Godalming Fire Station

Surrey

1816 to 2011

Roy Squires 2011

Moss Lane 1816 to 1876

17th March 1848:

Meeting of Commissioners for improving the town of Godalming:

It was resolved - ''That in every case where the Fire Engines are called into use to extinguish

Fires of Property insured, that the Insurance Office are charged 2s, besides the expenses of

Engineers an Assistants, and that the Committee in all cases use their utmost endeavours to see

that the Engineers and Assistants be properly remunerated for their time and exertions, and that

in case of Fires of Property not insured, the Committee are to exercise their discretion as to what

charge shall be made.''

The Engine House is in Moss Lane, and the management of the Engines is vested in a committee.

Keys are obtained at Messrs Othen's, Colpus's, W. Lindsays, and at the Police Station.

4th November 1867:

At a Meeting in Godalming it was decided to form a Volunteer Fire Brigade.

October 1870:

A Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed, supported by subscriptions.

Superintendent: Mr. F. Holt.

Sec: Mr, Jas. Debenham Treasurer: Mr. T. White.

The brigade is under the management of a committee, consisting of

two of the Town Commissioners, the Superintendent, Secretary,

Treasurer, and three elected members.

Dateline September 6th. 1881:

Godalming is the first town in the world

to have electric street lighting.

Text taken from The Surrey Advertiser 18th. October 1870

found by Historian Clive Downes

The Wharf 1876 to 1904

Thursday 3rd May 1894:

At a Quarterly Meeting of the Town Council it was agreed to assume

the entire control of Godalming Fire Brigade. The suggestions for the

running of the Brigade are laid out below:

Dateline July 26th. 1894:

Aldous Leonard Huxley, English novelist and critic.

Born in Peperharow Road Godalming

Certificate presented by Godalming Borough Council to

Captain Murray Wyatt Marshall upon his resignation in 1897

Fire Insurance Certificate

Typical Fire Brigade Expenses in 1899

Thursday 4th. June 1903:

At a Special meeting of the Town Council it was agreed to accept the tender from Shand Mason & Co. to purchase a Patent Double Cylinder

Vertical Steam Fire Engine with Variable Expansion Gear. The cost was £295 including delivery.

And also to purchase a piece of land in Queen Street from Mr. Bridger for approximately £140 so that a new Fire Station could be built.

Thursday 15th. October 1903:

At a meeting of the General Purposes Committee it was recommended that a reduced tender from Mr. David Fry to build a new Engine

House for the sum of £525 be accepted. The new Station would be 29ft. 8in by 20ft. And that an application to borrow £1000 be made to

purchase a new Fire Engine and land for the new Fire Station in Queen Street.

Plan of the new Queen Street Station

Queen Street 1904 to 1971

Wednesday 4th. May 1904:

Godalming's new Fire Station in Queen Street is opened by the Mayoress, Mrs. Pilcher.

Local dignitaries attending Queen Street open day

May 4th. 1904

May 4th. 1904

The Wharf 1904

T. Rea, Sons & Fisher Fire 7th March 1905

3rd. April 1905:

Brigade Resigns!

At a serious fire that occurred at T. Rea, Sons & Fisher, Oak Bark Tannery in Mill Lane the Steam Pumper Broke down. It was later found

that the pump was poorly serviced.

The First Engineer Mr. Tricker was demoted to Second Engineer and the Second Engineer promoted to First, with this the Brigade resigned.

Their resignation was accepted, to take effect from April 10th. with the members agreeing to remain in service until May 8th. 1905 so that a

new Brigade could be formed.

Eight members from the old Brigade were reinstated along with 2 who had not resigned plus 12 new recruits. One of the new recruits was

the original First Engineer who, when reinstated was given the job as First Engineer!

The new Steam Pumper that broke down at the

Oak Bark Tannery fire

Note:

Our pump output tests are still carried out in exactly the same spot today.

The building to the left of the pumper is still standing.

2nd. May 1905:

Report of Fire Brigade Committee, new Rules & Regulations published

(following the Brigade Resignation)

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The Brigade shall consist of at least 21 Members, constituted as follow

namely: Two Officers (Captain and Superintendent), Foreman,

First Engineer, Second Engineer, Third Engineer (or Branchman)

Thirteen Firemen and Two Call Boys.

