Stations
1911 Factory Street, Pollokshaws.
1913? Nitshill Road, Darnley.
Firemasters
1911 to ? Firemaster Charles Angus
Appliances
| 1911 | HS399 | Panhard/Merryweather 450 gpm | P |
| 1926 | HS1874 | Ford T type | M/Tdr |
| 1931 | HS6202 | Dennis | PE |
| 1931 | HS5530 | Dennis | PE |
| 1938 | AHS461 | Ford A type | M/Tdr |
Notes
20/12/1910 Applications were submitted and disposed off as follows :-
By the First or Upper District Committee, for the Council to borrow the sum of £3,000 to meet the cost of a Motor Fire Engine and other fire extinguishing appliances for the First or Upper District
18/12/1911 Account from Mr. Arthur Pordage, Firemaster, Edinburgh. Provision of Appliances for First District. Report on a scheme for establishing a Fire Brigade for the County
1912 Fire Brigade Station/Court House/Police Station to be built at Speirsbridge. (east part of First District)
Housed in the Burgh of Pollokshaws.
1911 Station Factory Street Photo?
Firemaster Charles Angus
1911 Merryweather Motor Pump
1913 New station at Darnley (2 bay)
(Jimmy Slater's notes)
7/6/1911
Pollokshaws Burgh Fire Brigade members informed that their services no longer
required from the 15th ult. Renfrewshire Fire Brigade will now
provide cover.
14/10/1911
Inauguration of Fire Brigade and Fire Engine took place on 28th ult.
when a demonstration was given at Spiers Bridge. The Fire Engine was delivered
on 13th September and tested on the 15th September 1911.
21/5/1912
Annual Report
Equipment Establishment
1 Fire
Engine 1 Firemaster
1 Hand Hose Cart
1 Deputy Firemaster
3 Hand
Pumps 1 Motor Driver
2 Permanent Firemen
10 Auxiliary Firemen
14/9/1912
Claxton Horn to be removed from the Fire Engine and sold as it drains the
accumulator. The Bulb horn and whistles are adequate.
Barrhead are suggesting Barrhead as a suitable centre for the new Fire Station.
6/11/1912
Old Manual Engine to be disposed of. (Kept in Pollokshaws Cleansing Stables and
to be removed)
January
Station Master at Nitshill George Blair. Firemaster Charles Angus.
3/2/1915
Permanent staff increased to six and the Auxiliary Firemen dispensed with on
occupation of the new Fire Station.
20/5/1915
Staff moved from Pollokshaws to Darnley.
12/8/1915
Inspection of Fire Station
Equipment Establishment
1 Fire
Engine 1 Firemaster
3 Hand
Pumps 1 Deputy Firemaster
1 Engineer Driver
3 Firemen
Station in Pollokshaws was replaced with Darnley then Glasgow shut Pollokshaws as too near Queens Park.
1911 to
? Renfrewshire Fire Brigade
? to 1941 East Renfrewshire Fire Brigade
Started as Renfrewshire Fire Brigade and I think when the West Renfrewshire Fire Brigade was started the name was changed to East Renfrewshire Fire Brigade.
UPPER RENFREWSHIRE FIRE BRIGADE
<PHOTO> MAJOR D. K. MICHIE, D.S.O., F.S.I. Convener of Joint Fire Brigade Committee
COUNTY OF RENFREW AND ROYAL BURGH OF RENFREW, JOHNSTONE AND BARRHEAD.
FIRE BRIGADE JOINT COMMITTEE.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
Sir Hugh
Shaw Stewart, Bart. K.C.B
Anthony Roy, Esq.,
Sir Alexander T. Taylor, K.B.E.
Joseph T. Grey, Esq.,
Archibald A. Haggart Spiers, Esq.,
William Johnston, Esq.,
Lt.-Col. James Craig Barr, D.L.
Royal
Burgh of
Renfrew.
Burgh of Johnstone
Major
David K. Michie, D.S.O.
Provost Hugh M. Keith, Esq.,
Andrew Mitchell,
Esq.,
James Smith, Esq.,
John S. Yuill, Esq.,
Burgh of
Barrhead
George C.
McDiarmid, Esq.,
William Fitzsimmons, Esq.
Convener
of Joint Fire Brigade, Major D. K. Michie, D.S.O.
Vice-Convener of Joint Fire Brigade, Henry Alston Hewat, Esq.,
UPPER RENFREWSHIRE FIRE BRIGADE
<PHOTO> FIREMASTER ANGUS
When the Local Government Act 1908 came into force, giving powers to County
Councils to provide Fire Brigades and fire extinguishing appliances. The First
or Upper District County Council determined to establish a Fire Brigade to serve
the whole of the Upper District of the County of Renfrew with the exception of
Scotstoun and Yoker which is situated North of the River Clyde and extends from
Clydebank Burgh boundary at Yoker which is situated North of the River Clyde and
extends from Clydebank Burgh boundary at Yoker burn Southwards to Partick Burgh
boundary at Whiteinch.
The Upper District Council made an agreement with the Town Councils of the
Burghs of Partick and Clydebank for their Brigades to serve North Renfrew Area,
for fire extinguishing purposes. Partick Brigade to attend fires in Scotstoun
Area and Clydebank Brigade the Yoker area, at an annual retaining fee and a
sliding scale of charges for an Engine and Crew while engaged extinguishing
fires in their respective areas.
The Main Area to be covered by the County Councils Fire Brigade is Cathcart,
Newlands, Giffnock, Clarkston, Busby, Whitecraigs, Newton Mearns, Thorliebank,
Mansewood, Nitshill, Crookston, Cardonald, Moorpark, Potterhill, Elderslie,
Abbotsinch, Corkerhill, Uplawmoor, Neilston, Gateside, and Eaglesham with the
Burgh of Pollokshaws as a partner in the Scheme.
Premises belonging. to Pollokshaws Town Council in Factory Street were rented,
and fitted out as a Fire station, with dwelling house accomodation for the
Firemaster and 3 permanent firemen, together with 12 Auxiliary Firemen, who were
County Police Constables, all in a 4 storey tenement above the Fire Station at
Pollokshaws.
Lieutenant Charles Angus of the City of Edinburgh Fire Brigade who has been
appointed Firemaster served for over 14 years in Edinburgh Brigade and was
Lieutenant in charge of the Southern District Station for over 4 years
preceeding his appointment as Firemaster.
Mr. Angus has proved himself to be a capable and popular Officer, and we are
pleased to be able to reproduce his photograph. Prior to being appointed
Lieutenant he held the rank of Leading Fireman, Chief Carpenter and Station
Officer, and was one of the first of the Candidates appointed by Firemaster
Pordage O.B.E. when he took over Command of the City of Edinburgh Fire Brigade
in 1896.
On talking over his duties as Firemaster on the 1st January, 1911, he found that
the Fire Hydrants in the large County area were few and far between. After
making a survey of the whole area he put forward a scheme to the Fire Brigade
Committee recommending that all existing Water Mains in the area covered by the
Brigade should be fitted with an adequate number of fire hydrants so as to put
the Area on a moderate sound basis from a fire extinguishing point of view. The
Scheme was fully discussed in Committee and the Convener, Henry E. Gordon, Esq.,
Aitkenhead, authorised the Firemaster to proceed with the fitting of fire
hydrants as detailed in the scheme submitted, prior to the arrival of the new
Fire Engine and the appointing of the personnel.
In May, 1911 the Firemen both regular and auxiliary were appointed and the Fire
Station opened. The old Manual fire engine and Hand Hose Cart, complete with
hose and equipment, the property of Pollokshaws Town Council was removed from
their old quarters, at the Town’s House, and established in the new fire station
in Factory Street, (now Riverside Road) until such time as the new Fire Engine
arrived from London.
<PHOTO> MERRYWEATHER FIRE ENGINE AND CREW AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE COUNTY FIRE
BRIGADE, POLLOKSHAWS, 1911
In August, 1911 the new Fire Engine arrived at Pollokshaws Goods Station by Rail
from London and delivery taken by the Firms Engineer when the Engine was run
into the new fire station to await inspection by the Fire Brigade Committee and
to be put through its road and pumping tests before acceptance. The Engine is a
70/75. b.h.p. 6, Cylinder Merryweather Aster specially designed for fire brigade
requirements, with dual ignition and high tension Bosch Magneto, Battery and
Coil, Automatic quick-starting two jet Merryweather type Carburettor, efficient
lubrication of the combined force feed and splash system. The Engine is
water-cooled, a large water tank being provided above the Radiator and the
circulation is effected by means of a centrifugal pump driven by spur gear wheel
meshing with the inlet timing gear wheel. The Radiator is of the Merryweather
latest tube and fin type with ample cooling surface of extremely substantial
construction.
