DUNOON FIRE SERVICE

1889           CENTENARY     1989

One hundred years ago on 16th February, 1889, a Fire Brigade was officially founded in Dunoon and to mark the centenary of the event this book has been produced, documenting the history of the Fire Brigade in Dunoon.

The author, Station Officer David Dalziel, has researched and written a book which, although Fire Service orientated, will be of great interest to the local community. Younger members of the community will gain an insight into how things used to be whilst the not so young will be reminded of incidents and local "characters" from the past. I'm quite sure that many who read the book will "recognise" people and possibly relatives somewhere in its pages.

It will also remind everyone of the continual fight against fire, and the ever present need to be aware of the dangers of fire that affect us either in our homes or at our places of work and leisure. You can never take a chance with fire.

I am pleased to be associated with this publication and take this opportunity to wish the author and publisher every success with their venture.

Clive B. Halliday Q.F.S.M. MIFireE

Firemaster

Strathclyde Fire Brigade

David Dalziel joined the former South Western Area Fire Brigade in Ardrossan in 1969 transferring to Glasgow Fire Service in 1971. He rose through the ranks in Glasgow and served in various stations in the city. He came to Argyll as District Officer for Cowal and Bute in April 1978 with responsibili­ties for operations, training and fire prevention. Married with two children, he will complete 20 years of service in June of this year.

INDEX

INTRODUCTION

Dunoon is the largest of the Burgh towns in Argyll and is the main town in the Cowal Peninsula having something like 34 per cent of the population of the entire county.

The town achieved Burgh status in 1868 under The Police and General Improvements (Scotland) Act 1862.

The name Dunoon probably comes from the Gaelic "Dun-oidhean" or "the place where strangers or guests resort" and it is to this popular Clyde coast holiday resort that this fire service history is concerned.

Much has been written about the fire service generally, including numerous history books, both nationally and on a local basis.

It is an indication of the public's interests in and respect for the Fire Brigade that such publications continue to appear.

This particular one, however, is solely intended to mark 100 years of dedicated public service to the people of Dunoon and the surrounding Cowal Peninsula by local residents who volunteered to save life, protect property and render humanitarian services as members of the fire service in Dunoon over the last century.

Around 1791, about 30 families stayed in the town and this has risen to today's figure of about 12,000 in the Burgh area alone.

Probably relevant to this is a mention of population figures generally in Argyll where, in the census of 1831, the population of the county was 181,000. Yet some 62 years later, in 1893, that figure had dropped to around 74,000 (today's resident population is now around the 65,600 mark).

This depopulation resulted in vast, sparsely populated areas which, together with the until recently, indifferent roads, led the Burgh brigades such as Dunoon being virtually on their own.

Certainly for any serious fires, had they occurred in city areas, the resources used to deal with them would be at least doubled and it is fair to say that, even to this day, a "make pumps 3" in Dunoon would almost certainly be a 6 or 7 pump fire in Glasgow and the rare "make pumps 5" would attract between 10 and 15 pumps in an urban area.

Account should therefore be taken of the responsibility, risk, dedication and sheer hard work carried out by local retained firemen who, even in today's modern service, have to wait over 45 minutes for a supporting appliance to arrive.

Some of the more dramatic and memorable fires are recounted later in this book and others are covered in somewhat less detail in appendix 1, not only by way of an historical record but also hopefully to jog some old memories.

THE EARLY YEARS - 1889 to 1900

Dunoon Fire Brigade was officially formed on February 16, 1889, and has progressed from a small Burgh Brigade, having originally only five members (later to rise to eight), to a modern two pump retained station manned by 20 personnel equipped with the latest in firefighting equipment.

In October, 1868, the Burgh was formed with the motto "Forward" and had 12 elected members known as the Police Commissioners.

These Commissioners first discussed a public water supply in 1871 and this was finally established at Auchamore in 1877.

In 1895, due to an increased demand for water, steam boilers and pumps were installed at Loch Loskin and fed into the Burgh mains.

On December 15, 1877, the Commissioners agreed to keep hose for firefighting although it was not clear who was intended to use it as it was another 12 years before the Burgh Brigade was formed.

In February, 1879, questions were being asked about the state of the "fire reel" whereby the matter was referred to the Water Committee.