2. The Brigade shall be under the control of the General Purposes com-

mittee of the Town Council, subject to any delegation of powers by

such Committee to a Fire Brigade Committee.

3. The Captain and Superintendent of the Brigade shall be appointed by the

General Purposes Committee and all of their appointments shall be

subject to the approval of that Committee.

4. The Captain to submit to the General Purposes Committee a written

Report of all Fires to which the Brigade is called within one week

of its occurrence.

5. The Captain shall have the entire management of the Brigade at all

Drills and Fires.

6. All persons wishing to join the Brigade shall make application in

writing to the Captain, who shall submit the applications to the

General Purposes Committee, and, if approved by them, the

applicants shall be balloted for by the members of the Brigade

and the person elected shall sign a copy of these Rules, agreeing to

abide by the same.

7. No person shall be eligible to join the Brigade who is under the age of

18 years, this Rule not to apply to Call Boys

8. All Members of the Brigade (except Officers) shall retire at the age of

55 years.

9. A Member wishing to leave the Brigade shall give one calendar month's

previous notice in writing to the Town Clerk.

10. All Members must punctually attend the weekly Drills, and while so

engaged shall submit to the discipline of and obey all orders given

by the Officers in charge.

11. Each Member of the Brigade will be provided with suitable uniform,

which must be returned in good condition (wear and tear ex-

cepted) on leaving the Brigade.

12. Members of the Brigade will receive 1/- per week, which will be for-

feited in case of non-attendance at the weekly Drill. Members will

also receive 1/- each on every occasion on which, in their capacity

as Firemen, they attend theatrical or other performances at the

Borough Hall.

13. The First Engineer will also be paid an additional sum of £3 per annum

and the Second Engineer £2 per annum, for cleaning the Steamer

and keeping the same in good order.

14. In addition to the above the Brigade will receive the following remuner-

ation for attending a Fire, namely :

Each Officer, 7/- for first three hours, 2/6 per hour after.

Foreman and First Engineer, 6/- for first three hours; 1/6 per

hour after.

Second Engineer, 5/- for first three hours, 1/3 per hour after.

Third Engineer (or Branchman), 5/- for first three hours, 1/3 per

hour after.

Firemen (including Turncock), 4/- for first three hours, 1/- per

hour after.

Call Boys, -/6 per hour

With a minimum charge of three hours.

Additional helpers, -/6 per hour.

15. The Members of the Brigade will also be allowed an annual Outing, the

cost of the same being limited to 7/6 per Member.

16. In the event of Competitions, Fire Brigade Dinners, &c., the Captain to

report to the General Purposes Committee whether, in his opinion

it would be advisable for any of the Brigade to attend the same;

and, in case the Committee agree that they do so, the expense of

the same to be paid by the Town Council.

17. Any Member absenting himself from four consecutive Drills, and failing

to give a satisfactory excuse for so doing, shall be liable to be

removed from the Brigade at the discretion of the General Purposes

Committee. If absent from a Fire he shall give the Captain the

reason for such absence.

18. The General Purposes Committee shall have power to dismiss any Mem-

ber for inefficiency or for using profane, improper or insubordinate

language, or who may be found the worse for liquor, or be guilty of

any disorderly conduct at Drills, Assemblies or Fires.

19. The General Purposes Committee reserve the right to alter any existing

or make any further Rule which they think necessary or advisable

Thatched roof fire at Enton

Pumper At Hambledon 14th October 1905

3rd. May 1910:

Report of the General Purposes Committee:

Agreed to the installation of a Call Bell System. Every Fireman will be provided a Bell in his house with two call points, one at the Station

and the other at the junction of St. Johns Street and Manor Road Farncombe.

They will consist of a Break Glass with a pull handle to summon the Brigade.

.

