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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: wilkybob on Wednesday 27 December 06 20:49 GMT (UK)
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I have a list I've done as part of my research into firefighters killed in the line of duty, or as a consequence of their duties as a fireman. Around 2,000 on my list.
The list goes back as far as 6th January 1801.
If anyone needs details of any firemen (firefighters) who have died in the past please let me know and I will be happy to forward any details.
Specific names please if possible.
Most have
Name
Brigade Served
Date died
and where/ how killed
Many have addresses
Just let me know and I will do my best.
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Hi,
That is a lovely offer and I'll bear it in mind. I often write articles about firefighters so you could be a useful contact. My father was a firefighter but luckily for me, he didn't die during his service.
Cheers, PP
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Look forward to helping Princess.
It's incidents like the one I've added below that got me started.
You try an internet search and find nothing apart from the mention of a plaque high up a wall were it happened. ???
No names or details of those involved. Months of searching the CWWG site and eventually I found everyone. Then it was off to try and find details of almost 2,200 other firemen/firefighters who died as a result of being in that job. (I've now passed the 2,000 mark) :)
Old Palace L.C.C. School Poplar Bombed
During the war many schools were left empty due to children being evacuated to the country. The Old Palace LCC School in St. Leonards Street, Poplar, was one of these, and was commandeered war for use as Sub Fire Station 24U for firefighters of the Auxiliary Fire Service. On the night of Sunday April 20th 1941, Fire Service crews were standing by in anticipation of a heavy raid on the Capital. At precisely 1.53am, a land mine, dropped from a Luftwaffe bomber, scored a direct hit on the school. Thirty two firemen and two fire women were killed.
This was the largest loss of Fire Brigade personnel ever suffered in the history of the service in Britain.
AFS Firewoman (Telephonist) Hilda Dupree – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 21. Of 33 Warwick Road, Walthamstow, Essex.
Firewoman Winifred Alexandra Peters – London Fire Brigade
Died 20th April 1941 aged 39. Of 122 Canton Street
AFS Fireman Percy Charles Aitchison – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 27. Of 20 Copse Avenue, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Ronald Mark Bailey – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 25. of 81 Links Road, Tooting.
AFS Fireman Alan Charles Barber – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 26. Of 6 Fairford Close, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey.
AFS Fireman Earnest Reginald Beadle – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 211 Birkbeck Road, Beckenham.
AFS Fireman Kenneth John Bowles – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 27 Beckenham Road, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman John Coleman Burrell – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 35. Of 39 North Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
AFS Fireman Patrick Joseph Campbell – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 24. Of 39 Bannister House, Homerton
AFS Fireman Harry John Carden – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 29. Of 7 Mounthurst Road, Hayes, Bromley, Kent.
AFS Fireman Robert John Deans – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 28. Of 144 The Grove, West Wickham, Kent.
Killed at Old Palace L.C.C. School, St. Leonards Street, Poplar.
AFS Fireman Frank James Endean – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 36. Of 34 Aviemore Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Cecil Farley – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 43. Of 5 Linden Leas, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman George John Joseph Hall – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 43. Of 44 Warwick Road, Anerley, Kent.
AFS Messenger Bertie James Frederick Harris – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 17. Of 31 Brabazon Street,
AFS Fireman Leslie Thomas Healey– AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 15 Greenview Avenue, Shirley, Surrey.
AFS Despatch Rider Ernest Herbert Henly _ AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 19. Of 2 Grange Cottage, Silver Street, Kinton Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire.
AFS Fireman Sydney Bartholomew Jones – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 54 Harrogate Road, Hackney.
AFS Fireman Albert Victor Kite – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 36. Of 166 Village Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman John Francis Mead– AFS
Died 20th April 1941 aged 29. Of 39 Christie Road, Hackney.
AFS Fireman Vernon Joseph Middleditch – AFS
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 220 Hunders Lane, Darlington, Co. Durham.
AFS Fireman Alfred Edward Minter – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 46. Of 48 Aylesford Avenue, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 11 Ash Grove, West Wickham, Kent
AFS Fireman Frederick George Parcell – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 28 Love Lane, South Norwood, Surrey.
AFS Fireman Martin Charles Parfett – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 296 Pickhurst Rise, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman William Charles Plant – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 26. Of 22 Sultan Street, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Cyril Bertram Porter – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 31 Clinton Road, Forest Gate, Essex.
AFS Fireman William Thomas Rashbrook – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 133 Chatsworth Road, Clapton.
AFS Leading Fireman Leonard Roots – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 10 Avenue Court, Avenue Road, Anerley, Kent.
AFS Fireman Albert Alfred Saville – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 35. Of 54 Harrowgate Road, Hackney.
Station Officer Richard William Sinstadt – London Fire Brigade
Died 20th April 1941 aged 46. Of 74 Beccles Drive, Barking, Essex.
AFS Fireman Edgar William Vick – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 38. Of 234 Eden Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Leading Fireman Walter John Woodland – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 41. Of 68 Links Way, Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Leading Fireman Herbert Charles Wotton – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 78 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent.
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Wilkybob,
Yes, I had heard about this incident and strangely enough, my father served as a Fireman in the Poplar area during WW2 at Burdett Road and Brunswick Road.
Would you mind PMing me your email address? It would be good to have you as a contact in my email address book where I can find you. Good to know you are around. I wrote an article about Firefighters in Your Family Tree Magazine not so long ago and mentioned the Firefighter's Memorial in London.
Cheers, PP
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hello, Princess Poppy & Wilkybob,
Forgive my joining in but I think that is a very worthwhile project, Wilkybob, firemen & women killed in the line of duty but have either of you come across as info. on the London Salvage Corps. ?
They were formed in the late 1800s in association with the Fire Brigade of the time, their job, as the name implies, was to enter burning pemises to salvage what goods they could. They had the same uniform, fire appliances, & their own fire stations. Their headquarters were in Watling St. City of London, a relation of mine by marriage was Station Officer of the Upper St , Islington, Station. I remember being taken to the station as, in the 1930s, they lived in the station, & I was allowed to clang the big brass bell on the engine.
I have looked at the records for the Corps which are in the Guildhall Library.
Meliora
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Hi Meliora,
Don't apologise for joining in - that's what a forum is for and it's good to hear your comments. :)
I don't know about WilkyBob but I hadn't heard of the London Salvage Corps but I bet my father was familiar with them. Very interesting and if I write any further articles I'll give them a mention. :)
Cheers, PP
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Hi, PP,
The usual reaction from people when I mention the Salvage Corps is "the What ?" as nobody ever seems to have heard of them. I believe, when they were first formed, in the middle to late 1800s, they were sponsored by several London Insurance companies, as, indeed, the Fire Brigade was. In the event of a fire, people had to read the large enamel sign erected on the side of the building to see just which firemen they had to call to deal with the fire. It was understandable the Insurance Companies wanted as many goods as possible pulled outof the burning buildings & warehouses in the docks to reduce any insurance claims.