A steamer was destroyed by fire while sailing in the Holy Loch in March, 1886, and caused some public concern.

In September, 1887, local newspapers covered the story of the rescue of a young boy from a house fire in Hillfoot Street and in December of the same year carried the advertisement of a Glasgow firm offering delivery hose and suction hose for sale.

In January, 1889, the Commissioners, under Provost Oswald, recommended that a fire brigade be formed.

A sub-committee was set up to estimate the cost of helmets and equipment and Mr James Collie, the Burgh Surveyor, placed an advertisement on January 30 for four men for a local fire brigade.

It was under the first Firemaster, Hugh Ritchie, that the Brigade was formed with the following members - E. Caskie, M. Ward, T. Thomson and D. Jeffrey.

Mention is made later in this history of the Jeffrey family's unique association with the fire service from its origins through 89 years of continuous family service until the last of the Jeffreys retired in 1978.

The original fire station was little more than a timber shed and was sited in Castle Street on the site of the car park of Dunoon Primary School opposite the entrance gates to the Tulloch Library.

The cover photograph of the Brigade Shows the crew in front of that building built by James Ewing in 1822 as his mansion house.

The "fire engine" of the time was a two wheeled, horse-drawn cart which carried two small and very basic timber ladders.

The Brigade had its first practice turnout in May, 1889 (referred to as a "sham alarm"), where a telegram was received by the keeper of the Burgh Hall from Kirn.

The Brigade arrived some 45 minutes later.

The delay was probably due to having to borrow horse power from the Loch Eck stables off Argyll Road (where Miller Terrace is now). Unfortunately, these stables were later destroyed by fire.

Originally, eight drill sessions a year were carried out with the sum of half a crown (12p) being

paid for each drill with an extra sixpence (2.5p) for the "Captain", Mr Ritchie.

Today's retained crews have training nights every Wednesday of the year, together with centralised recruit and specialist courses.

Some interesting comparisons may be made, one being that around the mid to late 19th century Brigades were being founded throughout the UK. Edinburgh in 1824, London 1833, Oban 1885 and Campbeltown and Clydebank in 1887, so that Dunoon was a little behind the times when it came to fire protection.

The second point worthy of note was that the fees paid to Brigade members still hadn t risen above 4/6d for the fireman even in the late 1930s.

Compare that 15 to 20 pence then to the £8 or so paid to today's retained man for a turnout.

In September of 1889 the Burgh Surveyor was asked why the Brigade equipment was allowed to lie in the Burgh buildings and not be maintained and why the town's "fire plugs" (hydrants) were not being regularly inspected.

The Surveyor replied that there was an annual cash reward for the best turned out fireman! An incentive for improvement perhaps?

In the same month a fire occurred at Kilmun Homes, occupied at that time by the Glasgow Abstainers' Union, where, at about 1815 hours, a section of the roof was seen to be alight.

A messenger was sent to Strone village to dispatch a telegram to Dunoon and this message was finally received at about 1945 hours.

The Brigade finally arrived at 2100 (almost three hours from the discovery of the fire) and, faced with a water supply problem, drew water from the cistern above the pantry.

The crew, under the supervision of Mr Collie, the Burgh Surveyor, stripped over 40 metres of damaged roof.

The Brigade had regular fire calls although not all were recorded. One notable incident on April 24, 1890, was a serious fire which badly damaged the roof and two rooms of the Victoria Restaurant in Ferry Brae.

By December of 1890 the Brigade, resplendent in their new uniforms, paraded through the town to Hunter's Quay where they carried out a hose and hydrant drill opposite the Royal Marine Hotel.

In May, 1891, a Jane Heaney was sentenced to nine months in Inveraray jail for wilful fireraising following a serious dwelling house fire in Dunoon.

In September of the same year it was reported to the Water Committee that the fire hose and manual engine were defective and the shed for storing the equipment "not sufficient". Commented a local paper: "If a fire were to break out in Dunoon the Fire Brigade would scarcely do wonders"!

As a result of this concern the Burgh Surveyor reported back to the Commissioners late in 1891 and confirmed the sad state of the town's fire equipment and manual pump whose estimated repairs would cost £9.

It was decided that the manual should only be used for calls outwith the Burgh as the towns mains were capable of giving a satisfactory supply.