Early 1900

The second Reas Tannery Fire 1911

Coronation Procession King George V 1911

Dateline 15th. April 1912

Farncombe man Jack Phillips, Chief Wireless Telegraphist on RMS Titanic

drowns after sending the first SOS ever to be used for a ship in distress

12th. July 1912:

Quarterly meeting of Godalming Town Council:

It was resolved that an instruction be made to the General Purposes Committee, to make arrangements for a Motor Car to be made

immediately ready in case of fire to dispatch men and appliances to the scene of a fire as soon as possible.

The Car was supplied by Victoria Motor Works, next to the Station.

Fm. H. Merrit Fm. J. Farwell Fm. D. Head

Fm. J. Farwell

15th. January 1924:

Report of the Fire Brigade Committee:

With regard to the proposal to purchase a Motor Fire Engine an offer having been received from Messrs. E.D. Horne & Co, Auto-Engineers,

of London to sell to the Corporation for £750 a 60 H.P. Dennis Fire Engine of 1913 pattern supplied to the French Government, and never yet

been in use, the following recommendation of the Fire Brigade Committee was adopted, namely:- That the offer of Messrs. E.D. Horne & Co

to send a 60 H.P. Dennis Fire Engine to Godalming for a week's trial and demonstration be accepted provided the Corporation incurs no

liability and is put to no expense in the matter and is given first refusal of purchase.

Arising out of this matter the Fire Brigade Committee were empowered if thought desirable to obtain Expert advice as to what kind of

Engine which would be best suited for the needs of the Borough & District.

Dateline 8th. June 1924:

Godalming man George Mallory, lost on Everest

in his attempt at the summit.

Carnival Parade 1924

Dennis in Meadrow Godalming

Group Photo Queen Street 1935

Committee Meeting September 14th. 1936:

Salvus Breathing Apparatus.

It was agreed that a further set of Salvus Breathing apparatus be purchased from Messrs. Siebe Gorman & Co. at a cost of £17. 6. 0.

This apparatus is designed to combat ammonia fumes generated by freezing plant, and is in general use throughout the country. The Brigade

already possess one set, and it was aggreed by the Committee in February last that a second set should be purchased during this year.

This set may be similar to the one purchased by

Godalming in 1936

The wedding of Miss V. Colpus & Jack Farwell 1937

The Best Man JackPortt

Coronation Procession King George VI 1937

1938:

Campaign began to recruit personnel to join an Auxiliary Fire Service. They were trained by Whole-time Firemen at their local Fire Station

on a weekly basis, and were used full-time during the second war to assist with fire-fighting. The AFS was disbanded in 1968.

Early postcard humour!

This plaque once sited outside Queen St. Fire Station

is now located inside our new station at Bridge Road.

Dennis turning out of Queen Street Station

1940:

Brass fire helmets replaced by a stronger helmet constructed of cork.

(brass helmets had been used for approx. 70 years)

*****************

18th. August 1941:

National Fire Service formed to amalgamate the country's Fire Brigades throughout the war.

Back row right

Fm. Harry Edwards

Front row right

Fm. Bert Marshall

Late 1940s

Harry Edwards & Bert Marshall both lived in Peperharow Road. When the

bells went down, Bert & Harry would pedal off on their bikes to Queen Street.

When Harry got a motor cycle, if Bert was home would jump on the back and

they would be there in double quick time!

Photo courtesy Pauline Baldwin, Bert Marshall's daughter.

1st. April 1948:

Surrey Fire Brigade is born following the disbanding of the National Fire Service. Surrey County Council is now responsible for the running

of the brigade.

Dateline January 4th. 1949:

Footballer Mick Mills MBE born.

He lived at Aarons Hill Godalming.

1959:

Surrey was the first brigade in the country to take emergency calls at a central location. Prior to this calls were directed to individual fire

stations.

*****************

Bridge Road 1971 -

Godalming Fire Station is now a two pump "fully Retained" Station in the South of Surrey, employing 18 Fire-fighters. It is one of 24

Stations, 7 of which are fully Retained "part time" in Surrey.

Surrey's Command & Control Centre, based at Reigate, receives all of the Counties 999 Emergency calls. In 2008 Surrey attended 1232 Road

Traffic Collisions and 1566 property fires.