My relation, an uncle by marriage, was in the Navy as a boy aged 19 & took place in the 2 relief attempts on Peking in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1890 & 1900. & when he left the Navy in 1901 joined the London Salvage Corps. It was well known that ex Navy men were more than welcome in their ranks. I think the Corps was disbanded in the 1940s.
Have a look at Google, there are several sites for the Corps
Try this one for a photo.
http://www.chrishodgephotos.co.uk/pixcma2/lccfire03.jpg
Meliora
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Hi Meliora,
Nice photo. Probably why many people aren't familiar with the London Salvage Corps is that if anyone saw this photo, they would just think they were firefighters because they look identical.
Yes, ex-naval men were always favoured candidates for Firemen because they were used to working at night, disciplined, used to being on watch and used to heights (amongst other fine qualities).
Yes, the marks you spoke of are firemarks and were placed in a prominent position on buildings so that the insurance company firefighters would know which insurance fire brigade was responsible for putting out the flames. There was quite a bit of rivalry between these various insurance firefighting brigades - thankfully we have a united firefighting force nowadays. :)
Thanks for your enlightening information on the London Salvage Corps.
Cheers, PP
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Hi to Meliora as well
The salvage corp did a great job, the were disbanded during the late 1980s in London. I was a fireman in London for 20 years and when they were disbanded, to rub salt into the wound, all firefighters were sent to the Salvage Corp HQ to be trained by them to supposedly do their job. It was a 2 day course :-[
As you say, they were paid for by insurance comanies and the idea was they would save insurance companies money by saving goods from damage. good for the large warehouses in the past in London, but not thought worthwhile in modern days. I can assure you they were missed when they were gone.
I've included Salvagemen alongside firemen in my research as they worked (and often Died) alongside firemen doing a very similar thing. Only they saved property, while firemen saved lives as well.
Salvagemen alongside firemen were lost in the 1960s in Glasgow, The Glasgow Salvage Corp was disbanded on the 1st of April 1984, see incident below
The Glasgow Whisky Bond Fire, Cheapside Street, Anderston, Glasgow
The firemen who died at Arbuckle, Smith & Co’s whisky bond warehouse in Cheapside Street, Anderston, Glasgow, were killed when a massive explosion blew out the whole side of the building, propelling hundreds of tons of masonry onto the men below. Three fire appliances were buried under the rubble in what became Britain’s worst peacetime fire service disaster. The fire was in a warehouse that was housing in excess of a million gallons of whisky and rum under one roof.
Fireman John Allen – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Fireman Christopher Boyle - Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Sub Officer James Calder – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960
Fireman Gordon Chapman – Strathclyde Fire Brigade
Died 28th March 1960
Fireman William Crockett – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960
Fireman Archibald Darrock – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960
Fireman Daniel Davidson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960
Fireman Alfred Dickinson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th march 1960
Fireman Alexander Grassie – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960
Salvageman Gordon McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Fireman Ian McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Fireman George McIntyre – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Sub Officer John McPherson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Leading Salvageman James McLellen – Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th March 1960.
Fireman Edward McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.
Salvageman James Mungall – Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th march 1960.
Superintendent Edward Murray Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th march 1960.
Salvageman William Oliver – Glasgow Salvage corps
Died 28th march 1960.
Fireman William Watson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th march 1960.
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Thanks, Wilkybob,
It is great to know the Salvage men were remembered as well, my uncle would have retired sometime around 1940 I think as he started in the corps in 1901. It is nice to know his son carried on the tradition by joining the Fire Brigade, I know he went to Swansea, Birmingham & Keighley but I don't know whether his sons carried on the tradition.
Carry on the good work,
Meliora
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Hi A friend has found some buttons in an old box, curious to know what they were from has asked friends. And we have come up with " buttons from a firemans tunic" there are 7 in all. On the reverse it says Superior quality, on the face it looks like 2 crossed hatchets with a helmet just below where the hatchets cross,
Can anyone help or recommend a site or place that would know.
Coppernob ??? :)
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Hi Coppernob
If the button is the same or similar to the image attached it is a standard firemans button from a firefan's tunic. These were used from 1800s right up until the 1930s. They would have been used in any part of the UK. Many makers made the same or very similar design, including both Gaunt and Firmin who were buton makers from London.
On a tunic you would have had 12 large buttons, about 1" in two rows down the front, with two smaller ones on the eppaulettes on the shoulder then two more small buttons in the small of the back of the tunic, and another two small on the breast pockets..
Hope this helps
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Wow ;D Wilkybob Thank you. The button is almost exact.
The detail on the top of the helmet is much plainer & the "guards" on the helmet are a bit longer & slimmer. So could that mean they are earlier or just a different county to yours. Thanks also for the extra info.
I knew the rootschatters would come up trumps. You have not failed me yet.
From happy Chatter Coppernob
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Glad to have helped,
A little more info then,
attached are similar buttons,
The Chrome is another UK button, the brass one is from Belguim, but the helmet on the Belgium one is a different type of helmet, and the axes have pointed ends and are compeatly different to UK axes.
The axes and helmet was just a very popular design and used by most UK brigades at one time or other.
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Hi Wilkybob Thanks for the extra info, the chrome one is the nearest tho, the ones I have look brass. If I can get my camers to work I will try to take a pic & post it. My friend is amazed that I had info for him today & if it is ok I would like to print the info & pics to show him.
Only thing is he doesn't know of any firefighters in his family. Mmm, Maybe that will be the next avenue to go down.
Coppernob ;D ;D
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If the ones you have are brass, then they are earlier buttons. If you have dull looking silver buttons then it is a fair chance they are silver. Many of the chrome were chromed over brass.
As to firefighters in the family I'm afaid I can only help with those that died as a result of being a firefighter, got details of over 2,000 of them.
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Oh gosh,I wasn't expecting you to research ancestors for my friend. I will That could mean footwork as he & his family are all local people. He was certainly impressed with the amount of information you gave me & in such a short space of time.
Are you adding fire fighters who died to your list from anywhere or are you being more specific. Because if my friend wants me to look further for him I may come across info that would interest you.
If you pm me your home e-mail I will gladly fwd anything I find in Suffolk.
Many thanks for your help from both of us C
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It's OK I realised you didn't expect me to look for your fireman, but if he did die on duty, then I'm the one who could possibly help.
I'm looking for literally any UK Fireman, firewoman or in modern terms any firefighter whose death could be attributed in some way to being a firefighter..
There is a Memorial in London with 2,200 names on it, but to me the names are only a very small part of the story. My list has name, addresses, ages, brigade served, where and how died, along with marital status and number of children left behind. If not done soon these memorials will just be a list of unknown names. I hope to get a "roll of honor" published with some of the stories of the incidents in which they died included along with other info if applicable, and hope to pass any monies made to charities. It's amazing how much help I'm now getting. The main problem is the title fireman covers a wide range of other jobs other than firefighting. Everything from ships boiler firemen, firemen in mines who were responsible for firing the explosives, firemen in mills who looked after furnaces, boilers, and other fire processes.I have to be careful and check every one.