For Burgh purposes several lengths of canvas hose and four lengths of leather hose at £7.lOs each were to be purchased, together with a breeching piece "to enable two water jets to be brought to bear" and a further six ball hydrants installed.

A complaint had been received from the firemen about the weight of the fire reel. It was said that "they were exhausted after running any distance with the reel and incapable of energetic work for some time after arrival."

The proposed equipment still hadn't arrived in March of the following year but by July of 1892, the Brigade were the proud owners of 400 feet of canvas hose, two standpipes, a breeching, and basic small ladders.

They were also equipped with a new hose and ladder carriage built by local coachbuilder Daniel Ferguson.

THE CROWN HOTEL

The first documented mention of the series of fires which struck the Crown Hotel (later the Crusader Hotel) in Argyll Street, was in March 1892 when the owner, a Mr Otto Lorenz, was fined half a crown for having a chimney fire.

More serious fires occurred in this property in later years including a fatal incident in 1969.

It should be noted that occupiers are no longer charged with the offence of a "foul vent" and that the Brigade's services at fires is free.

In May, 1948, the Brigade were back to the Crown Hotel and had a jet in use in a top floor room.

On August31, 1962, yet another incident led to two jets being brought to bear on a fire in the lounge area.

The fatal incident was on Sunday, May 18, 1969. At 0253 the Brigade received a call and on arrival the crews were faced with the roof and attic bedrooms well alight.

Three jets were used to bring this fire under control and firemen later recovered the body of the hotel's handyman in the debris of a top floor room.

The last in the series of calls to this property was in October 1982 when the hotel (by now called the Crusader) was under refurbishment.

At 1228 hours on Thursday, October 7, the Brigade were again called and on arrival were faced with a serious and developing fire at first floor level.

Determined efforts under punishing heat and smoke conditions using two jets and six BA sets led to crews confining the blaze to first floor level, although there was considerable heat and smoke damage elsewhere.

Glasgow Salvage Corps attended this incident (one of their three visits to fires in Dunoon over the years) and the hotel remains closed to this day.

In July, 1893, three resignations had been received from the Brigade and it was said by the commissioners that "should a fire occur this could be very awkward"!

Later that same year, the recruitment problem apparently solved, the names and addresses of the town's firemen were displayed outside the Burgh Hall to assist in turnout times (thought to be about 10 minutes at that time.)

A serious fire resulting in the death of four horses, destroyed the stables of Castle Lachlan in September 1893.

In October of that same year great public interest was shown, in the trial and subsequent jailing of the owner of Chadwick Drapers shop at 80 Argyll Street which had been wilfully set alight.

In 1895 some concern was expressed that the members of the Brigade stayed too far apart and that there could be some delay in summoning them. A suggestion was made to house them in the Castle House for which a rent could be charged.

It was emphasised that this was not a reflection on the Brigade itself, as it had recently been praised by the West of Scotland Fire Office (Insurers).

The Burgh Brigade remained active in those early days both within the town and elsewhere and records show them attending at an incident which resulted in the loss of the stables of Castle Toward in July 1895.

INTO THE 20th CENTURY

The start of the new century was marked in Brigade terms by one of the most serious fires the area had suffered in its history.

Just before 10 am on Saturday, June 5, 1904, fire was discovered at the Royal Hotel, Innellan. Despite efforts to contain the outbreak by staff and guests the fire rapidly took hold.

The Brigade was faced with a major incident on their arrival and due to a poor water supply, concentrated it's efforts on salvage work.

Newspapers of the day commented in great detail on the loss of various kinds of alcohol and the loss of five pianos!

Mention was also made of how water was played on tarpaulin covered champagne to keep it cool! Less successful, however, was the fate of the hotel itself which was reduced to its outer walls.

The fire was caused by radiated heat from the sun's rays igniting the timber beading of the glass dome which was a feature of the hotel. The loss was estimated at over £12,000.

There were a number of fires which hit the subsequently rebuilt hotel until the final one 76 years later which ended in the total destructon of the Royal.

Details of that fire are covered later in this book.

Prior to the Brigade's formation a serious fire, reported to have been even worse than the Innellan incident, extensively damaged the Royal Marine Hotel in Hunter's Quay. Unfortunately, little recorded detail is available on that incident.