Emergency Calls to Godalming are sent via Teleprinter from our Reigate Control Centre, at the same time alerting us by Pager.

Godalming's Station ground covers approx. 29.5 square miles, including Heath land, Wood land, Small Villages and Towns.

Godalming's Ford 1983

1985 Sub/O Chiverton Fm O'Connell Fm James Fm Irving L/Fm Ranger Fm Hawkins Fm Hill Fm Balchin Fm TownerFm Curry L/Fm Hall Fm Sirett

Fm Farnfield Fm Aitken (D.O Stevens D.O Nagle West Division) Stn/O Snelling Fm Squires L/Fm Booker

Charity work!

1988

Godalming's Volvo 1991

Receiving my long Service Medal 1996

Training on the Dunsfold Aerodrome

Fire Services Rig

1998

3rd. from left Ff Roy Squires 7th. from left Ff Laurence Newman 8th. from left Ff Lloyd Hampshire

Fire Behaviour Training

2001

Godalming's Dennis Rapier 2002

Inn on the Lake fire 2002

June 2003

Ff McDonald Ff Mackenzie Ff Linegar Ff Jackson Ff Fishlock Ff Adaway Ff Edwards Ff Hargreaves Ff Newman Ff Squires Ff Hampshire Ff Hanscomb

Ff Irving

L/Ff Croker L/Ff Fry Temp. Stn/O Hall Stn/O Brown L/Ff Dean L/Ff O'Connell L/Ff .....

The Current Crew:

Watch Manager Tim Hall

Crew Manager Mick Croker

Crew Manager Chris Dean

Crew Manager Andy Fry

Crew Manager "Name removed as requested"

Firefighter Ben Adaway

Firefighter Gary Edwards

Firefighter Dave Fishlock

Firefighter Joe Holden

Firefighter Jamie Irving Jnr.

Firefighter Jim Irving Snr.

Firefighter Andrew Kimbell

Firefighter Robert Lawrence

Firefighter Clive Linegar

Firefighter Tony Parsons-Smith

Crew Manager Timothy Readings

Firefighter Paul Sawyer

Firefighter Roy Squires

Pager currently used to alert the crew

Copy of an actual teleprinter message

Former members of Godalming Fire station

Aitken Neill R.

Annis John

Archer H.

Ayling Doug

Badger Keith

Balchin Richard

Baldwin Keith

Bateman Paul

Beagley A.

Beagley H.W.

Bearman W.A.

Beattie Philip D.

Bennett Andrew

Berry Tom

Beswick Bill

Beswick Stan

Bicknell Bill

Bicknell H.

Bicknell Stewart

Bigmore Jess

Bishop G.

Boarden Tony

Booker Paul

Booker Peter

Bookham J.

Bowers Wally

Boxall Len

Boxall P.

Bradfield

Bridger R.

Brown Andy

Brummell Alf

Brummell Sid

Butler

Firefighter

Firefighter

Fireman

Call Boy / Fireman

Firefighter

Firefighter

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Sub/Officer

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman / Driver

Section Leader

Fireman

Engineer

Fireman

Watch Manager

Fireman

Fireman / Driver

Station Officer

Caesar Ben

Caesar Charlie

Caesar Frederick

Caesar Geoffrey Richard

Caesar George

Caesar George (Senior)

Caesar Jack

Caesar Roman

Cannom David

Cartwright Dave

Chamberlin K.

Chandler Earnie

Chandler Graham

Chitty Max

Chiverton Geofrey M.B.E.

Coleman Tony

Colpus W.A.

Conlon Neil

Cozens Frank

Cranstone H.

Curry Duncan

Daniels D.

Darling W.H.

Debenham Paul A.

Denyer Reg

Downes Sid T.

Draper Jason B.

Dunn Les

Edgington W.

Edwards Alan

Edwards F.

Edwards Harry

Ekins Tom

Everett H.

Farminer Dave

Farnfield Chris R.

Farwell Jack F.

Ford Arthur

Fudger Harry F.

