Rod
  • Austrian Bicycles
    • 1948 Norwegian Styria
  • Belgian Bicycles
    • 1930s Delfa
    • 1940s Sieber
    • 1950s Jean Aerts
  • British Bicycles
    • 1895 Humber Path Racer
    • 1897 Humber Tandem
    • 1907 Full-Nickel BSA Path Racer
    • 1910 Raleigh Superbe Cross Frame
    • 1911 New Hudson Imperial
    • Unique & Unity Juvenile Bicycle
    • WWI Humber British Army Postal Service Bicycle
    • 1920s Hercules
    • 1920s New Hudson Cross Frame
    • Hercules NFS & Humber Messenger Bicycle
    • More British Bicycles >
      • 1930s Royal Enfield Roadster
      • 1930s Special Sunbeam
      • 1932 Royal Sunbeam
      • Humber Bermuda
      • 1936 Hetchins Brilliant No. 2
      • 1940s Maclean Featherweight
      • Robin Hood Camping Bicycle
      • 1947 Humber Roadster
      • 1947 Raleigh Loop Frame
      • 1949 Paris Tour de France
    • Even More British Bicycles >
      • Bicycle Institute of America Mystery Racer
      • The Double Bar Humber Number
      • 1952 Humber Sports
      • 1952 Carlton Silver Clubman
      • 1967 Marshall Field Raleigh 5 Speed Sprint
      • 1970s Bob Jackson
      • Ephgrave No. 1
      • Dahlquist Cycleworks Delivery
      • Teens Era BSA Path Racer
  • Canadian Bicycles
    • 1926 CCM Motor Bicycle
    • 1940s CCM Flyer Track Bicycle
    • 1976 Marinoni "Quebec" Special
  • Chinese Bicycles
    • Tiananmen Square Tribute Bicycle "Forever"
  • Dutch Bicycles
    • Netherlands Raleigh City Bike
    • Netherlands Raleigh Prestige
  • French Bicycles
    • 1903 Peugeot Roadster
    • 1903-1910 Tour de France Racer
    • 1910/Teens J.B. Louvet Truss Frame Racing Bicycle
    • 1920s L' Automotion
    • Automoto Champion du Monde
    • Bobet's Bicycle
    • 1961 Rene Herse Touring
    • Bobet Cyclo-Pedia Touring Bicycle
    • Blue Bobet
    • 1955 Peugeot PHX-10
    • 1960s/70s Peugeot UO-8 Juvenile
    • Motobecane Wine Bike
  • German Bicycles
    • 1939 Durkopp Track Bicycle
    • 1940 Achilles Gents & Ladies Roadsters
    • 1940s/50s Durkopp Diana Sport
    • 1940s/50s Durkopp Diana Loop Frame
    • Repurposed WWII German Military
  • Italian Bicycles
    • Bianchi Military Bicycle
    • 1940s Bottecchia
    • 1941 Legnano Tipo Campione Del Mondo
    • 1949 Gloria Garibaldina Extra
    • More Italian Bicycles >
      • 1950s Fausto Coppi
      • 1950s Legnano Tipo Roma Track Bicycle
      • Gino Bartali Team Bike
      • 1961 Bianchi Specialissima - T. Johnson's
    • Even More Italian Bicycles >
      • 1961 Olmo Special
      • 1961 Bianchi Rekord
      • Early 1960s Legnano Gran Premio
      • 1950s Legnano Tipo Roma Road Bicycle
  • Italian Bicycles II
    • 1967 Torpado
    • 1970s Eddie Merckx Colnago
    • 1970-71 Pogliaghi Italcorse
    • 1974 Carlsbad CA Masi Gran Criterium
    • 1976 Pogliaghi Selection
  • Japanese Bicycles
    • Miyata Mister
    • Kyokurei Post-War Roadster
    • Post War Maruto Deluxe "High Class" Roadster
    • 1960s Five Speed Fujicycle
    • 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur
    • 1973 Fuji S-10-S Special Racer
    • 1974 Schwinn Voyageur II
    • 1985 Fuji Opus III
    • 1987 Team Fuji Funny Bike
    • 1987 Bridgestone T 700 Atlantis Prototype
    • 1988 Team Fuji Time Trial
  • Klunker Bicycles
    • Klunker Dan
  • Swedish Bicycles
    • 1930s/40s Hermes
    • 1947 Crescent Roadster
  • Scottish Bikes
    • 1959 Flying Scot
  • Poetry
    • A bientot mon ami
    • Bicycle Haiku
    • Bicycle at Rest
    • Bill Harley and Major Taylor
    • Four Sunflowers
    • ​Mile-a-Minute Murphy
    • Neruda: Wrong on Bicycles
    • Tribute to Tyger
    • On a Mountain Road in Virginia
    • More Poetry >
      • Forever Bicycles
      • The Humber Chainring
      • What I'll See on that Bicycle Ride
      • 1940
      • The Aging Athlete Reinvents Himself for John Howard
  • Events
    • 6/11/2022 Dream Team Presentation
    • 7/19/22 25th Anniversary
    • 8/26/222 Auburn Vintage Bike Show
    • I Sold My Rat Rod
    • John Howard Visits Missouri
  • About
  • Contact