Thanks for the offer, help always appreciated, especialy if someone see articles in local newspapers on firemens funerals as often they had a fire brigade send off with firemen uniformed at the funeral.
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Just in case you ever decide to expand Bob !! ::) ::)
Thought you may be interested in some in the US !!
http://www.toadspad.net/toad-muse.html
Annie :)
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Thanks Annie, but simply finding ones in the UK is bad enough, the US Fire Service loose more in a year than the UK does in 20 years. UK will do me ;)
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Hi Bob !
You probably already have this !! .... but when I saw it ( a few years ago ! ) it was very poignant !
http://www.poulton.info/familyhistory/war_memorial_8.htm
Annie
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Hi I would just like to say Thank you to you Wilkybob, for all the info on the Firemans buttons. My friend is very happy too but, does not need any more info as he found out the buttons were bought at a local auction & found in a box of bits & pieces as you do.
Coppernob ;D
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At least you now know where they came form, and they didn't lead too far up a blind alley ;)
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Hi Wilkybob
My relative was one of those killed at the Old Palace School - Vernon Joseph Middleditch. He was brother to my paternal Grandmother.
He was married in Dec 1938 to Louisa Phyllis Flowers Cook at Poplar. They had one daughter Margaret Rose Middleditch born March 1940. What became of these two after Vernon's death I have yet to ascertain.
I visited the Firefighters memorial in London and have several photos of it, also of the plaque which is on the school, of which two were printed in Practical Family History a few months ago and won Star Letter.
Regards
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I wish I had seen the article in Practical Family History! My father was a Firefighter in the East End at this time and would have been aware of the Old Palace tragedy.
Cheers, PP
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There is a monument for firemen killed in Bradford, It now stands at the West Yorkshire Fire Service Headquarters in Birkenshaw near Bradford. I think there is going to be one at the National Arboretum
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Hi
I took photos of the Firefighter's memorial in London, as mentioned previously. I went round all of it and took images of all the panels, so if you think your relly may be on it, just let me know your email. I will check for you, and send you a copy of the image. (I will let you know if he/or she is not on it too!)
Cheers
Sue
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Hi wilkybob
My father Edward Rosebridge was in the NFS and he was killed in West Ham along with a colleague George Cert at a school that had been converted to a station. I have a couple of copies of newspaper cuttings of the incident with a photo of the coffins and the funeral service programme. If there is anymore information you can get me I would appreciate it, as I live in Qld Australia I can only find out things on the net. I have visited the museum it is very interesting.
Regards Margaret
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Hi Margaret
Sorry I took so long to reply, been of skiing amongst other things, now catching up with things.
My list shows
NFS Fireman George Christian Cert – NFS London
Died 24th August 1944 aged 32. Of 84 Chesterton Terrace, Plaistow.
At the N.F.S. Station, Abbey Road, London, when station was hit by a German V1 Rocket.
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NFS Fireman Edward Arthur Rosebridge – NFS London
Died 24th August 1944 aged 32. Of 31 Collard Road, Walthamstow.
Injured at Abbey Road AFS Station, when it was hit by a German V1 Rocket. Died same day at Queen Mary's Hospital.
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The names are also listed in a roll of honor in the back of a book called The London Blitz, a Firemans Tale, by Cyril Demarne
Best wishes Bob W
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Many of the names of UK firefighters including the ones above that have died due to sevice can be found at http://www.firefightersmemorial.co.uk/
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Hi once more Margaret, thank you for the images and other details.
Here is an image taken a book called The London Blitz, a Firemans Tale, by Cyril Demarne, showing your fathers and his colleagues coffins laying in church to enable people to pay their resects.
I've cut it around to make the text at the bottom central.
It looks like this is the same image as printed in the Daily Mirror article you sent me, but in far better than newspaper quality. I've also sent you this image via your email address in larger format than allowed here
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Hi Wilkybob
Would you know if there were any photographs published of any of the firemen killed at the Old Palace School, April 1941?
My Gt Uncle was Vernon Joseph Middleditch. After a couple of years of wondering what happened to his wife and very young daughter after his death I am now in contact with his grand-daughter! ;D
The only thing neither of us have is a photo of him. :-\
Your help is gratefully appreciated.
Cheers
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Hi Soup
Sorry I have no images of any of the firemen kelled at the Old Palace School, but I'm about to get hold of some old wartime stuff on firemen including some pictures. It might take a few weeks to get through the stuff, but I will look out for anything to do with this incident and get back to you
Bob W
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Hi Wilkybob
Thanks for responding so quick!
Never mind re the photos. One may turn up one day.
I have decided to order the book written by Cyril Demarne. (The London Blitz: A Fireman's Tale). Looks like it will be an interesting read from my point of view as the author lived/worked in Poplar.
Cheers
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I've only just found this thread. I don't know if you can help but we're stuck on my tree, hubbies great grandad is on his grandads birth cert in 1897 as a brigade fireman we can't find anything on him at all. His name was Willaim Mytton on birth in 1897 but Frank Mytton on grandads wedding cert[deceased] . The address for the birth is Aston but they or his wife might just have been staying there. Seeing your thread i wonder if you might have him in your list of people in brigade that have died please.
Missjayniee
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Hi missyjaynee,
I'm afraid my details only cover those that died whilst being a fireman/ firefighter (due to service) and he dosn't appear in my 3,700 names.
If you contact the fire brigade HQ in the area your grandfather served, they may have brigade records of all firefighters that served with them.
London Fire Brigade have a great set of personal records, as do Kent.
Also many brigades have museums where you can also find details.
Just sorry I can't be of more help.
Bob Wilkinson
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Thanks anyway. Keep up the good work. We've contacted the local brigades as to the address,Aston, but unfortunately never received any replies.
Missjayniee
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hi wilkybob
i wonder if you can help me. i have a firefigther in my family tree but don't know which one it would be. they both have the name herbert ellis - one was born in 1906 and one born in 1872. Herbert (1872) is buried in a war grave in bexley with his brother frederick ellis died 4/11/1918.
i know this fireman got badly burnt during the war but i don't know which one.
many thanks
sue
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Hi Sue
I have looked through my records and neither are shown as killed on duty, but all is not lost.
If you contact the Kent Fire Brigade Museum (Mondays only usually) and ask for John Meakin, he has records going back to the dates you seek, so there is a good chance he can tell you more.
John is ever so helpful and has helped me on many occasions.
His details are
Kent County Council Fire Department
Straw Mill Hill
Tovil
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 6XB
England
Tel 01622 692 121
(this number is the brigades switchboard, so ask to be put through to John Meakin (or anyone else in the museum as he has a few helpers)
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thanks wilkybob
i will phone on monday.
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Just a matter of interest to the Popular bombing.My father was also based at AFS Beckenham and was sent to Popular in another engine with the others which broke down on the way saving his life.
eddie.
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A very lucky man, your father Eddie.
Thanks all part of the story
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thanks wilkybob
i will phone on monday.
How did you get on Sue? any good?