The coming of the twentieth century also brought new life into the town with, in 1905, the opening of the Dunoon Pavilion by H.R.H. Princess Louise and in 1907 (when horses were still the main source of transport), the decision to build at a cost of £4300, a new Burgh Stables, General Depot and Fire Engine Station.

Thus the Brigade found it second home in Hamilton Street, thought to be at that time the first purpose built fire station in Argyll.

The station is now council houses at the entrance to the District Council Yard although the shape of the appliance room doors is still visible.

The housing above originally provided accommodation for the Firemaster Mr Jeffrey, and was occupied by the family until the last incumbent, David Jeffrey, moved to Clyde Street in Kirn.

Even the old station couldn't escape the risk of fire when in 1985 two crews from Dunoon rescued a mother and son via a smokelogged close by the use of breathing apparatus.

In 1926 members of the local brigade were -David Jeffrey Snr. (Firemaster), P. Harper, C. Jeffrey, D. Jeffrey Jnr., J. Kent, J. McPherson, T. Kinnaway, and James Thomson. The latter appeared to be for many years the Brigade's only driver.

It is worthy of note that the local fire brigade establishment remained at eight until an auxiliary crew was recruited around World War II. These men were known as "the second 8".

By 1926 the annual drills had increased to 24.

The town's first housing scheme was also started in Hamilton Street in 1928 with the general use of electricity in the Burgh coming the following year.

On Friday, October 8, 1937, the Brigade was called to a tenement fire at Marshall Place, Shore Road, Innellan. On arrival the property was well alight and, faced with an indifferent water supply, crews concentrated on preventing spread to adjoining houses.

It was over seven hours before the blaze was finally extinguished and crews remained on the fireground for over 10 hours.

Four of the eight flats were completely gutted and the remainder severely damaged rendering the families homeless.

The Burgh fireman never had the familiar brass helmets of the Victorian era - they were leather - and therefore were not exposed to the electrical risks associated with the brass type, but this was probably due to the council's interest in cost rather than an early attempt at health and safety.

An example of this occurred following Firemaster David Jeffrey's secondment to Glasgow Fire Service in the 1930s - as a result of which the town obtained it's first breathing apparatus in the form of proto sets, a London controlled branch and a jump sheet, with thought being given to obtaining a second appliance.

Firemaster Jeffrey was subsequently sent in 1936 to Greenock to uplift a new Leyland machine identical to Greenock's, except that the Burgh appliance did not have a fixed hosereel and had brass fittings as opposed to chrome.

The Burgh did however, retain their existing Model T. Ford type appliance with its Stanley engine and it was in 1936 that two appliances became available in the town.

Until the formation of Strathclyde in 1975 it was the normal practice to mobilise only one appliance to all calls and only in cases of serious fires was the second machine turned out.

In the event of anyone wondering about the fireman's helmets, they progressed from the original leather through the NFS steel grey type issued from the war years until the 1940's when the black compressed cork came in, progressing to black fibre glass and the now familiar yellow helmet of today.

Some readers may be interested to know that the traditional fireman's axe is no longer a personal issue.

THE WAR YEARS.

In common with all Burgh and other local Brigades in the UK Dunoon became part of the National Fire Service (NFS) during the Second World War and was designated as Station B2.

The first professional firemen (wholetime personnel) to serve in Dunoon originated through the continuous manning of the Hamilton Street Station during the NFS between 1942 and 1946 and, as mentioned earlier, it was during this period that this second eight were recruited as members of the AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) but were actually incorporated into the Burgh Brigade.

Wholetime personnel at that time were Leading Fireman Dalgleish and Firemen Cathro, Henderson, McConnel, Taylor and Arlow. The "second 8" were Messrs. D. McLaughlin, C. Jeffrey, D. Thomson, H. Scrimegour, W. Carrol, A. More, J. Nichol and W. Bryce.

Not until the formation of the Western Area Fire Brigade, however, was a senior supervisory wholetime officer based in Dunoon. A list of those officers is given in Appendix 3.

In addition to the permanent manning of Dunoon station other interesting developments around the Burgh and Cowal were worthy of note. Pumps and equipment were dispersed throughout the area and large trailer pumps located at the boat yard in Sandbank, Helena Place in Kirn, in a purpose built brick sub-station on the island at Brandon Street, with a further sub-station at Baird's Garage in Auchamore Road.