Gadney Chris

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Sub/Officer

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Call Boy

Firefighter

Fireman

Superintendent

Turn Cock

Fireman

Fireman

Station Officer

Firefighter

(Key holder for Moss Lane Engine House)

Firefighter

Station Officer

Fireman

Fireman

Foreman

Fireman

Firefighter

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Firefighter

Leading/Fireman

Superintendant

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Captain

Fireman

Leading/Firefighter

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Firefighter

Gates Jack

Giles Archie J.

Glue Fred

Glue Tim

Gowers Colin N.

Gowers Nigel

Gowers Peter R.

Gregory Norman

Hackman W.

Hampshire Bill C.

Hampshire Lloyd

Hargreaves Trevor

Hanscomb Chris B

Hatcher F.

Hawkins Terry

Hayler D. John

Head Dennis

Head Harold

Heade

Hill Nigel

Hill Sandy

Hoddinott Tim

Holt Andy

Horn Charlie

Horn Fred Jr.

Horn Fred Sr.

Humphres Henry

Jackson Mark C.

James Dave R.

Keen Steve M.

Kemble J.

Kemp J.

Kinggett James

Kingshott F.

Knight W.E.

Lawes W.

Lillywhite E.

Lindsey W.

Mackenzie Alex

Marshall Arthur "Bert"

Captain

Station Officer

Fireman

Firefighter

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Messenger

Fireman

Firefighter

Firefighter

Firefighter

Fireman

Leading/Fireman

Sub/Officer

Call Boy / Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Firefighter

Call Boy / Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Engineer

Fireman

Fireman

Forman

Firefighter

Leading/Firefighter

Firefighter

Turncock

Turncock

Second Engineer

Fireman

Chief Officer

Fireman

Fireman

(Key holder for Moss Lane Engine House)

Firefighter

Fireman

Marshhall Murray Wyatt J.P.

Mayers W.

McDonald Lee

Mcmahon Vic

Merritt Harold

Merritt Henry Charles "Toby"

Moulten Terry

Mullard W.

Murch Lenny

Neate David

Newman A.J.

Newman Laurence

O'Connell Martin G.

Othen John

Page John

Page Walt

Pamment R.

Portt Victor Jack

Pratt Jack

Rainbird Reg

Ranger Kevin

Rapley Earnie

Remnant Percy (Senior)

Remnant Percy (Junior)

Rogers Harry

Searle George

Sherlock J.

Simerson Jack

Sirett Chris

Sloan Cyril

Smith W.

Smollett Alec

Snelling Peter

Soul Derick

Stacey Ron

Stafford F.

Steer Harry (Backer)

Stone Arthur

Stone Bert

Stone Collin

Captain

Fireman

Firefighter

Sub/Officer

Fireman

Driver / Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Surgeon

Firefighter

Leading/Fireman

Captain (Key holder for Moss Lane Engine House)

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Call Boy / Sub/Officer

Fireman

Foreman

Leading/Fireman

Call Boy / Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Messenger

Fireman

Watch Manager

Fireman

Fireman

Leading/Fireman

Assistant Divisional Officer (Retained)

Fireman

Fireman

Second Engineer

Fireman

Fireman

Leading/Fireman

Fireman

Stone T. Norman

Stone Tom

Taylor Sydney L.

Thomson H.F.

Titcomb Goff

Towner Adrian

Tricker R.

Tubb Charley

Tubbs F.

Tuffley Kevin

Vail Gilbert (Bert)

Wakeford C.

Waller D.

Wallis Bert

Waterman Jack

Weisse John

Welsh Karen

West Dick

Wiley F.

Winter John

Witcher A.

Woods Raymond

Wylie Fred

Yeatman Tom

Young Bill

Captain

Fireman

Captain

Captain

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Messenger

Firefighter

Fireman

Fireman

Call Boy

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

Firefighter

Fireman

Captain

Driver / Fireman

Messenger

Station Officer

Fireman

Fireman

Fireman

*****************

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following for some of the photographs in this document.

Ann Holland (Australia) Daughter of Jack Farwell

Godalming Borough Council

Godalming Museum

Jim Irving

Pauline Baldwin

Also:

Historian Clive Downes for information given.

Janwillem Bech "The Rebreather" web site.

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