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hi wilkybob,
i haven't had time yet to phone them - been busy, one sons getting married in two weeks and my baby son (18 now) is going away to university he's doing fire safety and is hoping to get in the fire service!!!
i will let you know when i do contact them
sue
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Hi Sue, why not point your son to another site which I'm a moderator on.
http://www.fireservice.co.uk/forum
it has helped many get into the job they want.
I'm sure he will find it a big help. He will need to register to see most of the stuff, and there is another part to the site where more in depth help is given, but even that section only costs a tenner a year.
Bob W
(I'm also Wilkybob on that site)
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thankyou wilkybob i will
sue
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re: popular.I have a couple of photo,s of the afs beckenham firemans grave if interested Bob.
eddie.
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yes please Eddie
I should be getting a website up before end of the year, site pages being written now.
It will be nice to remember all the firefighters. :)
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re Popular photo's.Beckenham Crematorium and Cemetery,Elmers End Road,Beckenham,BR3 4TD.One for now bob as have to downsize otherone.
Eddie.
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Thank you Eddie
most welcomed and usefull
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Hi milkybob,
I hope i am doing this right.
I am trying to get info on my Great uncle Albert Hall, who i believe died in the late 1940's or 1950's during active service.
He was born in 1902 in Perkinsville or Pelton County Durham and he possibly married in 1929 to Elizabeth ?
I do have pictures of his funeral and in one photo the firefighters are walking in front of the funeral cars. My family in the North East say his death was in the local papers, but i don't know where to start looking.
Hope you can help.
Regards Denise.
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Oh my god, i have just realised i have called you milkybob. So sorry.
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Hi Denise
I'm sorry to say I know nothing of your Uncle Albert Hall, With a name like that he would have had his leg pulled more than once, so you calling me milkybob is nothing LOL.
I would be interested to know anything else you find on him and the details of his death if possible.
My website remembering all the firefighters in the UK that have died as a result of being a firefighter will be online by the end of this year, and it would be a shame not to have him on the list if his death was due to being a firefighteter. I the meanwhile I will see if I can find anything.
Thanks.
If you go to http://www.firefightersmemorial.co.uk/MemorialNames.pdf that is a simple list of all the firemen / firewomen on the firefighters memorial in London, and I have many more than on that list, but he is not shown on either.
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Milkybob,
Happy to be of use,
Ed
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Hi Wilkybob,
Thankyou for your reply.
I will carry on trying to find a bit more info on Albert, if i find anything of interest i will let you know.
Denise.
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Hi,
There is a book about Beckenham during WW2 --
"Beckenham The Home Front 1939-45" by Pat Manning & Cliff Watkins. It contains a chapter on the AFS including a photograph of the serving firemen marching beside their fire engines in the funeral procession for the 19 Beckenham AFS killed on the night of 19-20 April 1941 at the Old Palace School Poplar.
My uncle Dave Chalmers had been killed 3 nights earlier, on 17 April 1941, two other AFS firefighters were also killed at the same time and another was morally wounded when a bomb hit the house where they were fighting a blaze in Wickham Road, Beckenham.
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Hi Mudlark
Thanks for the info, looks like I'm buying another book now lol.
The ones I have for that night in that location are...
Your uncle
AFS Leading Fireman David James Chalmer – AFS Beckenham
Died 17th April 1941 aged 31. Of 10 Maberley Road.
Died at corner of Wickham Road and Court Downs Road
and
AFS Fireman Richard Beacon – AFS Beckenham
Died 17th April 1941 aged 27. Of Rayleigh, Maidstone Road, Borough Green.
Died at corner of Wickham Road and Court Downs Road.
and
AFS Fireman Stanley Richard Hudders – AFS Beckenham
Died 17th April 1941 aged 30. Of 14 Pelham Road, Bexleyheath.
Died at corner of Wickham Road and Court Downs Road, Beckenham.
Now I hope you have a little more info on the night your Uncle died, especially the 2 colleagues who sadly died alongside him.
Bob W
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Hi Bob,
John Henry Maynard had been dreadfully wounded by shrapnel, he survived for another seven months, dying on 9 Nov 1941.
Richard Beacon, Stanley Richard Hudders and my uncle David (Dave) Chalmers were killed outright. Stanley Hudders is buried with Dave in the same grave in Beckenham Cemetery - plot no. H3 row 1. Dave & Stanley's grave is next to John (Jack) Maynard's. Richard Beacon is buried in Sittingbourne (ref: Pat Manning).
There are also housing blocks named after the fireman casualties. Chalmers House is in Border Crescent, SE 26 and Hudders House is in Churchfield Road (ref. Beckenham's 30 Glorious Years 1935-65 by Pat Manning). The signs are circular, with a black background, gold lettering, an oak tree in the centre also picked out in gold - Pat Manning kindly emailed me a photograph of Dave's.
Chris
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Hi
I have Maynard as well,
AFS Fireman John Henry Maynard – AFS Beckenham
Died 9th November 1941 aged 37. Of 21 Gowland Place, Beckenham, Kent.
Injured 17th April 1941, at Courts Down Road, Beckenham. Died at Horton Emergency Hospital, Epsom.
I'm in the process of starting a website remembering every UK firefighter that died due to doing the job, with as many details as possible. I hope to have it go live around xmas.
Any Pictures ect that you might have would be nice if OK with you to help bring the names to life.
Thanks
Bob Wilkinson
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Hi Bob,
I can probably help you with a photo of Dave although I'm afraid he is not in uniform. I do have a Beckenham AFS Christmas card for 1939 - this was sent by Dave to my parents.
The books by Pat Manning are available on her website
http://pickpatspage.com/jenna-publishing - I was originally in contact with Pat via email when I found her article in the NW Kent FHS magazine (Dec 2005).
Will be in touch direct via a PM
Chris
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hi wilkybob,
do you remember i contacted you sometime ago about a fireman in my family tree, i still havn't phoned the number you gave me.
i just wanted to let you know my son got sponsership from the lancashire fire service while he's at uni up there and starts his fire training in april. he's at uni for 3 yrs and then straight in fire service.
also don't know if you can help on this one. my husband was adopted and always new his birth fathers name. after many yrs of searching we found he died in 2001 - he was a fireman in the raf but went awol in 1965 so we don't know if he ever went back to the raf. we have no raf number or where he was stationed although on some paperwork we have it says he did go to singapore.
any thoughts?
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First good luck to your son, I hope he has a happy and safe career in what is still in my opinion one of the best and most rewarding jobs today.
The RAF records are held at RAF Cranwell.
The link is http://www.raf.mod.uk/links/contacts.cfm
They charge £30.00 and are strict on who they give information to. (Close family only usually next of kin to person on the records)
Hope this helps
Bob Wilkinson
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Hi Margaret
Sorry I took so long to reply, been of skiing amongst other things, now catching up with things.
My list shows
NFS Fireman George Christian Cert – NFS London
Died 24th August 1944 aged 32. Of 84 Chesterton Terrace, Plaistow.
At the N.F.S. Station, Abbey Road, London, when station was hit by a German V1 Rocket.