Each of these units were manned during air raid alerts.

Most of the training of AFS personnel was undertaken by Firemaster David Jeffrey. Trailer Pump competitions were held at Strone Pier in June, 1944, with teams from Dunoon, Strone, Sandbank and the Royal Navy taking part.

Sandbank's fire party of Alex Martin, William Craig, Thomas Paul and Finlay McKenzie came out as winners on the day.

While the 1940's were not particularly active for the Brigade there were more than a fair share of serious fires.

A notable war time incident which is still remembered was the "Elm Rest" chip shop at the corner of Hillfoot Street and Auchamore Road. Owned by Flemings it was completed gutted in April 1940.

One of the most serious outbreaks to occur during the war years was on Wednesday, January 8, 1941, when the Brigade was called to the offices of Wilson and Bisset (Accountants) in John Street.

The ground floor premises of the Scottish Wool and Hosiery Store was well alight and the first floor offices heavily smokelogged with severe heat conditions.

This was one of the earliest difficult incidents involving the prolonged use of breathing apparatus in the town with men working under arduous conditions for over one hour to bring the fire under control.

The ground floor shop was destroyed but the efforts of the fire crews prevented serious damage to the first floor offices.

In July 1944 a barn at Orchard Farm, near Kilmun, caught fire. The nearest available water supply was over 400 metres away and, as a pump relay was being set up, the Brigade was reported as organising a bucket chain and spraying the fire with stirrup pumps.

Fairly ambitious given that the barn was 30 metres by 12 metres and eventually required the use of three main jets to extinguish.

WESTERN AREA FIRE BRIGADE.

In 1947, following the war years, the National Fire Service was disbanded and Brigades returned to local authority control.

Under The Fire Services Act of 1947, the Western Area Fire Brigade was formed with a joint board established to cover the counties of Argyll, Bute and Renfrewshire together with the Burghs of Greenock, Paisley and Port Glasgow.

Dunoon became "D" Division headquarters (Argyll and the Isles) of that Brigade with the Divisional Officer in charge of the county based in the town.

The County Council had actually opposed the inclusion of Argyll within Western Area and wrote to the Secretary of State favouring retention of the National Fire Service as the proposed system would lead to a 4p in the £ increase in the rates!

When originally founded as a small Burgh Brigade, the rank of the officer in charge was officially designated as Firemaster (occasionally referred to as "Captain") and this rank continued until the NFS era when the title became Company Officer.

This rank was retained until 1955 when the current designation of Station Officer came into use.

Regardless of rank, title or designation however, all officers in charge in Argyll tend still to be referred to as the "Firemaster". A record of all Dunoon's officers in charge is given in Appendix 2.

By the end of National Fire Service period and just prior to the formation of the Western area -i.e. May 1946- members of Dunoon station were Messrs. Jeffrey, Moore, Walker, Fletcher, Gifford, Scrimegour, Inglis, Kent, Cartwright, McGregor, Buchanan, Walker, Bryson, Dalgliesh, Fisher, Henderson, McNab, Black and Firewoman Johnston (who undertook watchroom duties).

The drill night was, and remains to this day, a Wednesday evening. (From 1900 to 2200).

THE DUNOON PAVILION FIRE

At 0500 hours on Sunday, 3rd April, 1949 the Dunoon Pavilion, opened some 44 years earlier and the largest building of its kind in the County, suffered an outbreak of fire.

The fire was first noticed by the night watchman on Dunoon Pier and resulted in one of the largest incidents witnessed in the area.

The building which was a well known landmark was heavily involved before fire crews arrived and immediate assistance was requested.

Eventually support arrived in the shape of a fire float from Greenock with two crews aboard commanded by the Firemaster of Western Area, Mr Bowman, and a third appliance from Inveraray.

An indication of the task facing the firefighters was the Press report of the blaze being at its height 10 minutes after the Dunoon firemen arrived.

The building was almost totally destroyed although the determined efforts of the firemen saved the shops and part of the restaurant.

Provost Marshall praised the efforts of the Fire Service and thanked them for their prompt attendance and professional manner in which they dealt with the incident.

The present Queen's Hall stands on the site of the old Pavilion.

THE JEFFREY CONNECTION

The Fire Service could hardly be considered a family business.