The transmission is by multiple disc Heele-Shaw clutch and universal jointed
shaft through change speed gear to differential shaft, drawing rear wheels by
steel roller chains, three forward speeds and reverse, inclined pillar steering
wheel, throttle and ignition mounted on face of steering wheel. The brakes are
duplicate foot pedal acting on drum on second motion shaft and hand brake lever
operating internal expanding brakes on rear wheels, Shrewsbury & Challiner solid
twin tyres on rear wheels, and 5½ inch solid tyres on front wheels.
The fire pump is of the Centrifugal or Turbine pattern of Merryweather latest
improved type, having three stages driven from the Motor from an extention of
the first motion shaft in change speed gearbox operated by hand lever. Charging
is effected by means of a high speed reciprocating Vacumn pump driven by a
friction clutch by foot pedal. The pump has a capacity of 500/600 gallons per
minute and is fitted with two male 2¾ ins. instantaneous and one 3½ ins. London
round thread delivery outlets, 40 feet of 5 ins. Suction Hose. The Machine also
carries a 30 gallon water tank and 180 feet of rubber hose on hydraulic
revolving hose reel, complete with shut off nozzle.
Two thousand feet of 2¾ ins. Canvas Hose with instantaneous couplings and 500
feet of 3½ ins. Canvas Hose with London round thread couplings are carried in
the hose box. Overhead is mounted a 40 foot telescopic 3 section portable fire
escape operated by winch.
At the Official road test the machine covered a measured mile, fully loaded with
ten men aboard in 1 minute 40 seconds, equalling 36 miles per hour.
On the invitation of the newly elected Fire Brigade Committee a large number of
gentlemen interested in Burgh and County Government assembled at Spiersbridge,
Thornliebank on Thursday afternoon 28th September to witness the testing of the
fire pump and formal inauguaration of the Fire Brigade.
In the first place the Motor Engine which has been stationed in Pollokshaws (the
Town Council of that Burgh being partners in the Fire Brigade scheme) was
subjected to a severe test, the pump drafting over the bridge parapet from the
Caplerigg Burn at Spiersbridge, Thornliebank. The Pump put up a good
performance, delivering one 1¼ ins. jet of water at 155 lbs. per square inch,
three 7/8 in. jets at 125 lbs., three ¾ in. jets at 150 lbs. and one ¾ in. jet
at 185 1bs. through various lines of hose.
Attending the demonstration were the following gentlemen:-Henry E. Gordon,
Convenor, Dr. William H. Hill, L.L.D. District Clerk, Members of the County
Council and Fire Brigade Committee. Mr. Hopper representing the firm of
Merryweather & Sons the makers, and a number of other interested gentlemen and
County Officials, including the following Firemasters, Messrs Pordage,
Edinburgh, Waddell, Glasgow, Weir, Dundee, McNaughton, Paisley, Taylor,
Greenock, Weir, Partick, Fairley, Govan, Miller, Clydebank. By the experts
present the results were regarded as quite satisfactory, afterwards the Company
was entertained to Tea in the Rouken Glen Mansion House, presided over by Mr. H.
E. Gordon, Esq. of Aitkenhead, Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee.
In the course of a short speech Mr. Gordon said that on the Local Government Act
1908 authorising County Councils to establish fire brigades, the Renfrew County
Council at once took up the matter, and instructed reports to be submitted to
them as to the requirements of the County’s proposed scheme, it being ultimately
agreed to remit the matter of fire extinguishing to the Upper and Lower District
Committees, with power to make what provision they deemed necessary for coping
with outbreaks of fire within their respective areas. After further discussion
the Lower or West Renfrewshire District Committee resolved to form a fire
brigade for their own District on an independent basis. A site for same was
acquired at Thorn, Johnstone, and the new premises which was known as the West
Renfrewshire Fire Station was built and opened in June 1913, and in order to
equalise the territory covered by both District Brigades a combination area was
formed by including in the Lower District for fire extinguishing purposes, parts
of the Upper District more convenient to West Renfrewshire Brigade, viz.,
Elderslie, Potterhill and Abbotsinch situated on the east and west of the River
Cart.
Other speakers were Mr. Moscrip, Convenor of Edinburgh Brigade, Provost
McKechnie, Govan, Provost McDougall, Pollokshaws, Firemaster Pordage, Edinburgh,
Firemaster Waddell, Glasgow, and Mr. Hopper for the Makers.
GLASGOW CORPORATION BOUNDARIES ORDER, 1912.
When the Glasgow Corporation 1912 Boundaries Order to extend the boundaries of the City of Glasgow became Law, the following portions of the Upper District of the County of Renfrew became annexed: Viz., Burgh of Pollokshaws from the City boundary at Pollok Road including both sides of Maxwell Street extending South-westwards along Barrhead Road to the Pollokshaws Burgh boundary in Cowglen Road now Barrhead Road, then following the Auldhouse Burn excluding the Territorial Drill Hall and property at the West end of Auldhouse Road, then following the Holburn as a boundary line taking in all Newlands on the East of the Burn to a point at Kilmarnock Road where the Burn passes under the Road and strikes across the fields to Bogton, Cathcart cutting across at No. 421, Clarkston Road to No. 6, Cove Gardens thence through Corrie Grove leaving. No. 6 to No. 14 inclusive in the County Area. The boundary then cuts through Cathcart Cemetery leaving. one half in the county Area and the other half in the City boundary taking in all Cathcart District on the East of the said boundary line, excluding Millholm Paper Mill, Aikenhead Estate, Netherlee and Muirend District
NORTH RENFREW.
All Scotstoun District on the East side
of Balmoral Street and Victoria Drive to Anniesland Road and Eastwards to
Whiteinch including the Shipbuilding Yards and other Works at the Clydeside all
become included in the City of Glasgow boundary, Valuation of annexed Area
£169,235, Population 20,476, Acreage 1,284. Owing to the annexation of the Burgh
of Pollokshaws the Fire Brigade Committee decided that a site for a new fire
station more conveniently situated for the requirements of the altered City and
County boundaries should be selected. Several sites were visited with a view to
building a new fire station and the choice fell on a piece of ground at Darnley,
Nitshill the property of Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Bart., of Pollock House,
Pollokshaws.
<PHOTO> FIRE BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, DARNLEY
In May, 1914 the first sod for the laying of the foundation of the new Darnley
Fire Station was cut by Allan Kirkwood, Esq., J.P. the new Fire Brigade
Convenor, the building proceeded apace notwithstanding the fact that the great
War of 1914 was in full swing during its erection.
On the 15th May, 1915 the building was completed, the fire station at
Pollokshaws vacated, and the Staff and plant was removed to the fire station at
Darnley, and the permanent staff of firemen increased by two men.
On 12th August, 1915 the new Fire Station was officially opened by Allan
Kirkwood, Esq., Convenor, attending were Sir Hugh Shaw Stewart, County Convenor,
H. E. Gordon, Esq., Wallace Fairweather, Esq., J.P. Chairman of the District
Committee, Provost McDougall, Pollokshaws, Provost Miller, Barrhead, County
Councillors McCallum, Rev. Harvie Smith, Rev. R. Barr, Dr. Pride, Dr. Munro,
County M.O. together with a number of County Council Officials and other
interested parties.
The party was conducted over the fire station by the Firemaster who explained
the various bells and telephones also the instruments in connection with the
switch board etc., thereafter the Convenor put down the fire bells for a test
call when the Brigade turned out and gave a demonstration with the fire escape
and an exhibition with the Motor pump with two lines of hose playing the jets
from the top of the Hose Tower.
The party was afterwards entertained by the Convener to high Tea in the
Recreation Room, when he was presented by the Contractors and others with a
handsome cheque which he handed over to the Renfrewshire War Relief fund.
Appreciation was expressed at the satisfactory manner in which the whole work
had been designed by the Architect and Firemaster, who, carried through the duty
of Clerk of Works during the erection, also the smart and workmanlike manner of
the test turn out of the Brigade and the manner in which they performed their
pump and ladder drill.
FIRE MARKS
Relics of 100 and 170 Years ago.