----------------------------
NFS Fireman Edward Arthur Rosebridge – NFS London
Died 24th August 1944 aged 32. Of 31 Collard Road, Walthamstow.
Injured at Abbey Road AFS Station, when it was hit by a German V1 Rocket. Died same day at Queen Mary's Hospital.
-------------------------------
The names are also listed in a roll of honor in the back of a book called The London Blitz, a Firemans Tale, by Cyril Demarne
Best wishes Bob W
Hello ,Iam George Christian Cert Grandson, My name is Ian Walker, We are trying to locate where my grandad is buried, I was wondering if you know where he might be, as my gran is not well and cant remember. Her name is Violet Cert and my mum was Pauline Cert. please reply , it would be nice.
thank you Ian Walker
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Hi wilkybob
My father Edward Rosebridge was in the NFS and he was killed in West Ham along with a colleague George Cert at a school that had been converted to a station. I have a couple of copies of newspaper cuttings of the incident with a photo of the coffins and the funeral service programme. If there is anymore information you can get me I would appreciate it, as I live in Qld Australia I can only find out things on the net. I have visited the museum it is very interesting.
Regards Margaret
[/quote Hello ,I am George Christian Cert Grandson, My name is Ian Walker, We are trying to locate where my grandad is buried, I was wondering if you know where he might be, as my gran is not well and cant remember. Her name is Violet Cert and my mum was Pauline Cert. please reply , it would be nice.
thank you Ian Walker
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Hello ,I am George Christian Cert Grandson, My name is Ian Walker, We are trying to locate where my grandad is buried, I was wondering if you know where he might be, as my gran is not well and cant remember. Her name is Violet Cert and my mum was Pauline Cert. please reply , it would be nice.
thank you Ian Walker
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Hi Ian, I will look into finding where he is buried. Just got back from ski trio so not been online much.
Bob
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In 1929 four firemen in Kent England were killed in a terrible incident. Also killed along beside them was 11 other people including 9 children, boys between the age of 10 and 13. No memorial exists to remeber these lost lives and this incident is on the brink of being forgotten.
We are desperately looking for support of a petition to the Medway council to have a memorial placed in memory of this incident and these lives.
Please view my web site for the full details or google Gillingham Park Fete Tragedy.
http://firemanswedding.weebly.com/index.html
The petition details can be found at this web site:
http://www.petitiononline.com/awcgpft/petition.html
Please consider signing to help honor these lives. You don't have to live in England to sign, every signature counts.
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Hello Ian, George Christian Cert was my late Father's older brother. I'm sorry I don't know where he is buried. He was known in the family as Tom, I believe. Do you know any other family members you could ask? Unfortunately, there aren't many left now.
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Still trying to find out where George Cert is buried.
The main cemeteries for East London are
East London Cemetery, Grange Road, Plaistow
Gibraltar Row Burial Ground, Bethnal Green
Manor Park Cemetery, Serbert Road (1874)
Rippleside Cemetery, Ripple Road, Barking
Romford Cemetery, Dagenham Road
Tower Hamlets Cemetery, Southern Grove
West Ham Cemetery, Cemetery Road.
If you go to http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=38312&mode=1
and type in Cert, he comes up on the list, so I assume he will be buried at
EAST LONDON CEMETERY, PLAISTOW the one at the top of the list?
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George Cert's family lived in Stepney - if that helps.
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looking through the lists now, might take a few hours
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If possible give these a call
West Ham Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Forest Gate
E7 9DG
020 3373 1193
Just been told some of firemen from Plaistow incident are buried there. Good luck
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From the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission:
Name: CERT, GEORGE CHRISTIAN
Initials: G C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Civilian
Regiment/Service: Civilian War Dead
Age: 32
Date of Death: 24/08/1944
Additional information: Fireman, N.F.S.; of 84 Chesterton Terrace, Plaistow. Husband of Violet Rose Cert. a N.F.S. Station, Abbey Road.
Casualty Type: Civilian War Dead
Reporting Authority: WEST HAM, COUNTY BOROUGH
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=3105507
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I know the fella well who did research on the West Ham Cemetery, I'll post him a message and see if he knows anything regarding the grave of George Cert.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=658435
If you go to this link on the CWGC site for West Ham
http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=4004016&mode=1
George is listed there as #199
I would take this to mean he is buried in the West Ham Cemetery.
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As it turns out, the reporting authority as in the first post means where death occurred or where the inquest was held. I knew that, but the second listing I found on CWGC does suggest that this man was buried in West Ham - but apparently does not mean that. So he may not be at West Ham after all. Best to call as mentioned above. Apparently West Ham will do searches for free.
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Hello Ian, George Christian Cert was my late Father's older brother. I'm sorry I don't know where he is buried. He was known in the family as Tom, I believe. Do you know any other family members you could ask? Unfortunately, there aren't many left now.
Hello can you tell me who your dad's name was , as the mum would like to know.
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Hello Ian, My Dad's name was Robert (Bob). He was the second youngest in the family.
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My great great uncle was Leonard Roots who died at old palace school on night of 19/20 April. It was nice to find his name here as I'm trying to learn more about him.
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Hello Ian, George Christian Cert was my late Father's older brother. I'm sorry I don't know where he is buried. He was known in the family as Tom, I believe. Do you know any other family members you could ask? Unfortunately, there aren't many left now.
Hello can you tell me who your dad's name was , as the mum would like to know.
Hi Ian
My name is Olivia, I was at the Imperial War Museum today and as my mum's maiden name was Cert, I typed this into a search engine, and it came up with George Christian Cert. I typed this into Google and just found this thread - not sure if you're still on here, but thought it was worth a try!
George was my Great Uncle. His brother (my Grandad - although I never met him) was married to Rose and they lived in Eversden in Cambridgeshire. Violet was my Great Auntie! Please get in touch so that we can discuss!
Olivia
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Hello Ian, My Dad's name was Robert (Bob). He was the second youngest in the family.
Hi Marie
Just posted this message to Ian Walker, and just saw your message - so hoping one or both of you reply!
My name is Olivia, I was at the Imperial War Museum today and as my mum's maiden name was Cert, I typed this into a search engine, and it came up with George Christian Cert. I typed this into Google and just found this thread - not sure if you're still on here, but thought it was worth a try!
George was my Great Uncle. His brother (my Grandad - although I never met him) was married to Rose and they lived in Eversden in Cambridgeshire. Violet was my Great Auntie! Please get in touch so that we can discuss!
Olivia
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Hi Bob,
This is a great forum!
I've discovered that my 4X Great Grandfather 'George Richard Staples' was a Lighterman, then became a Fireman in 1822 (I don't know for which Insurance Company though), he was then part of the London Fire Engine Establishment and then later the Metropolitan/London Fire Brigade.
I've found from various records, that he was based at Watling Street, Chandos Street and King Street stations - all in London - throughout the 1840s to 1870s.
Several items (clocks, watches, teapots, etc) are mentioned in his will, that were presented to him by Captain Eyre Massey Shaw.