The nearest thing to a family concern, however, must be the connection that the Jeffrey family has had with the local fire service since its inception in 1889.

It would require a book on its own to do justice to the family's long and distinguished association with the Fire Service in Dunoon and this is merely a short record of this unique contribution.

Back on the 16th of February, 1889, a Jeffrey joined the original Brigade and became the town's Firemaster. Brothers, fathers, uncles and sons followed on to give continuous service for 89 of the 100 years service to the community, the vast majority of that time as the town's "Firemaster." The last incumbent, Station Officer David Jeffrey, of "Blairview," Clyde Street, in Kirn, retired in 1978 having been the officer in charge of the station for over 26 years.

There have been times over the years when several members of the family served at the same time and records show some serious incidents in the past where four Jeffreys were present.

The name is part and parcel of the local Brigade and, by way of tribute, I have taken some of the detail from the obituary of the late David Jeffrey who died in September, 1944, the last official Burgh Firemaster.

On September 2, 1944, at Dunoon Fire Station, Mr David Jeffrey, Burgh Firemaster, died after a few weeks illness. Mr Jeffrey succeeded his father as Firemaster in 1928, his family having been associated with the service since the town became a Burgh.

The service was held at the Fire Station and was attended by the Provost, members of the Town Council, Deputy Fire Force Commander McCorkindale of No.2 Area NFS, together with members of the Fire Service.

The coffin was then placed on the fire engine and taken to Dunoon Cemetery flanked by local firemen.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL FIRE.

The old Dunoon Grammar School (now Dunoon Primary) suffered a major fire on September 7, 1958. The blaze destroyed 14 classrooms, a large section of the roof and resulted in three local firemen being injured.

Station Officer David Jeffrey and Fireman Laidlaw quickly recovered but Fireman Jack Gibson who had fallen from the roof was so badly injured that he was subsequently medically discharged from the Brigade.

By the mid 1960's plans had been made for a replacement for the Hamilton Street Station and in June, 1965 site clearance work had begun on the old town curling pond next to Montgomery's Garage in Argyll Street where, on Wednesday, May 25, 1966, the present fire station was opened.

The officer in charge, Station Officer David Jeffrey, commanded 1 Sub Officer, 2 Leading Firemen and 17 firemen and was equipped with two Dennis Rolls Royce Water Tenders.

Amongst other dignatories attending were Provost Trapp of Dunoon, HM Inspector of Fire Services (Scotland), Firemaster Hartil of Western Area and other visiting firemasters together with the Chief Constable of Argyll.

The station has had its share of high powered visitors. In October 1967 the Holroyd Committee, who were undertaking a national review into the fire service, visited and in May 1979, the Scottish branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers held its meeting in the station prior to their visit to the US Navy Depot ship at the nuclear submarine base in the Holy Loch.

It was a rare honour for this body to conduct its meetings in a retained station. They must have enjoyed the visit as they later returned to visit the large LNG tankers in Loch Striven.

The Brigade in Dunoon has progressed from the original crew of five to its present establishment of 20, but the requirements imposed on qualification to became a retained fireman haven't altered much.

In the early 1800's when Glasgow was virtually a retained Brigade the following was part of the regulations governing the recruitment of firemen

- "The Superintendent in selecting his firemen should only take men of sober and steady habits who are certified by the surgeon to be fit and give a preference to tradesmen whose residence is near the fire station".... Not much has changed!

MOBILISING THEN AND NOW

Today's retained firemen are local residents who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are called by means of pocket alerters known as "bleepers".

On a call the men respond to the station where the Brigade's computer based command and control system has printed out details of the incident on the station printer.

The brigade control room in Johnstone is linked via the computer to every fire appliance and officers car by means of on-board status and location "button boxes" which automatically identify a resources availability.

Today's command and control system is far removed from the original telegrams and a vast improvement on the following ad hoc system.

Appliances in Argyll did not have radios until 1974 so that when they were dispatched to an incident - especially up country - there was a system of contacting police, farms and householders who could stop machines en route to an incident where they were no longer required.

Such a scheme obviously had its drawbacks and an excellent example of this was when both Dunoon appliances were sent to a reported serious hotel fire in Tighnabruaich in 1962 to assist the then volunteer unit.

Each appliance went by a separate route due to adverse weather conditions.