It was the practice during the later
half of the 18th century from about May, 1767, in Scotland, until the early part
of the 19th century, for a Fire Insurance office to affix the “Mark” on the
building it insured. Some of these still remain.
They were small metal plates, the earlier kind in lead or cast iron and the
latter in copper, tin or other metal sheeting.
They were usually painted in various colours and some were gilt, though but
little of the colouration now remains on the surviving specimens.
They were attached by screws and nails to the central part of the front
buildings at a height of some twelve feet or more by the Fire Insurance Company
soon after the issue of its policy on the building or its contents.
Each fire office had its own “Mark” or plate distinguished by the emblem or
insignia or motto of the Committee, and often in the earlier “Marks” the number
of the policy was imprinted on the “Mark.”
Moreover, each fire insurance office had its own private Fire Brigade and when a
fire broke out, the various private teams of firemen with their apparatus rushed
to the scene and were at once guided by the “Mark” as to the fire office which
was concerned in the endangering of the building.
It was usually only the Company interested in the building which remained to
fight the fire, unless of course it became very threatening.
These “Marks” fell out of use, when later various fire insurance offices had
each a share in the buildings of larger size and when each fire brigade, and
still later, public and municipal brigades attended fire generally.
From the inauguration of the County
Brigade in 1911 up to 1920 fires of any alarming nature in the Royal Burgh of
Renfrew were attended by the County Brigade from Darnley on a time and lime
basis. Renfrew Burgh had quite a good Brigade of their own, viz., Hand drawn
Hose Cart for small fires, and a Horse drawn Steam Fire Engine with 12 Auxiliary
Firemen under the command of Samuel Newlands who was Firemaster, with a Fire
Station in Fulbar Street. The horses, when available, to draw the Steam Engine
were supplied by a local job master, in the event of the horses being otherwise
engaged, and unobtainable, the Brigade commandeered the horses from the Burgh
Cleansing Department, and no matter whether they were yoked in the carts in the
streets or standing in the stables, not being accustomed to running in double
harness the driver had a sore time in getting them to run together, they pulled
time about, so as to speak, in those days this mode of fire brigade proceedure
was quite prevalent in small burghs throughout Scotland and England.
<PHOTO> OPENING OF NEW COUNTY FIRE STATION AT DARNLEY, 1915
The Burgh Firemen were all Auxiliary and were drawn mostly from the ranks of
local tradesmen on an annual retaining fee, with sliding scale of payment per
hour when attending fires, so the longer the fire lasted the bigger the pay. At
this juncture I may relate a true story of firemen in the good old auxiliary
days when they were paid on the time engaged extinguishing an outbreak of fire.
The Auxiliary brigade referred to were paid an annual retaining fee and so much
per hour while engaged at a fire. The Firemen mustered in the Fire Station every
evening in regular shifts. The Firemaster who was permanently engaged on a small
salary and also paid on a sliding scale for every hour engaged at a fire,
foregathered with a few bosom cronies and played chess in a room within the
meaning of the Act, immediately across the Street from the Fire Station, with
strict instructions to one of the Firemen to nip across and acquaint him should
they receive a call to a fire. On receiving a call one evening his orderly ran
across and shouted into the room, “Firemaster, come on, there is a fire.” He
replied “Had on Laddie, a’ll be wi ye as soon as a’ finish this gemm” After a
considerable lapse of time, there was still no sign of the Firemaster turning
up, the messenger again ran across and shouted “Come on, Firemaster, the men are
all waiting on you.” He said, “Whits a’ the fuss aboot, let her kennel up a bit,
am sure the last twa we were et wirna worth going tae.”
<PHOTO> ROYAL BURGH OF RENFREW FIRE BRIGADE. 1916
In 1920 the Burgh of Renfrew brigade was disbanded, and the Steam Fire Engine
sold, and the Fire Station was taken over by the Burgh of Renfrew Silver Band.
The Station was again opened at the outbreak of War in September, 1939, by the
Renfrewshire Scheme making Authority as an Auxiliary Fire Station, equipped with
1 large and 1 light trailer pump together with a towing vehicle and six
full-time Firemen.
The Provost, Magistrates and Councillors of the Burgh entered into an agreement
with the Renfrew County Council for the Darnley Brigade to attend fires in the
Burgh on the payment of an annual retaining fee and sliding scale of charges for
Fire Engine and Crew while engaged extinguishing. fires. The Brigade was
reinforced by the inclusion of a Fire Hose Tender and additional 2 whole time
Firemen.
In 1924 in order to put the Area covered by the Brigade on a more sound basis
and to expedite the turning out of the Fire Engine, Street fire alarms were
erected at Nitshill, Thornliebank, Giffnock, Clarkston, Busby, Newton Mearns
Neilston, Mansewood, Muirend, Cardonald and Corkerhill, and at a later date, an
improved type of fire alarm was erected in the Burgh of Renfrew, Ralston,
Hillington Industrial Estate, also in the Burgh of Barrhead. The erection and
annual rental of the alarms is payable partly by the Police Department and the
Fire Committee.
In 1925, Glasgow Corporation drafted another Provisional order to extend the
Boundaries of the City which includes territory in the Counties of Renfrew,
Lanark and Dumbarton.
In May 1926 the Provisional order to extend the City boundaries became law, when
the remaining portion of North Renfrew from Victoria Drive to Anniesland Road,
Westwards to Yoker Burn at Clydebank Burgh Boundary together with the remaining
Shipyards and various large works in that Area became annexed to the City,
further County territory annexed includes Half-way House, Cardonald, from
Corkerhill Road, Westwards along Paisley Road taking in the whole of Cardonald
and Crookston Districts including the Villages of Corkerhill and Nitshill,
Hawkhead Mental Hospital and Crookston Combination Hospital.
The territory annexed in the Eastern Area included Hillpark, Mansewood,
Kennishead, Carnwadric and Aikenhead Estate. In 1928 a trailer pump was
purchased from Messrs. Merryweather and Sons, Fire Engineers, London. This
trailer pump when hitched on to the hose tender forms a second turn out, and is
still in commission. It has given entire satisfaction especially where it has to
be manhandled through soft ground at farm fires.
<PHOTO> 6 CYLINDER DENNIS MOTOR PUMP AND 50 FOOT FIRE ESCAPE
In December 1930 the old 1911 Merryweather Fire Engine, which had completed
almost nineteen years continuous service was consigned to the scrap heap and was
replaced by a new. Dennis 6 cylinder 90 h.p. Engine with 400/500 gallon
centrifugal Pump, 1st Aid Hydraulic Hose Reel complete with 160 feet
of 7/8 in. Rubber Hose with shut off nozzle. A 50 foot portable wheeled fire
escape is mounted overhead, complete with life lines and sling.
Personnel and Equipment of the whole County, including the Royal Burgh of Renfrew, Johnstone and Barrhead.
The personnel and equipment consists of
2 Regular Fire Stations, viz., Darnley, with Firemaster, Deputy and 7 men, and
Johnstone with Firemaster, Deputy and 6 men, all on the 24 hours duty system
with one day off in eight, and part of every alternative Sunday, with 2 weeks
annual leave. The normal working day is from 07.00 to 17.00 hours.
Darnley equipment consists of 1 Fire Engine with pumping capacity of 400/500
gallons per minute, with 50 foot portable escape, complete with jumping sheet
and rescue apparatus. 2 ‘Salvus’ self-contained breathing sets complete with
latest type of Resuscitating Apparatus. 1 Hose Tender and one 120/200 gallon
Light Trailer Pump and 30 foot extension ladder, these machines carry 2,750 feet
of 2¾ ins. Canvas Hose.
Johnstone equipment comprises 2 Fire Engines with pumping capacity of 250/400
gallons per minute, with a 30 foot extension ladder on each machine. 1 Fire Hose
Tender carrying 4,400 feet oof 2 3/8 ins. And 2½ ins. Canvas Hose. 2 ‘Salvus’
self-contained breathing sets complete with Resuscitating. Apparatus.
The regular firemen are recruited mostly from tradesmen, who carry out all
maintenance work on the fire station buildings, fire engines, fire pumps and
fire appliances, both of the Regular. and A.F.S. services. All hydrants are
supplied from the brigade store, and installed by the firemen throughout the
fire brigade area.
A.R.P. FIRE PRECALTTIONS SCHEME.
In September 1938 Mr. Angus and Mr.