His oldest son worked for the London Salvage Corps and another son was a 'Fire Messenger'.
He appears in several 'court minutes' from the Old Bailey records online, but unfortunately, the LFB Museum has nothing on my Staples ancestors. Are you aware of anywhere else that I could search for records? (E.g. any kind of service records?)
Many thanks,
Glen.
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Found mention of him in my Times Archives search.
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Wow!! Thank you so much! :)
Do you know the date of the article?
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The Times, Thursday, Feb 12, 1863; pg. 10; Issue 24480; col F
Court Of Queen's Bench, Westminster, Feb. 11.
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Found another mention that is most likely him
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Bob, thank you again!
Very much appreciated :)
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Hi Wilkybob
Would you have any info on retained firefighters during WW2? My grandfather was one in the east end/ dockland of London and I would love to know more about it, find out if there is any record etc.
Names either Albert T Kendall or William Arthur Boyce.
Any info gratefully received!!
Karen
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Try contacting the London Fire Brigade Museum, they have most of the records.
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Hi Bob,
I am doing my PhD research on processes of remembering and forgetting in organization. I'm especially interested in investigating the memory of disasters and its influence on members of organizations. I especially interested in commemoration of firefighters who sacrificed their life to save others.
I want to discuss my research with an expert, who has dealt with this issue and knows the situation. I wonder if I can have your email, or a phone contact, to discuss this further.
unfortunately could not find yours in the forum. would appreciate if you can drop me a line.
my email address is: (*)
kind regards,
Hamid
(*) email address removed in accordance with Rootschat policy- please use PM (Personal Message) to exchange personal details
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There is a wonderful memorial to the London firefighters, men and women who lost their lives during the WW2 Blitz. It lists all their names. There are a remarkably large number of them.
It is situated, if I remember correctly, very near St Paul's.
(My father was a part-time fireman in our small West Yorkshire town from 1953 - 1968 - his extra earnings significantly improved the family's standard of living, I guess. I can't recall that he lost any colleagues locally in the line of duty, so we were lucky in that respect)
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Hello i really think what you are doing here is great. My grandfather was William W Crocket who died at Cheapside street in 1960 his death still affects my family greatly but we are so very pround of him. I was just wondering if you had any info on him please
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The Glasgow Whisky Bond Fire, Cheapside Street, Anderston, Glasgow.
One of the worst fire brigade disasters in the UKs history was the fire that broke out in
Cheapside Street in the Anderston area of Glasgow
on 24th March 1960. 14 members of the Glasgow Fire Service and five men from the Glasgow Salvage Corps lost their lives fighting the fire. The fire started in a bonded warehouse that contained large quantities of whisky and rum. Within a few minutes of the firemen and salvage corps men arriving at the blaze there was a huge explosion that blew the building apart. The firemen, salvagemen and three fire appliances
were buried in the rubble. The blaze took a week to extinguish completely, mainly due to the huge store of spirits fuelling the fire.
Fireman William Wallace Crockett – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 32.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 3 children. 9 years service.
Attached is cutting from Fire magazine dated May 1960 and picture of funeral procession.
I have lots more including newspaper cuttings and images of the fire scene if you PM me your email
Bob W
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The cutting on the left describes the disaster
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article from The Times, I cant post larger so can email it for you
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I am very interested in seeing your list please. I have a relative John Thomas Shaw - fireman in Upper Tooting from about 1850 onwards.
Can you provide to my email address (*).
Many thanks
Regards
Paul
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
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I only have firefighters that died due to being in the fire service or firefighters that died between 1960 and 1972 that were members of the FSNBF.
No details of your John Thomas Shaw.
If you google the London fire Brigade museum they have some of the early records from the Tooting Area
Good luck
Bob W
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Many thanks for reply Bob.
I already looked at their website, but no luck I am afraid.
Family tradition says he was decorated by Queen Victoria for service in a great fire. But there were so many great fires!
His brother Dennis was also a firman but we do not know where. He probably died as a fireman as he was only 38 when he died.
Anyway, thanks again for the work and interest you are doing.
Paul
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Have you got date Dennis died please?
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Hi ~Bob
1879.
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Here are two cuttings from November 1879 mentioning John Shaw, an upper tooting fireman :) about his brother Dennis drowning in the Thames, but wasn't a fireman. Seems he was an out of work packer.
Hope this sorts a few of your things out
Bob W
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My mum's cousin was Ian Archibald Cormack McMillan who died 28th March 1960 in the Cheapside fire in Glasgow.
I believe that Ian had a son and we were wondering if you had any info on any of the men who lost their lives in the fire.
Many thanks for your help.
Laura
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Hi Lauramid
Yes I have lots including cuttings.
17 Firemen and Salvagemen died on that tragic night.
Roll of honour attached and will post more in morning
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Fireman John Allan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 25
Whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
He was married with 2 year’s service.
Fireman Christopher Boyle - Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 27.
Whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
He was married with a child. 4 years service
Sub Officer James Calder – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 46.
Whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
He was married with 4 children. 21 years service
Fireman Gordon Jarvie Chapman – Strathclyde Fire Brigade
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 32.
Whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Single with 2 year’s service
Fireman William Wallace Crockett – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 32.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Fireman Archibald Darroch – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 35.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 1 child. 10 years service.
Fireman Daniel Davidson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 33.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married, 2 children. 10 years service.
Fireman Alfred Charles Dickinson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th march 1960. Aged 31.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married. 1 years service.
Fireman Alexander Allan Grassie – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960 Aged 37.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 1 child. 8 years service.
Salvageman Gordon C. McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.Aged 28.
Died whist doing salvage work at a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 4 children. 4 years service.
Fireman Ian Archibald Cormack McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.Aged 31.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 1 child. 7 years service.
Fireman George Dick McIntyre – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960.Aged 50.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 3 children. 21 years service.
Sub Officer John McPherson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 47.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
He was married with 2 children. 21 years service.
Leading Salvageman James A. McLellen – Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 48
Died whist doing salvage work at a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
He was married with 3 children. 19 years service.
Fireman Edward Raymond McMillan – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 26.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married. 4 years service.
Salvageman James F. Mungall – Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 32.
Died whist doing salvage work at a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 2 children. 9 years service.
Superintendent Edward C. Murray Glasgow Salvage Corps
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 55.
Died whist doing salvage work at a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 3 children. 30 years service.
Salvageman William Oliver – Glasgow Salvage corps
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 40.
Died whist doing salvage work at a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married with 3 children. 14 years service.
Fireman William Robb Watson – Glasgow Fire Service
Died 28th March 1960. Aged 28.
Died whist fighting a fire at Glasgow’s Cheapside Docks.
Married. 4 years service.
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Hi Wilkybob.
I have recently found out that my paternal grandfather served in the National Fire Service during WW2. Details below.
