EAST RENFREWSHIRE FIRE BRIGADE

 

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 Renfrewshire Fire Brigade

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.

 

C02/6/2/16                           Renfrewshire Council Minutes 1912

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)

 

C02/6/2/17                           Renfrewshire Council Minutes 1915

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.

 

 

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