Craig were requested by the Ministry of Home Security (Fire Brigades Division)
to sub-divide the whole County Area, including the three Burghs, into Districts
in order to put the County on a reasonably secure basis against outbreaks of
fire likely to be caused by bombs dropped by enemy aircraft. They were asked to
recruit 390 Auxiliary Firemen for A.R.P. fire precaution duties, and arrange for
the training of this complement, in fire drill, Anti-Gas and Incendiary Bomb
control, and a full course of rescue work as required for fire brigade
efficiency. Both Firemasters had a very busy time organising and laying out the
various Areas preparatory to the arrival of Trailer Pumps, Hose and Equipment.
In January, 1939 the training of the Auxiliary firemen in Hose and Ladder drill,
Pump drill from Street hydrants, Burns and other available Static water
supplies, proceeded nightly, on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Credit is due
to the Regular Brigade Staff for the lively interest they took in the training
of the Auxiliary Firemen, and the way the recruits responded to the lectures and
drill classes. It was also most gratifying to the Service on the high percentage
of recruits who passed through their training with full marks.
<PHOTO> A.F.S. INSPECTION BY H.R.H. DUKE OF KENT, 1940
On the morning of 3rd September, 1939 when War was declared a Telegram was
received from the Home Office to mobilize the Auxiliary Fire Service, this order
was duly carried out, and 28 Action Stations throughout the County were reported
fully equipped and ready for duty within five hours after receiving the order to
mobilize.
Disposition of the Auxiliary Fire Stations.
DARNLEY AREA.
1. Merrylee.
*2. Netherlee.
3. Busby.
*4. Clarkston Toll.
*5. Eastwood Toll.
6. Whitecraigs.
7. Newton Mearns.
8. Thornliebank.
9. Neilston.
*10. Barrhead.
*11. Ralston. Royal Burgh of Renfrew.
*12. Hillington. Royal Burgh of Renfrew.
*13. Moorpark. Royal Burgh of Renfrew.
*14. Fulbar Street. Royal Burgh of Renfrew.
*15. Clyde Trust. Royal Burgh of Renfrew.
JOHNSTONE AREA.
*16. Elderslie.
17. Johnstone. (Clyde Garage)
*18. Johnstone. (Headquarters)
19. Linwood.
20. Johnstone Flax Mills.
21. Milliken Park.
22. Kilbarchan.
23. Howwood.
*24. Lochwinnoch.
25. Bridge of Weir.
*26. Houston.
27. Bishopton.
*28. Kilmacolm.
The Stations marked * are what is
termed full time Stations, where men are stationed night and day, and ready to
turn out at a few minutes notice. They are also called out to all fires along
with the Regular Brigade in order to allow them to gain experience in fire
fighting.
The remainder of the Stations are manned by part time Auxiliary Officers and
Firemen, all of whom have a weekly refresher course in the use and handling of
their fire appliances. Great credit is due to these men for their indefatigable
and loyal co-operation in the performance of routine duties, all of which is
gratuitous.
In July 1940, Firemaster Angus completed 45 years continuous fire service and is
the proud holder of the Order of the British Empire, King Edward the VII Medal,
King George the V Jubilee Medal, King George the VI Coronation Medal and the
Fire Brigade Long Service Medal with 5 bars. During Mr. Angus’ long period of
service he has seen many changes in both fire appliances and personnel, the
present Firemaster holding office in Glasgow is the 6th in his time, 4th in
Paisley, 4th in Greenock, 3rd in Clydebank and 3rd in Johnstone, all regular
Fire Brigade Officers.
It may be interesting to note that three of his sons are in the Fire Service,
one is Firemaster at the Rolls Royce Factory, Hillington, second is an officer
in Singapore Fire Brigade, and the 3rd, a leading fireman in Darnley Brigade. So
like their Sire, they have all gone to Blazes.
Mr. Angus is a past President of the Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association.
Highlanders Institute, Glasgow and a Past Master of the Masonic Order of
Freemasons.
CHANGE OVER FROM HORSE DRAWN STEAM FIRE ENGINES TO SELFPROPELLED MOTOR FIRE ENGINES.
About the year 1905 some of the Fire
Brigades in England commenced to dispense with Horses and Horse drawn steam fire
engines and replace them with self-propelled steam fire engines, these engines
being. fired by oil fuel, steam is generated immediately the oil is ignited, the
fuel is blown through a burner fitted with two regulating valves, one for oil
fuel and the other for steam which carries the oil flame forward to a V shaped
baffle plate and whirls the flame round the furnace box which is lined with fire
clay and can raise steam from 5 lbs. to 100 lbs. in two minutes.
This type of Engine did not hold the market for any length of time. The wheel
base was very short coupled, and shod with solid rubber tyres skidding was
frequent, and when steaming hard the noise was terrific. The cost per week for
the upkeep of the Engine was supposed to be only one third of that of a Steam
Engine and two Horses. I had charge of one in Edinburgh Brigade for three years
and I disagree with the makers upkeep costs, they were a hopeless failure
compared with the present day Petrol Motor Fire Engine.
Glasgow Fire Brigade was the first in Scotland to commission three Petrol Motor
Fire Engines with reciprocating pumps from Merryweather, London about the year
1906. Owing to its construction this type of pump is not favoured by many
Firemasters, as it is claimed that it does not make full use of the water
pressure in the mains. On the other hand the centrifugal pump boosts up the
water pressure found in the water mains and is considered the more efficient
when working from hydrants, pumping from static water the former is hard to beat
for short or long lines of hose.
It was some three years later, in 1908, before Edinburgh fire brigade dispensed
with two pairs of Horses and commissioned two FIRE QUEEN self-propelled steam
fire engines. About 1911 Edinburgh fire brigade changed over from self-propelled
steam fire engines to Petrol Motor Fire Engines. Leith, Dundee, Aberdeen,
Clydebank, Paisley, Greenock, Kilmarnock, changed over from Horse drawn fire
engines to self-propelled fire engines more or less about the same year, so the
spectacular and beautiful sight of a pair of well kept horses galloping along
the street with a fire engine, its polished brasses shining, and whistles
blowing, the firemens cry when the horses were in full gallop was Hip-Hip-Hip,
although the driver always carried a whip it was never used, the horses
responded to the fire cry. People in the street stopped to gaze at the beautiful
rhythm of a pair of well trained galloping horses, which produced a special
thrill, entirely its own, which everyone seemed to admire, however, the days of
the horses are passed, and the present generation who have never witnessed the
inspiring sight has missed a lot.
When our present high powered stream lined Petrol Motor Fire Engine, which is a
vast improvement from a practical point of view, from the old horse drawn steam
fire engines, pass along the streets on their way to a fire, practically no
notice is taken, people just say, “That’s the fire brigade.”
Harking back to my youthful days when I first joined the brigade as a raw
recruit, about 50 per cent. of the firemen, for what reason I could never
understand, prided themselves in cultivating huge face fungus in the way of
beards. On their return from a fire in frosty weather it was very amusing to
watch them thawing out the chin straps on their helmets, which had become frozen
in their beards, with a tinny of hot water, this tinny was religiously put back
in the dressing room on a special hook reserved for that purpose, and woe betide
any of the bare faced personnel who were found using it for any other
unauthorised purpose. With the advent of a new Firemaster discipline made rapid
progress to the benefit and efficiency of the brigade, in general beards
disappeared.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.
It is essential that Fire Brigade
Officers should have a thorough knowledge of building construction and should
instruct and impart that knowledge to the Firemen by lectures and practical
demonstrations at fires. The way to walk on ceiling joists in attics to avoid
falling through, the danger of walking on partly burned wooden safe lintles, the
constant watch for walls becoming off the plumb and masonry becoming dangerous
especially on wall heads. Chimney heads and window stonework.
An experienced Fireman who understands building construction can reach a more
advantageous position with a branch pipe over partly burned flooring and
joisting, where others would fall through having failed to observe the way the
joists run and other traps met with.
Then we have the present day (so called) fire proof buildings which may be
preferably or more suitably called fire resisting, its composition consists of
steel beams and reinforced concrete, if a warehouse of this material crammed
full of combustable and inflamable material should become involved in fire, the
tremendous heat expands the metal structure, and in due time the whole structure
collapses taking the concrete along with it, resulting in a huge mass of twisted
beams and concrete debris as seen in a number of fires of recent years.
In the older type of building where oak beams and good solid timber was used in
its construction fires were not near so disastrous, as oak beams are of slow
combustion and will burn for long periods and although almost burned through
would still hold the structure together and allows the fire fighters to get
moving about more easily with their hose pipes in the cooling down process.
