The Bells Go Down

A light-hearted gambler who avoids work, Tommy joins the AFS and quickly becomes a bold, impulsive presence within the crew. He lifts morale with humor while confronting real danger at the docks and fires. His greyhound pup Short Head embodies his fickle luck in life and racing.

A newcomer to the East End who has just lost his job, Bob joins the AFS with Tommy and postpones his wedding to Nan. Practical and loyal, he bonds with the crew as they train and fight fires. His relationship with Nan grounds the story in personal stakes and family.

Nan becomes pregnant and experiences fainting spells, forming a close friendship with Ma Turk. She navigates wartime life with quiet strength, supporting Bob and adjusting to the upheavals around her. Her presence adds a domestic dimension to the firefighters’ perilous world.

Ted's girlfriend who has joined the brigade as a dispatcher, Susie uses dancing as a way to provoke Ted’s jealousy. Her presence highlights personal tensions in relationships strained by wartime duty. She remains connected to the action through the fire station and the people around it.

A capable fireman with the London Fire Brigade who earns respect for his leadership and calm under pressure. He balances his dedication to duty with his personal life, including his relationships with Nan and Susie. He anchors the crew through the rising dangers of the Blitz.

Ma Robbins runs the Hopvine with her husband and shows disapproval of Susie’s dancing, reflecting a guardian role for the community. She supports her family and neighbors, offering warmth and steady presence amid turmoil. Her perspective embodies the protective, communal spirit of the East End.

Pa Robbins helps run the Hopvine, serving as the steady, pragmatic backbone of the family business. He represents the older generation’s endurance and loyalty to the locals who rely on the Hopvine for news, shelter, and morale. He stands with his wife and community through the night-time alarms and fires.

Ma Turk is a shrewd, caring neighbor who inadvertently influences events by feeding Short Head doughnuts, affecting Tommy’s race plans. She is a strong community figure who supports Nan and befriends the other women at a time of need. Her practical nature helps keep the local street dynamics steady.

A small-time thief who inadvertently joins the AFS and competes with the law, Sam remains street-smart and adaptable. He continues to chase barrels of Guinness while forming bonds with the crew and proving his loyalty under fire. His unlikely heroism culminates in a daring rescue during a river incident.

An Eastchapel Police Constable who doggedly pursues Sam, representing the strict law outside the fire crews. He ends up in peril during a river rescue, illustrating the danger faced not only by firefighters but by those who enforce order. His arc intersects with Sam’s in the chaotic wartime urban landscape.

A crusty, capable District Officer who recognizes Ted’s potential and places him and others into key roles. He leads with a practical mindset and commands respect from the station crews. In the story’s climactic events, the hospital fire and building collapse implicate his fate alongside Chief leadership.