These lamps were made by Wolf in England, modified by Abbot and Birks in London, and used by the British Gas Board. They used to install them in a fixed gas line, and the wick for oil burning was replaced by a gas jet, with a spark-ignition inside the flameproof enclosure. This was manually operated via the white button on the side. As you see, one is complete, one has the ignition missing, and they are sitting on a small wooden plinth. The plinths have been added by me for effect. The third one has had the gas line and ignition removed, and some very clever fitter and turner have manufactured a tank and wick to convert it to oil. This could have been done to put under the bonnet of their emergency vehicle, to keep the engine and oil warm in the winter, and ensure an easy start. Or, possibly he sneaked it home to keep his outside toilet warm and prevent burst pipes. Their official use was to be installed in the control gear of the gasometers. They had compressed air-lines, which if not correctly drained, had water in them that would freeze. This would prevent their customers from frying the bacon at breakfast time, and the kids would have to go to school without their ‘dripping’ and bread sandwiches.
For anybody who has never seen a gasometer, every geriatric cricket fan will remember the famous one in Surrey, at Kennington Oval. In those days, the BBC only had one camera at a test match, and it was facing the gasometer, which would rise and fall at mealtimes, according to how hungry the customers were.
I don’t remember seeing Bradman bat in front of it, as we didn’t have TV then, but I remember watching Lindsey Hasset bat in front of it, and, few will believe this, bowl too.
– Information provided by Bosuns Mate.