FIRST AID APPLIANCES AND INCENDIARY BOMBS.
AIR RAID FIRE PRECAUTIONS.
The first consideration of Stirrup Pump
parties and the general public should be the controlling medium in dealing with
a number of the fires caused by incendiary bombs. A stirrup handpump with its
atomised or spray jet of pure water, so far known or supposed known composition
or chemicals added to pure water will in any way increase the fire extinguishing
perpensity of the water. On no occasion have these added solutions been found to
increase the effective extinguishing of incendiary bombs in practice it has been
proved to be no more effective than water. A great many of the general public,
will, I have no doubt have had visits from self-styled high-powered salesmen
demonstrating with fire extinguishing liquids and coloured sandy material and
powder, etc.
Stick to your Stirrup Handpump, buckets of water and a supply of sand kept
handy, remember the sand must be kept dry and applied on the incendiary bomb
with a longish handled shovel so as to smother the bomb and keep the fiercely
burning magnesium from flying all over the place, then tackle with stirrup pump
and cool down the aera affected by the molten magnesium, sweep up what is left
into a shovel and remove it to a place outside.
Remember to overhaul hatches opening into attic roofs, see that they are
operating smoothly and easily, have a step ladder handy so as there shall be no
delay in getting into the attic, as probably you may find that an incendiary
bomb has penetrated the roof and lodged in the attic, more so if the ceiling
joists have been covered with wood or other material to form a floor. If an
incendiary bomb is tackled in its incipient or early stages there should be no
difficulty in dealing with it effectively, so keep a constant watch during air
raids. Above all do not have the attic cluttered up with a lot of inflamable
material, clear it out at once, leave nothing that will burn and hinder the
controlling and extinguishing the incendiary bomb successfully.
Finally, neighbours would be wise if they would club together and purchase a
stirrup handpump between, say, six houses, together with two pails of dry sand
and suitable long handled shovel and three or more pails for carrying water to
the pump. In the daytime when men are out at their work women could handle the
pumps quite successfully. From a practical fireman’s point of view and the
flimsy and inflamable print dresses worn by women, we strongly advise them to
don slacks and jacket while tackling an incendiary bomb. This should be done
whenever they hear bombs being dropped, don't wait until your own house or
street is being affected. In concluding these useful hints I would impress upon
all concerned that they should bear in mind that a bomber plane carries a huge
number of one kilo incendiary bombs, which can be released over a wide area
causing a number of fires, with the result that both the Regular and Auxiliary
Fire Brigades may not be able to cope with every outbreak. This is when the
Civilian Stirrup Pump parties can render valuable assistance to the firemen by
extinguishing fires in their incipient stages. Each house should have one or two
sandbags half full of dry sand kept in readyness. The bag should be lifted up
and held in front of the face as a protection and dropped on top of the
incendiary bomb, this considerably controls the flying moulten metal, and finish
off by the use of the stirrup pump.
GENERAL HINTS ON CALLING OUT THE BRIGADE.
In the event of fire breaking out in Dwelling Houses, Factories, etc. immediate steps should be taken to call out the fire brigade by telephone or otherwise. Ask the exchange to put you through to your proper fire station, Darnley or Johnstone, which ever the case may be. When you get through, the duty man in the watch room will immediately say (fire station Darnley) or (fire station Johnstone) the caller should answer thus. This is 49 Main Street, Barrhead, the house is on fire, send on the Brigade, or, Fire in Shipyard, Meadowside Street, Renfrew, send on the Brigade. It must be distinctly understood that the number and name of the street must always be given, also, the name of the District, especially in the County Area, as the duplication of names occur, and a serious loss of time in finding the Brigade has gone to the wrong district. I may give an instance of a number of calls which have been received by the man on duty in the telephone room at the fire station. Caller is that the Fire Station, Duty man, Yes, Caller, excitedly, send on the fire brigade, our house is on fire. Duty man, where are you speaking from? Caller, from the house, it will be burned down before you get here, and replaces the receiver. The only thing left for the duty man is to contact the exchange and try to acertain where the call came from, if he is unfortunate enough to fail to get this information, the only thing the brigade can do is to wait for another message to be sent, valuable time is lost by receiving a message of this nature – caused through sheer excitement. All messages should be given clearly and distinctly giving number and name of street, also the District from which the the call is being sent from.
FIRE PREVENTION.
Fire prevention should be every loyal citizens aim, by careful and thoughtful handling of inflamable material of all kinds. A great many fires are caused annually by leaving matches in the reach of children, lights and cigarette ends carelessly thrown down, cleaning with petrol near a naked light or open fire, filling up petrol tanks with engine running, heaping up fires with coal before going out for a period, smoking tobacco in bed, window curtains being blown on to gas jet, searching with naked light, such as a candle or taper, and a host of other similar, avoidable causes, which can be eliminated by thoughtful and careful consideration while handling naked lights.
FIRE EXTINCTION.
Should anyone have a fire in their own
house or chance to come across a fire in its incipient stages in any other
house, every endeavour should be made to extinguish same by the best means
available. Should one find the fire beyond the stage of being extinguished by
the meagre appliances available, the nearest brigade should be immediately
summoned, try and find out whether there is anyone trapped inside, if at all
possible try your best to get them out, after that is done close all windows and
doors until the arrival of the fire brigade.
It must be distinctly understood by all civilians that it is a great mistake on
discovering a fire that is too far advanced for them to deal with, to smash open
doors and poke in all window panes before the arrival of the Brigade. We do not
doubt this is all done with good intent of assisting the Brigade. Here, I must
point out that by opening windows and doors before a fireman has got his hose
ready to go inside, is not the proper method to adopt, as it allows a current of
oxygen or air to waft through the whole building, which naturally feeds the
hungry flames, with the result that the fire spreads rapidly.
If the windows and doors are kept shut until the Brigades arrival and a line of
hose ready, it deprives the fire of its required oxygen, with the result that
the air inside the building becomes burned up and the space is rapidly filled up
with dense smoke which retards and slows down the combustion, also cools the hot
gasses generated by the fire. It may be interesting to know that in a room
heavily laden with dense smoke the only oxygen in the room is to be found in a
thin layer immediately above the floor. Hence the reason why a fireman tackling
a fire of this kind has to crawl in with the hose – his head as near to the
floor as possible in order to get the benefit of the small amount of air to be
found there.
Should you find yourself trapped in a room above the ground floor and the only
means of escape is by a window, do not stand up in the window and jump out,
simply lower yourself out of the window to the full extent of the arms and drop
down, by doing so, the average person will reduce the distance by about seven
feet. Should the means of escape from be from a window higher up say on the
second floor, and several persons have been trapped do not forget that two or
more bed sheets knotted together at the opposite corners, with a roof knot,
forming a rope, is a good way of lowering persons from a window, the last one to
get out should where possible draw up a bed close to the window, make fast one
end of the rope securely and lower himself over. If trapped on the top of a four
story tenement, the safest way is to try and get, on to the roof though the
hatch in the attic and then though the skylight on to the roof and wait for the
Brigade's arrival with the fire escape. It will be understood that method of
escape is practically confined to the sterner sex. Children can be dropped into
sheets with a few persons holding on to it, or if possible wait for the arrival
of the fire brigade with their jumping sheet.
USE OF CIVILIAN GAS MASKS.
It must be borne in mind that the
ordinary Gas Masks issued by the Government for war time use against poisionous
gases must not be relied upon to enter smoke and fire, as they are not meant for
that purpose, they get clogged up with smoke particles and at once become
dangerous to the wearer.
A fireman's respirator is termed a self-contained breathing apparatus and
enables the fireman to deal with all emergencies. It consists of a steel
cylinder containing approximately 3.5 cubic feet of compressed oxygen gas at
about 1,800 lbs per square inch and fitted with pressure guage and regulating
valve which can be operated by the fireman at will, as his exertions demand. The
guage registers the oxygen as it is being used up by the wearer and lets him
know when the supply is nearly used up. He must then come out and have a fresh
Oxygen Cylinder inserted in his apparatus. A cylinder of oxygen should last the
wearer with safety for thirty minutes under normal working conditions, if dense
smoke is prevelent the wearer has to increase the supply of oxygen accordingly,
with the result the period of safety is lessened.