Fireman Walter Sunderland NFS Bury Lancashire
Died 30 December 1942 aged 39
Whilst fighting fire at the Castle armoury bury Lancashire
Married with two sons
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NFS Fireman Walter Sunderland – Bury NFS
Died 30th December 1942 aged 39. Of 86 Scholes Street, Elton
January 1943 was a terrible year in Castle Armoury’s long history. A member of the National Fire Service, Fireman Walter Sunderland (39) died tackling a ferocious fire at the site. An explosion rocked the building and threw Fireman Sunderland and several colleagues through the windows. He died of his injuries, while others were taken to the infirmary. Almost the entire building was destroyed, with hundreds of shop windows blown out along The Rock. The nearby church took full force of the blast with £1,000 of damage to its stained glass windows. While many other cities and towns had their centres destroyed by Nazi bombing raids, Bury’s was destroyed from within. It was not believed that arson was to blame for the tragic events, however evidence later suggested the fire originated in or near to the heating apparatus. The fire was discovered at approximately 6 am, the alarm being raised by a local railway worker. Firemen from Bury and the surrounding districts were rushed to the scene. They at once concentrated their efforts on preventing the fire spreading and tackled the flames from inside the building. The fatal explosion occurred at 7.30 am. An inquest was opened on Fireman Sunderland’s death at the Coroner’s office, Colonel R.M. Barlow adjudicating. A verdict of accidental death was recorded. It is often said that the spirit of Fireman Sunderland haunts the Officers’ Mess, where the accident happened.
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Another cutting
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Hi Wilkbob;
That's the one, thanks for the newspaper clips. Seems it was a bit of a blunder from the other stuff I've found. Still as they say "that's war" and I should know having done my bit in in the Mid East and Afghanistan. Thanks again.
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Hi I am a serving member of the Irish Fire brigade and have been asked to find case studies of Firefighters who have died or been seriously injured whilst on duty attending road based incidents.
I have hit a brick wall when it comes to ones that have died whilst actually attending an incident. I have all the info on those that have died as a result of RTA's on route to, or back from an incident, but hardly any info regards those that have lost their lives at an RTA incident.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as it will form the bases for a report for senior officers highlighting the dangers of attending road based incidents in the future.
Regards
Dave Ind S.O. Lismore Fire Brigade.
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I concentrate on UK including Northern Ireland, so nothing on Southern Ireland. I will see what I can collect via friends. Lots of RTC losses from UK
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Hi Wilkybob,
That's fine UK based incidents are what I am looking for, as we base all procedures on UK best practice.
The purpose of report is to highlight the dangers, as we use the same procedures the information is relevant here in the republic.
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Police Fireman Isaac Percival – Leeds Police Fire Brigade (Police Roll of Honour)
Died 18th January 1924, aged 31 Of Charlotte Street, Leeds
Fatally injured when his fire engine crashed on a snow-covered road while attending a fire call.
En-route to a fire at Woodlesford Corn Mill. Crashed into the wall of the Wellington Hotel, bottom of Church Street after a fall of snow caused slippery road conditions. Died in Leeds General Infirmary.
Supt Howard Beckwith KPFSM - Stockport Police Fire Brigade (Police Roll of Honour)
Died 29 December 1926, aged 64
Killed when his fire engine crashed while responding to a fire call.
Fireman Dennis Herbert John Watts – Bournemouth Fire brigade
Died 26th January 1929. Aged 19. Of 5 Stourville Road, Bournemouth.
Killed when the fire engine he was travelling crashed.
Fireman Arthur Jesse Giles – Bournmouth Fire Brigade
Died 30th January 1929. Aged 47. of Seabourne Road, Bournemouth.
Died in hospital as a result of injuries received when the appliance he was travelling crashed.
Inspector John George Crossman – Bristol Police fire Brigade (Police Roll of Honour)
Died 11th June 1934 aged 37
Fatally injured when his fire engine crashed when answering a call.
Fireman Bernard Ward – West Riding of Yorkshire F.B.
Died 15th May 1965. Aged 32
Died of injuries received when the appliance he was in crashed.
He died 3 days after the accident, never regaining consciousness.
Cause of death shown as bilateral cerebral contusion due to compound fracture of the vault and base of scull.
He was married with 1 son.
Fireman Malcolm Farrow – Kent Fire Brigade – Maidstone Fire Brigade
Died 6th September 1970 of 16 Holtye Crescent Maidstone
Injured when his appliance skidded, hit a tree and burst into flames on 2nd September.
He died four days later from his injuries in the Medway Hospital.
Listed on the Kent Fire Brigade Roll of Honour as giving his life in the execution of duty.
This incident was made more tragic due to Fireman farrows father, also a fireman being killed on duty at the
Oakwood Hospital Disaster in 1957
Sub. Officer Ian Cameron – Humberside Fire Brigade
Died 3rd May 1980. Of 9 Arkley Close, Brough, North Humberside
Killed on responding to an emergency call as officer in charge of appliance that crashed.
Left a wife and 2 children
Fireman John Middleton – Devon & Somerset Fire Brigade
Died 17th January 1985
Died from injuries received when his vehicle crashed while carrying out fire prevention duties.
Fireman Stewart Lough– Hertfordshire Fire Brigade
Died 31st October 1987. Aged 34. of 90 Lemsford Road, Hatfield, Herts.
Killed in a fire appliance accident.
His Dodge Emergency Rescue tender crashed on the way to a road traffic accident. He was killed instantly
Left a widow and 3 children.
Retained Fireman Ian Bruce
Died 14th January 1993 Aged 37. of 97 Queens Croft, Kelso, Roxboroughshire
He died answering a fire call when the vehicle he was in skidded on a bridge and went into the River Tweed ater falling down a 50ft embankment.
Married with no children.
Fireman Paul Keenor – East Sussex Fire Brigade – Forest Row Fire Station
Died 1st August 2015 Aged 23
Died when his car crashed near East Grinstead while he was responding to a call out.
The call turned out to be a false alarm.
I have more details of all these along with cuttings images etc. Hope info is of use.
Bob W
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Lots more during WW2
Especially due to blackout regulations.
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Thanks for that info, it will defiantly help.
Is there any chance you could highlight any that have been injured/killed whilst actually dealing with an RTA? I would be particularly interested to hear about ones that have been struck be moving vehicles whilst dealing with a road based incident. i.e. RTA or car fire? in the last 35 years or from 1980 onward.
Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
I would also like to thank you for collating this information in the first place.
research of this nature all be it sombre, can mean that we all have an opportunity to learn from the past. It can have a great bearing on, and add weight to a report when you can put names to otherwise clinical numbers and statistics.
So thanks again.
Dave.
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Fireman Stewart Lough– Hertfordshire Fire Brigade
Died 31st October 1987. Aged 34. of 90 Lemsford Road, Hatfield, Herts.
Killed in a fire appliance accident.
His Dodge Emergency Rescue tender crashed on the way to a road traffic accident. He was killed instantly
Left a widow and 3 children.
Sub Officer Paul Mallaghan – Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue – Stevenage Fire Station – Blue Watch
Died 17th June 2007 aged 46. From Great Ashby, Stevenage.
He died in hospital following being hit by a car as he tackled a fire in another vehicle on a motorway.
