Category Archives: Fire Service

1920 Fire Brigade Staff and Payments

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Appointed as Chief Officer by the Mitcham Urban District Council at the start of 1920, Albert G. Wells introduced retaining fees and remunerations for firemen, so ending the completely voluntary basis for the service.

From the minutes of the
Fire Brigade, Lighting, Allotments and Recreation Committee
Tuesday, June 11th, 1920
pages 86 to 89

4. Chief Officer’s Report – The following report was submitted:-

                Central Fire Station
                     London Road
                     Mitcham
                     June 11th, 1920

Gentlemen –

I beg to present the following report for your consideration :-

Station no. 1 the Central Fire Station

Name Position Fees
W. Jordan Station Officer £20 p.a.
J. Jordan Sub-Officer £5 p.a.
B. Tapping Fireman 1st Class 3s.
J. Schneider Fireman 1st Class 3s.
F. Harris Fireman 1st Class 3s.
R. Marshall Fireman 2nd Class 2s. 6d.
W. Fenton Fireman 2nd Class 2s. 6d.
L. Ephgrave Fireman 2nd Class 2s. 6d.
V. Broadbridge Fireman 2nd Class 2s. 6d.
G. Marsh Fireman 2nd Class 2s. 6d.
A. Timpson Driver 3s.
F. Cannon Driver 3s.
T. Pugh Driver 3s.

Station no. 2 in Colliers Wood

Name Position Fees
F. Hollands Station Officer £20 p.a.
S. Thorogood Sub-Officer £5 p.a.
A. Kimber Fireman 1st Class 3s.
W. Saker Fireman 1st Class 3s.
E. Broadbridge Fireman 1st Class 3s.
F. Brookes Fireman 1st Class 3s.
W. Webb Fireman 1st Class 3s.
H. Potter Driver 3s.
E. Jones Driver 3s.

The remunerations to firemen and drivers were for the first hour. For the second hour, a 1st class fireman and driver would be paid 2s. 6d., then 2s. for each hour after that. Whereas 2nd class firemen would get 2s. for the second hour and 1s 9d. for subsequent hours.

Remuneration for a fire drill was 2s.

These fees are approximately in 2016:

1920 amount 2016 value
1s. 9d. £4
2s. £4 60p
2s. 6d. £5 75p
3s. £7
£5 £230
£20 £920

Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Urban District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.

Volunteer Fire Brigade

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Mitcham’s fire brigade was a volunteer service until 1920, when Albert Wells was appointed Chief Officer. He introduced retaining fees for the chief and sub officers at each station, and remunerations for drills and call-outs for the firemen.

Stories from the British Newspaper Archive

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Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 07 September 1889

The Volunteer Fire Brigade.

—The annual test drill of the brigade took place on Wednesday evening, when the men mustered in full force and arrived at the tanyard, Beddington Corner, with their engine punctually at six p.m., and in about three minutes got to work with one jet. To this was shortly added another, junction being made in the hose about ten yards from the engine ; another connection was rapidly made from the engine with additional hose, and three powerful jets of water were concentrated on point where an imaginary fire was raging. A correspondent who witnessed the drill is of opinion that from observations made and the excellent espirit de corps shown the men, that this, as an entirely volunteer brigade, in a position to cope with any emergency which may arise in the vicinity. An essential point with men who give their time and labour gratis is having confidence in their leader, and this the Mitcham men certainly have in Superintendent A. R. Harwood. The following members of the committee were present to witness the proceedings, viz., Mr. S. Wells (chairman), Mr. Harwood, sen., Dr. Love, Mr. Sampson, and Mr. S. Love.

Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 23 February 1889

MITCHAM.
The Mitcham Volunteer Fire Brigade.

— The committee of this brigade entertained the members to dinner on Wednesday evening, at the Old Nag’s Head, Upper Mitcham. Mr. Wells, the chairman committee, occupied the chair, and Mr. A. R. Harwood, the superintendent of the brigade, the vice-chair. There were present Messrs. W. R. Harwood, Dr. Love, F. G. Sampson, R. M Chart. S. Love, and W. Jenner, members of the committee, and the brigade with the turncock and call-boys. An excellent repast was put upon the table by Mr Tomlin, and served in his best style, to which ample justice was done. The usual loyal toasts were also given, with that of the brigade, committee, &c. and a most enjoyable evening was spent. During the evening some capital songs were rendered by Messrs Shepherd, Brown, Dill, Turner, and others.

Agricultural Express – Saturday 25 February 1893

MITCHAM.

FIRE.

—On Thursday morning a fire, which originated in a store used for frying fish, broke out at 2, Rock-terrace. The rafters in the chimney had caught alight, but the volunteer fire brigade were able to extinguish the flames with a few buckets of water. The house was occupied by woman named Patience Stone.