In conclusion, I implore every householder to provide a Stirrup Pump for the
protection of his own home, or say between a few neighbours. A pump has got
thirty feet of rubber hose which allows the person pumping to stand well back
from the heat and smoke. The nozzle is of a dual purpose type, spray to control
the Incendiary Bomb and a solid jet to extinguish the fire. The pump complete
can be purchased for approximately 22s. 6d. So go to it, when the going is good,
and save your house and home and help your neighbour, should a bomb lodge in
your attic keep a strict watch on the ceilings underneath, when discolouration
of the plaster appears pierce the ceiling and allow the moulton metal from the
bomb to drop into a pail half full of dry sand.
In 1933, the question of fitting out the fast-growing County Area with an extra
number of fire alarms was discussed by the Police-Fire Brigade Committee, when
it was agreed that the authorities and the Fire Brigade Committee, each
authority bearing its proportional cost for the purchase and erection, also the
annual charges for maintenance by the Post Office Authorities, the Alarms were
erected accordingly, and have given good service. They have one snag, that is,
they are connected upon the party line system, in groups of three and in some
cases four, this means, in the case of fire, if one of the Alarms in the groups
is being used, there may be some delay in getting through a message on another
alarm in the same group until the conversation: on the first alarm is concluded
and the alarm restored to normal, in a wide area such as the County of Renfrew,
the cost of wiring up each alarm individually would be prohibitive, owing to
cost and maintenance.
While dealing with fire alarms I may here record a very amusing experience: We
were called out to a farm-steading on fire, on arrival we found the place well
alight, in order to get the pump down to the burn near by, we had to go down a
narrow farm road, on the way we had to pass two plowmen’s cottages, the cottages
being in close proximity to the fire naturally the women-folk had taken
precautionary measures, by removing their household effects and piled them up on
the road in front of their cottages, with the result we could not get through
with the pump. I instructed the firemen to dismount and clear away the articles
which were impeding our passage. One of the women shouted, “whit are you
waisting your time fur, the fire is no doon here, it's roon at the back o’ the
ferm hoose.” I had to explain that we had to get down to the water with the
pump, she threw both hands above her head, and said, “whit a fire brigade, do
you mean to tell me ye hae come a’l the wey frae the Dernley and no’ a drop a
watter in your pump.”
Official figures of direct fire losses in Great, Britain for the year 1940:
£11,761,700.
In 1939, Glasgow Corporation launched another provincial order annexing further
territory of the County of Renfrew but on this occasion the Glasgow Corporation
came off second best; the only built up territory conceeded was a small County
Council Housing Scheme, near Thornliebank and a few arable Farms in that
vicinity. Glassgow Corporation have had always a covetous eye on that salubrious
suburb, Giffnock, Clarkston and Newton Mearns with a well governed population of
over 50,000 in the three foregoing provisional orders this suburb was included
in the annexation orders and on each occasion their tentacles failed to drag it
into the maw of the great City of Glasgow.
Principal Fires attended by the Upper District Fire Brigade.
From Pollokshaws and Darnley Fire Brigade Stations.
Fires of £300 and upwards.
12th June, 1911 Allison Brothers Foundry, Pollokshaws £2,000
3rd August, 1911 Muirs Stables, Pollokshaws 2 Horses and 3 Dogs suffocated £350
10th August, 1911 Polnoon Farm, Eaglesham £1,500
25th September, 1911 Home Farm, Patterton £500
11th November, 1911 Midtownfield Bleachworks, Howwood £60,000
26th January, 1912 Tenement, Pollokshaws 4 Children rescued from 2nd floor. £100
11th February, 1912 Villa, Giffnock 3 Persons rescued, 1 severely burned £350
13th April, 1912 Barrhead Aerodrome 1 Monoplane and 1 Motor Cycle destroyed £1,500
17th June, 1912 Cowdenmoor Farm, Eaglesham £300
Priesthill Farm, Nutshill £230
23rd July, 1912 Public House, Pollokshaws £300
28th August, 1912 Dyke Farm, Neilston £250
26th September, 1912 Kirktonfield Bleachworks, Neilston £500
3rd October, 1912 Govanhaugh Paper Mill, Pollokshaws £300
9th October, 1912 Tenement Dwellings, Giffnock 3 Children rescued from top floor £100
13th February, 1913 Stable and Hay loft, Neilston 1 Horse rescued from stable. £300
18th February, 1913 Farm Sheding and Stackyard, Meikleriggs £1,200
3rd March, 1913 Chemical Works, Elderslie £300
25th March, 1913 Stationers and Confectioners, Shedden £300
10th April, 1913 Commonside Farm, Inchinnan £550
17th April, 1913 Waterproofing Works, Netherlee £600
17th April, 1913 Glenfield Bleaching Works Potterhill £2,550
5th May, 1913 Tobacconists and Stationers, Giffnock £300
24th June, 1913 Brick Works, Caldwell £350
1st July, 1913 Yoker Distillery, Yoker £600
9th September, 1913 Public House, Cardonald £300
21st October, 1913 Farm Stackyard, Clarkston. A case of wilful fire raising. £300
25th October, 1913 Laundry, Harvey Street, Yoker £4,000
1st January, 1914 Carrolside Farm, Clarkston £300
2nd May, 1914 Tenement Dwellings, Neilston £500
19th July, 1914 Hazleden Silk Print Works Fireman injured by falling from roof £350
21st October, 1914 Boiler Maker Works, Moorpark £400
18th March,1914 Cumnock Farm, Mearns £350
6th November, 1915 Commore Farm, Neilston £1,436
21st January, 1916 Eastwood Park. Garage and Power Station £1,000
8th March, 1916 Station Cottages, Corkerhill 3 Children rescued, 1 died from burns received. £100
13th March, 1916 Barcly Curle Shipbuilding Yard £500
15th April, 1916 Joiners Workshops, South Street, Scotstoun £1,000
21st September, 1916 North Arkleston Farm £300
22nd October,1916 South Arkleston Farm £900
10th February, 1917 Tenement Dwelling, Clarkston 2 Young Children rescued from top floor. £150
31st May, 1917 Wool Spinning Mills, Barrhead £6,500
25th October, 1917 Elderslie Mansion House, Renfrew Childrens Home. 98 Children rescued
and removed to Merryflats Hospital £7,800
27th February, 1918 National Tar Products Factory, Barrhead £10,000
15th March, 1918 Dripps Meal Mill, Eaglesham £3,500
8th April, 1918 Semi-detached Villa, Giffnock £1,120
3rd May, 1918 Sailors Orphans Home, Kilmacolm £12,00
27th April, 1919 Carradale Contractors Stables, Barrhead 12 Horses rescued from Stables. £500
14th May, 1919 North Glen Farm, Longbank, Erskine £550
26th October, 1919 Tenement Dwelling Houses, Thormliebank £380
26th December, 1919 Tenement Dwelling Houses, Neilston 4 families rendered homeless. £500
2 men were rescued by Police Constable McTavish, both men were
severely burned and removed by Ambulance to Paisley Infirmary where
one succumed.
8th March, 1920 Drapers Shop, Renfrew £700
1st May, 1920 Tenement Dwellings, Uplawmoor £300
17th June, 1920 Selfcontained Villa, Giffnock. This House was struck by Lightning. £1,500
4th July, 1920 Blythswood Shipbuilding Yard, Renfrew £350
10th September, 1920 National Tar Products Factory, Barrhead £500
13th October, 1920 Rosshall Mains, Crookston £1,760
18th December, 1920 Shanks & Co., Pottery, Barrhead £1,550
23rd February, 1921 National Tar Products Factory, Barrhead. 1 Workman severely burned £450
and removed to Hospital.
12th February, 1921 Motor Garage, Workshops and Lock-ups, Clarkston £850
14th February, 1921 Elderslie Graving Dock, Scotstoun £7,000
5th June, 1921 North Hillington Farm, Hillington £1,700
16th June, 1921 Babcock & Wilcox, Boilermakers, Moorpark £6,000
2nd September, 1921 Railway Carriages, Vans and Waggons, Muirend £350
11th September, 1921 Private Villa, Merrylee, Newlands £450
4th October, 1921 Broompark Farm, Pollok Estate £350
1st April, 1922 Tenement Dwelling, Neilston £350
6th April, 1922 Lowhill Farm, Sheding, Eaglesham £550
15th May, 1922 Fish and Chip Shop, Renfrew £620
5th July, 1922 Firewood Factory, Renfrew £1,000
5th August, 1922 Carntyne Steel Works, Renfrew £1,500
6th August, 1922 Bleachers, Dyers and Finishers, Mearns £1,200
31st August, 1923 Arthurlie Waterproofing Works, Barrhead £2,500
5th October, 1923 Tenement Buildings, Thornliebank. 3 Children rescued from this £50
building, one was severely burned and removed to Hospital.
