anyone recognize this occupation ??

[barryd]

Only one of the Brentford firemen has a jacket without the two rows of buttons. He looks like the senior officer. But did firemen have "a stripe" like an army lance-corporal which is on the man next to the senior officer on the unidentified photograph. I believe that our photograph was taken prior to WWII. Its starting to look like firemen. But no women could be another clue as to a photograph taken prior to WWII.

[Skoosh]

Presumably the guy in the souwester was working at the tower, draining hoses?

Skoosh.

[known_unknowns]

Query to *alveleyhistorian*. Is the place you mention in your screen-name anything to do with Alveley, Shropshire.?
I ask because there's the River Severn nearby and my further thoughts were that these could be Severn River pilots.

[Mike in Cumbria]

Interesting - there are barely two of those coats that are identical in terms of buttons, collar, cut etc. It's a bit like a spot the difference competition!  Their armbands are also on different arms - it all looks decidedly non-military.

[jess5athome]

To be honest it does look as if someone in the background has shouted "Come on lads! they want a group photograph" and they have put on the coats etc for the picture, the "Main man" so to speak, sat in the middle with the walking stick looks more professional, perhaps he was on some kind of inspection visit.
Frank.

[Mike in Cumbria]

What is on the back of the card?

[Mike in Cumbria]

My guess is coastguards. It's an official uniform and  it's by the sea (or water at least).

[NDRFT]

Hi
I have been a serving member of the fire service for 32 yrs and associated with the service since birth (59yrs) ( my dad was a fireman) and I do not think these may be firemen.
I would venture that the uniforms may have a European flavor with the horizontal arm band and design of the cap badge.

[Sinann]

The horse shoe is hanging downwards which isn't the way it's usually hung in the British Isles.