The Volunteer reserve—was mobilised at the commencement of the hostilities, but i view of the heavy demands upon the Brigade and the fact that the Chinese personnel could not be used in the normal manner in the areas occupied by the Japanese Forces, the Unit was later augmented by a Special Ambulance and Transport Section of 34 foreign volunteer members, Deep appreciation is recorded of the valuable assistance rendered by the members of the Reserve and the newly-formed Section, whose services were essential to the efficient working of the Brigade. For long periods they were on continuous duty in the stations day and night, often at considerable sacrifice to themselves, re-spending to fires and ambulance calls (usually in the Northern and Eastern areas); and the manner in which they performed their duties, which were often hazardous and arduous in the extreme, is deserving of the highest praise, The community owes them an enormous debt of gratitude, Appreciation of Assistance Given The thanks of the Brigade are due to the Commandant and personnel of the French Fire Brigade, who, apart from giving active aid on a number of occasions, repeatedly gave assurance of their readiness to assist if any emergency should necessitate their being called; to the Police Department for their ce-operation and, in particular, for the assistance which they rendered the Brigade in connection with operations in the Northern and Eastern districts; to the staff of the Shanghai Waterworks, Power, Gas and Telephone Companies, the Commandant and personnel of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and other Defence Forces, the staff of the Public Works Department, Public Health Department and other Municipal Departments, for their valuable ce-operation; and to the personnel of the various hospitals, whose ce-operation was largely responsible for the efficient running of the Emergency Ambulance Service, Tribute to Brigade Personnel Finally, appreciation is expressed the loyalty of all officers and firemen and of the praise manner in which all ranks performed their duties during a most trying and exacting period. Although there must have been times when their physical endurance and courage were strained almost to breaking point, the spirit and morale were excellent throughout, spect.
As far as known to the Brigade, there were five instances of mains being burst or damaged—three by direct shell hits and two by aerial bombs,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.