7th November, 1923 Backhouse Farm, Eaglesham £450
9th November, 1923 National Tar Products Factory, Barrhead £300
3rd December, 1923 Motor Garage and Vehicles, Barrhead £1,000
6th December, 1923 Dykebar Asylum, Barrhead £300
<PHOTO> FIRE DYKEBAR ASYLUM
1st January, 1924 Crookston Combination Hospital, Nutshill £350
2nd January, 1924 Motor Garage, Newton Mearns. 2 men were rescued. £20
One very severely burned was removed to Hospital
5th March, 1924 Private Villa, Newton Mearns £320
7th April, 1924 West Arthurlie Waterproofing Works £500
29th July, 1924 Shipbuilding Offices, Meadowside Street, Renfrew £1,500
28th August, 1924 Picketlaw Farm, Neilston £360
2nd January, 1925 Joiners Workshop, Renfrew £850
15th April, 1925 Langlee Farm, Eaglesham £420
2nd May, 1925 Babcock & Wilcox Works, Renfrew £550
13th July, 1925 Motor Garage, Mearns £350
8th November, 1925 Motor Garage, Neilston £455
8th December, 1925 Yoker School, Yoker £300
10th January, 1926 Bungalow, Giffnock £320
21st January, 1926 Semi-detached Bungalow, Whitecraigs £450
1st February, 1926 Motor Garage, Renfrew £500
30th March, 1926 Stable and Hay loft Thornliebank £300
25th April, 1926 Motor Bus, Nutshill £400
30th July, 1926 Shanks Engineering Works, Johnstone £15,000
30th September, 1926 Semi-detached Villa, Clarkston £600
18th October, 1926 Rosshall Mains, Crookston £650
23rd November, 1926 Motor Garage, Renfrew £300
10th December, 1926 Motor Bus, Neilston £1,000
27th December, 1926 Motor Bus, Whitecraigs £400
10th March, 1927 Aeroplane Crash, Renfrew. Pilot Killed. £3,000
4th October, 1927 Babcock & Wilcox Stores, Renfrew £2,000
23rd October, 1927 North Hillhead Farm, Mearns £400
29th December, 1927 Tenement Dwelling House, Newton Mearns £300
14th February, 1928 Bakehouse, Stable and Hay loft, Thornliebank £300
24th March, 1928 Thornliebank Calico Print Works £40,000
19th April, 1928 O’Hara’s Bus Garage, Newton Mearns. One Fireman very seriously £3,500
burned by an explosion of Petrol, detained in the Victoria Infirmary
for 8 weeks
4th May, 1928 Brittania Paint Factory, Renfrew £3,600
12th May, 1928 Motor Passenger Bus, Renfrew £2,000
7th June, 1928 O’Hara’s Bus Garage, Newton Mearns £350
10th June, 1928 Dwelling House, Lobnity Avenue, Renfrew £300
1st July, 1928 Self-contained Villa, Giffnock £1,500
30th September, 1928 Railway Waggons, Railway Siding, Benlee £350
9th February, 1929 Private Villa, Giffnock £375
13th February, 1929 Babcock & Wilcox, Renfrew £1,200
17th February, 1929 Workmen's Hut, Newton Mearns One man was rescued from this Hut, £150
he was very severely burned, removed to Hospital where he
succumbed to his injuries.
2nd March, 1929 Carmichaels Garage, Neilston £320
11th March, 1929 Greenfield Farm, Eaglesham £350
19th May, 1929 Eastfield Farm, Mearns £400
2nd August, 1929 O’Hara’s Newton Mearns £750
26th September, 1929 Motor Bus, Mearns £300
8th January, 1930 Sawmill, Shelford £1,000
31st March ,1930 Kirktonfield Bleach Works, Neilston £500
23rd September, 1930 Woodneuk Farm, Barrhead £400
26th December, 1930 Poultry Farm, Mearns. 1500 Poultry burned. £350
19th June,1931 Babcock & Wilcox Pattern Stores, Renfrew Firemaster Angus, £600
Firemen Manson and Milliken were overcome by the dense
smoke and fumes and had to be removed to Paisley Infirmary for
Treatment
17th March, 1932 Motor Bus, Mearns £1,150
25th April, 1932 Tenement, Glebe Street, Renfrew £2,500
30th July,1932 Todhill House, Mearns £2,000
6th September, 1932 Japston Farm, Uplawmoor £780
25th December, 1932 Semi-detached Villa, Giffnock £300
12th January, 1933 8 Railway Carriages, Muirend £10,000
25th January, 1933 Caldcoats Farm, Mearns £300
1st February, 1933 Babcock & Wilcox Pattern Stores £1,200
28th May, 1933 Broadlie Bleach Works, Neilston £8,050
18th May, 1934 Millholm Mills, Netherlee £3,500
17th July, 1934 Simons Pattern Stores, Renfrew £500
30th July, 1934 Grahamstone Hosiery, Barrhead £6,676
13th September, 1934 Self-contained Villa, Newton Mearns £1,250
25th March, 1935 Candren Farm, Inkerman £2,000
23rd May, 1935 Caldcoats Farm, Mearns £300
14th June, 1935 Garage and Workshop, Linwood £1,500
12th January, 1936 Millholm Flock Factory, Netherlee £1,250
13th June, 1936 Dykebar Asylum, Barrhead
20th June, 1936 Burnbank Chemical Works, Elderslie. Fireman Manson had an artery £5,000
severed in his wrist by falling glass from roof, removed to
Paisley Infirmary
15th August, 1936 Crashed Private Motor Car. Passenger killed outright and Driver £350
seriously injured and removed to Infirmary.
3rd December, 1936 Shanks &Co. Tubal Works, Barrhead £2,000
27th January, 1937 Tenement Dwelling Houses, Barrhead £300
15th May, 1937 Preparatory Boys School, Mearns. Firemaster Angus had an artery £350
severed in his left wrist by falling glass from roof.
11th June, 1937 Mearns. Collision between a Rolls-Royce Car and a Vauxhall Car, £2,550
the Rolls Car was destroyed by fire. Six occupants of the two cars
were removed to the Infirmary
3rd July, 1937 Joiners Shop, Eastwood Toll, Giffnock £500
11th October, 1937 Motor Lorry Collision with Tar Boiler, Giffnock. Both partly £300
destroyed by fire
1st February, 1938 Workshops and Stores, Hillington £1,282
17th February, 1938 Wellmeadow Farm, Mearns 2 Horses and 1 Dog Suffocated £1,185
11th May,1938 Polnoon Farm, Eaglesham £1,100
11th May,1938 Arden Lime Works, Darnley £1,600
12th November, 1938 Tenement Buildings, Barrhead £1,985
27th June, 1939 Terrace Dwelling House, Netherlee £1,950
3rd January, 1940 Private Villa, Giffnock 2 Persons badly burned £370
8th January, 1940 Darnley Mill Farm, Darnley £360
4th March,1940 Contractors Workshops, Hillington £320
4th April, 1940 Darnley Mill Farm, Darnley £300
1st May, 1940 Gyproe Factory, Hillington £300
15th May, 1940 Clyde Felt Factory, Hillington £350
18th May, 1940 Oakdene Piggery, Giffnock £620
8th June, 1940 Clyde Trust Wharf and Patrol Boat, Renfrew. 3 men badly burned £6,500
and removed to Victoria Infirmary
11th June, 1940 Clyde Felt Factory, Hillington £300
24th July, 1940 General Warehouse, Hillington £10,000
4th October, 1940 Longrigg Farm, Mearns £350
Number of Fire Hydrants in the County Fire Brigade Area 2,419
Number of Fire Alarms in the County Fire Brigade Area 95
Number of Calls received and responded to in the year 1939 108
Number of Feet of Hose used at Fires in the year 1939 16,300
Approximate loss by Fire for the past 10 years £94,832
Approximate valuation of County Area £1,500,000
Approximate population of County Area 130,000
RENFREWSHIRE AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
Fire Brigade & Auxiliary Fire Service Telephones
COUNTY CONTROL HEADQUARTERS
COUNTY BUILDINGS, PAISLEY PAIsley 3285/3286/3287
CONTROL AND REPORT CENTRES
RENFREW, 2397/8 GOUROCK 591/2
BARRHEAD, 1131/2 PORT GLASGOW 292/3
GIFFNOCK. 3023/4/5 JOHNSTONE 453/4
PERMANENT STATIONS
DARNLEY FIRE STATION Giffnock 219
DARNLEY FIRE STATION BARhead 2222/3
JOHNSTONE FIRE STATION Johnstone 65/6
PAISLEY FIRE STATION PAIsley 2104
GLASGOW FIRE STATION Bell 2222
GREENOCK FIRE STATION Greenock 48
GOUROCK FIRE STATION Gourock 6
UPPER DISTRICT LOWER DISTRICT
SENIOR OFFICERS OF AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
Thomas H. Robertson, Joesph Renton, Cartside (Day) PAIsley 3308
5, Neidpath Road, East, (Day) DOUglas 7551 Inn Millikenpark (Night) PAIsley 3308
Whitecraigs (Night) Giffnock 1989 Robert Armstrong
Alexander A. Kelton Ingleside, Johnshill (Day) Central 9151
Nevada, Dalfoil Court (Day) Central 1123 Lochwinnoch (Night) Lochwinnoch 260
Ralston (Night) HALfway 2367 George Thomson, St.
