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.