He was putting out the fire in a Saab car on the A1 (M), in Hertfordshire, when the crash happened between J7 and J8 near Stevenage. Paul was married to Nikki and was the father of 5 children.
His funeral was held at the church of St Andrew and St George, Stevenage. Colleagues carried the sub officer's coffin on a fire service aerial ladder platform. Members of Blue Watch, Stevenage, wore ceremonial uniform and act as pallbearers. Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service staff provided a guard of honour. The service was followed by a private burial.
Very few actually dealing or on way to RTC
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Fireman Richard W. Maher – Devon and Somerset
Died 5th July 1979. of 59 Withyburn Gardens, Estover, Plymouth
Killed when his appliance was involved en route to an RTA in Cornwall.
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Bob,
thanks for that, it's a great help. I have managed to gather enough evidence now with your info to present a case. We here in Ireland had a double fatality a number of years back when a firefighter and Gardai (policeman) were both struck and killed by a drunk driver whilst attending an RTC. Since then a change of policy and training have gone along way to preventing a similar thing happening again. But this report will go someway to secure funding for more emergency Traffic equipment to go on line, thus potentially saving lives in the future.
Thanks for all your help in this matter.
All the Best
Dave Ind.
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My Great Aunt, Winifred Alexandra Peters (nee Wootton) died in this sad incident and only two weeks after the event my mother was born, and christened Winifred Alexandra Wootton in her memory.
Paul Chiddicks
Old Palace L.C.C. School Poplar Bombed
During the war many schools were left empty due to children being evacuated to the country. The Old Palace LCC School in St. Leonards Street, Poplar, was one of these, and was commandeered war for use as Sub Fire Station 24U for firefighters of the Auxiliary Fire Service. On the night of Sunday April 20th 1941, Fire Service crews were standing by in anticipation of a heavy raid on the Capital. At precisely 1.53am, a land mine, dropped from a Luftwaffe bomber, scored a direct hit on the school. Thirty two firemen and two fire women were killed.
This was the largest loss of Fire Brigade personnel ever suffered in the history of the service in Britain.
AFS Firewoman (Telephonist) Hilda Dupree – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 21. Of 33 Warwick Road, Walthamstow, Essex.
Firewoman Winifred Alexandra Peters – London Fire Brigade
Died 20th April 1941 aged 39. Of 122 Canton Street
AFS Fireman Percy Charles Aitchison – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 27. Of 20 Copse Avenue, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Ronald Mark Bailey – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 25. of 81 Links Road, Tooting.
AFS Fireman Alan Charles Barber – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 26. Of 6 Fairford Close, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey.
AFS Fireman Earnest Reginald Beadle – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 211 Birkbeck Road, Beckenham.
AFS Fireman Kenneth John Bowles – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 27 Beckenham Road, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman John Coleman Burrell – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 35. Of 39 North Street, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
AFS Fireman Patrick Joseph Campbell – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 24. Of 39 Bannister House, Homerton
AFS Fireman Harry John Carden – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 29. Of 7 Mounthurst Road, Hayes, Bromley, Kent.
AFS Fireman Robert John Deans – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 28. Of 144 The Grove, West Wickham, Kent.
Killed at Old Palace L.C.C. School, St. Leonards Street, Poplar.
AFS Fireman Frank James Endean – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 36. Of 34 Aviemore Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Cecil Farley – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 43. Of 5 Linden Leas, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman George John Joseph Hall – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 43. Of 44 Warwick Road, Anerley, Kent.
AFS Messenger Bertie James Frederick Harris – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 17. Of 31 Brabazon Street,
AFS Fireman Leslie Thomas Healey– AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 15 Greenview Avenue, Shirley, Surrey.
AFS Despatch Rider Ernest Herbert Henly _ AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 19. Of 2 Grange Cottage, Silver Street, Kinton Langley, Chippenham, Wiltshire.
AFS Fireman Sydney Bartholomew Jones – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 54 Harrogate Road, Hackney.
AFS Fireman Albert Victor Kite – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 36. Of 166 Village Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman John Francis Mead– AFS
Died 20th April 1941 aged 29. Of 39 Christie Road, Hackney.
AFS Fireman Vernon Joseph Middleditch – AFS
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 220 Hunders Lane, Darlington, Co. Durham.
AFS Fireman Alfred Edward Minter – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 46. Of 48 Aylesford Avenue, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 11 Ash Grove, West Wickham, Kent
AFS Fireman Frederick George Parcell – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 32. Of 28 Love Lane, South Norwood, Surrey.
AFS Fireman Martin Charles Parfett – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 296 Pickhurst Rise, West Wickham, Kent.
AFS Fireman William Charles Plant – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 26. Of 22 Sultan Street, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Fireman Cyril Bertram Porter – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 31 Clinton Road, Forest Gate, Essex.
AFS Fireman William Thomas Rashbrook – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 133 Chatsworth Road, Clapton.
AFS Leading Fireman Leonard Roots – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 31. Of 10 Avenue Court, Avenue Road, Anerley, Kent.
AFS Fireman Albert Alfred Saville – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 35. Of 54 Harrowgate Road, Hackney.
Station Officer Richard William Sinstadt – London Fire Brigade
Died 20th April 1941 aged 46. Of 74 Beccles Drive, Barking, Essex.
AFS Fireman Edgar William Vick – AFS London
Died 20th April 1941 aged 38. Of 234 Eden Way, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Leading Fireman Walter John Woodland – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 41. Of 68 Links Way, Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent.
AFS Leading Fireman Herbert Charles Wotton – AFS Beckenham
Died 20th April 1941 aged 30. Of 78 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent.
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March 28th will be the 60th anniversary of the Cheapside whisky-bond fire in Glasgow's Anderston district, in which 19 firemen lost their lives. Article in today's National.
Skoosh.
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re: popular.I have a couple of photo,s of the afs beckenham firemans grave if interested Bob.
eddie.
Hi Eddie,
I'm interested in the pics you have of the grave for the above firefighters. I saw the one you posted but the names are cut off at the far right, which includes the name I'm interested in. Could you post one that shows all of the names not cut off, I'd so appreciate it.
Thank you,
TML
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Hi Soup
Sorry I have no images of any of the firemen kelled at the Old Palace School, but I'm about to get hold of some old wartime stuff on firemen including some pictures. It might take a few weeks to get through the stuff, but I will look out for anything to do with this incident and get back to you
Bob W
Hi Bob,
Did you ever get through those pics you mentioned above? I'm interested in any pics of the men killed in the Palace School, Edgar William Vick in particular. I'm doing a bio for someone who is memorializing those 32 who lost their lives that fateful morning, his great aunt included.
Any information you may have on him would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
TML
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Hi, it's a small world, ref to George cert fireman, he was my uncle although I've never him my late father spoke of him a lot
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Hi
I just wondered if you have any details of fire station in Wolverhampton, my father Harry Shawcross (dob 21/10/1901) joined the NFS in January 1942 approx, could you point me in the right direction to find out details of his service