James H. Cameron, Winnock, Ulundi Road, (Day) Johnstone 68
12, Brown Street, (Day) Johnstone (Night)
Renfrew (Night) Renfrew 2080 Ronald Morris, (Day) City 0797
James McGrath, Redgates, Kilmacolm (Night) Kilmacolm 141
43, Levern Crescent (Day) BARhead 1153 Stanley Ross
Barrhead (Night) BARhead 1245 c/o Fire Station (Day) Elderslie 60
Thomas S. Haydock Johnstone (Night) Johnstone 65
10, Crofthead Cottages, (Day) BARhead 1138
Neilston (Night) BARhead 1138
John E. Laing, Gonochan
Tremain Road Giffnock (Day) South 2551
South (Night) Giffnock 470
John Lambie,
3 Williamwood Park West (Day) Merrylee 3322
Netherlie (Night) Merrylee 1268
AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE STATIONS
1 Merrylee, Station Garage Giffnock 2391 18 Johnstone, Headquarters 3 Thornhill
2 Netherlee, Linn Park Garage. Merrylee 4145 Johnstone 65
3 Busby BUSby 19 19 Linwood, Paper Mill Elderslie 172
4 Clarkston, Arundel School. Giffnock 1289 20 Johnstone, Flax Mill Johnstone452
5 Eastwood Toll, Giffnock Motor Co. Giffnock 2994 21 Milliken Park, Paper Mill Kilbarchan87
6 Whitecraigs, Atco Depot. NEWton Mearns 2452 22 Kilbarchan, Marshall's Yard, Ewing Street.
7 Newton Mearns, Anderson’s Garage. Newton Mearns 2962 Kilbarchan 160
23 Howwood, Midton House Garage.
8. Thornliebank, Speirsbridge Garage Giffnock 2921 Kilbarchan 84
24. Lochwinnoch,Eagle Garage.Lochwinnoch336
9. Nielston. Crofthead Works. BARrhead 1594 25. Bridge of Weir, Bankhead, Houston Road.
10. Barrhead, Burgh Chambers. BARrhead 1153 Bridge of Weir 73
11. Ralston, Scott Brown’s Garage. HALfway 2615 26. Houston, Houston House Garage.
12. Hillington Estates Garage HALfway 2686 Bridge of Weir 381
13. Porterfield Road, Renfrew Renfrew 2080 27. Bishopton, Langa, Old Greenock Road.
14. Fulbar Street, Renfrew Renfrew 2193 Bishopton 202
15. Clyde Trust Yard, Renfrew Renfrew 2084 28. Kilmacolm, McGarva’s Garage.
Kilmacolm 461
Port Glasgow Port Glasgow 74 Cragburn Pavilion Gourock 376
16. Elderslie, Connell’s Garage Elderslie 173 Gourock House Gourock 193
17. Johnstone, Clyde Garage Johnstone 65 Dunloe House, Wemyss Bay.
Wemyss Bay 3108
The Auxiliary Staff consists of 86 full time firemen and 298 part time firemen. 26 light Trailer pumps, 14 large Trailer pumps, 2 Mobile pumps and 1 Fire Escape-Tender.
Fire-Fighting Services During Peace Time and War
The auxiliary fire brigades that are
being formed in all parts of the United Kingdom, are defined as civilian
organisations for the protection and preservation of civilian life and property.
Free from anything approaching class or political distinction they are solely
directed against the ravages of a common enemy fire, which destroys life and
property, without selecting its victims.
Fire is admittedly a good servant but a terribly bad master. Official figures of
direct losses from outbreaks of fire in Great Britain and Ireland during the
period of 1933-1937 inclusive, show the total to be more than fifty millions
pounds sterling.
Bear in mind that this represents actual direct loss by fire. When consequential
losses are taken into account, such as stoppage of trade, loss of wages and
other indirect results, the figure becomes almost incalculable.
Millions of pounds, however, are as nothing when compared with the loss of human
life. Children, women and men, are killed by fire in appalling numbers; and, a
world-wide total would show a frightful example of the disasters which people of
all politics and beliefs combine to resist.
The official figures now available show that no fewer than 8,080 human beings
were burned to death in the period 1932-1936 inclusive in England, Scotland and
Wales.
On an average 585 children under the age of five years are annually killed by
fire in Great Britain. Besides these dead, there are thousands of people maimed,
disfigured and incapacitated.
SOUND REASONS.
Can any stronger reason be advanced for
the formation of auxiliary fire brigades? Anything which can be done to lessen
the wastages of life and excruciating suffering of fire’s victims should surely
have the support and encouragement of every man in every degree of life.
Another line of reasoning is found in the fact that fires occur at intervals and
that losses of life and property are spread over periods.
An ounce is appreciable a part of a ton, but, by itself, its weight is not
great; 35 thousand ounces (or to say one ton) in one parcel constitute a
different matter.
Equally well, if a year’s (or even a month’s) fire loss of life and property
occurred in a few minutes, or even a few hours, it would be a gigantic disaster
and the terror and dreadful suffering would be beyond thought.
However, intervals occur between accidental fires, and although our losses are
terrific when considered over a period of years, the series of major and minor
disasters caused by fire during one’s lifetime are generally forgotten, unless
oneself, a relative or some friend has been involved.
<PHOTO> AN OLD MANUAL ENGINE. (Being operated by about 16 men.)
A little thought, however, brings to mind ghastly newspaper reports of death by
fire suffered by innocent children, invalids, women and others incapable of
helping themselves, when the panic fiend, who works hand in hand with fire, has
also contributed to the death total.
No civilised people can sit still and allow fire, or any other controllable
menace to work its will without restraint. Fire prevention and fire extinction
are, therefore, branches of defence which commend themselves to all
humanitarians
It would, therefore, require no further demonstration to prove the necessity for
all citizens of this country to interest themselves in the organisations now
being formed in the principal towns and cities, whereby every fit person can
have the opportunity to learn modern methods of fire-fighting.
Fire-fighting experts say that, it is the first few seconds that count of any
fire, and that every outbreak is due to human imprudence.
Every fire has to make a start, and if the right person is nearby and knows what
to do, an incipient outbreak can be prevented from developing into a
conflagration.
LIFE AND PROPERTY.
Promptitude and coolheadedness combined
with a little training in rescue work, will preserve life and save property,
which includes the weekly pay packet.
“Fire consciousness” or the understanding of the dangers of fire, would, if
thoroughly appreciated by everyone, render legislation redundant in regard to
kitchen fire guards in the home, complicated compulsions in public buildings and
factories, and elsewhere, because fire precautions would be undertaken naturally
and without legal pressure.
It may also be claimed that knowledge of fire-fighting and certainly fire
prevention, should form part of each efficient citizen’s mental equipment,
exactly as first-aid training to deal quickly with physical injuries is now
becoming general.
Early records of Chinese civilisation show that fire-fighting organisations were
recognised as necessities centuries ago, while in the medieval times in Europe
and elsewhere, evidence of fire extinguishing activities can be traced. We are
therefore pressing no new thing but are merely following on lines laid down by
our predecessors.
If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.