Area Control received word that the two appliances were no longer required and arrangements were made to contact a farm en route to the incident to stop the second appliance. This the householder did.

The call was in the month of January at 0230 and as it was a cold morning the crew were enjoying the farm's hospitality and getting nicely warmed and ready to return to Dunoon when the first appliance shot past en route to the fire.

The wrong machine had been stopped and meanwhile the Tighnabruaich volunteers were fighting a losing battle at the Manor Hotel which was completely destroyed by the time Dunoon arrived.

Four jets had been used to fight the fire and the Brigade's annual report for the year commented on the value of well-trained volunteer firemen!

MATCHING THE CHALLENGE

It is estimated that Dunoon Fire Station has attended something like 17,000 calls in its 100 years and, as the calls become more frequent and complex, then so the equipment changes to match the challenge.

No longer are firefighters confined to fighting fires. Typical of other non-fire emergencies (referred to as special services) are chemical incidents, petrol and gas tankers overturned, road accidents with persons trapped, people stuck in lifts, up quarries, on roofs and machinery.

Pumping out property and boats (including the Waverley on more than one occasion) was a common occurrence and, in recent years, standing by helicopter landings.

Special services certainly aren't a new task for Dunoon firemen. For example the log book shows that in 1950 Company Officer Jeffrey with Leading Fireman Fisher and Fireman Laidlaw went to Glen Shirra with B.A. sets to assist at a tunnel rescue of trapped workmen, and in 1937 crews were in attendance for over 17 hours pumping out the sunken steamer "Headlight".

The equipment carried on a first line appliance indicates this varied role and today's pump carries four positive pressure BA sets, chemical protection suits, hydraulic road accident rescue equipment, portable radios, radiation detection instruments, lighting generators, high pressure pumps and sophisticated first aid and resuscitation equipment together with advanced firefighting and salvage gear.

All of this is at the disposal of today's retained firefighter who is equipped identically to his wholetime counterparts in the city and is expected to react to incidents with the same proficiency.

The area has unfortunately suffered many serious fires and these are frequently referred to elsewhere in this publication but improvements in buildings has seen a marked decline over the years in the frequent calls to chimney fires, hearth boxes, regular loss of roofs and the (at one time) all too common serious incidents at the old town gas works.

Despite all of the improvements in fire precautions and building construction Dunoon station still responds to about 200 calls a year. Where the town has been fortunate is in the relatively low numbers of fatal fires attended, although in the late 1970's early 1980's the station was attending an average of one fatal fire every six months.

Another notable pattern experienced in the mid 1980's not normally encountered was a spate of malicious fire calls and, in a 12 month period from June 1984, 58 cases of wilful fireraising were reported, road vehicles suffering the brunt of that.

Summoning Dunoon's firemen over the years has also changed. Until the second world war the Brigade was turned out by a steam horn in the old gas works, but during the war the siren could not be used as this was also the signal for air raids.

Once the threat of invasion had passed (when the sounding of church bells was the signal) the bell of St. John's Church was used to turn out the unit.

The ban on the use of the church bells had caused the town council some concern, to the extent that a minute of the Water Committee in July, 1944, showed that they considered manning "the station full time even if it cost £400"!

The turnout system progressed and from December 1, 1945, each fireman's house was equipped with house bells and backed up by sirens.

The system was operated by the local police and remained in use until April 30, 1975, when all personnel were issued with their pocket alerters.

Locals will recall the regular testing of the old siren (which was only used between the hours of 0730 and 2230). The station siren is still maintained operational and is now linked to the "early warning" system for nuclear attack.

STRATHCLYDE FIRE BRIGADE

Local government re-organisation in May 1975 saw a further change in the Fire Service and the end of Western Area Fire Brigade.

From that date Dunoon became part of 'F' Division of Strathclyde Fire Brigade and re-designated station F.24.

Members serving at the changeover were -Station Officer D. Jeffrey, Sub Officer N. Fletcher, Leading Firemen A. McFarlane and C. Hart with Firemen M. Mcphee, I Saidler, J. Duffy, W. Miller, J. Hunter, D. Sweeney, G. Duffy, R. Sommerville, I. Allison, A. Graham, A. A. McFarlane and A. Dallas.

THE ROYAL HOTEL INNELLAN.

Some readers may recall the disastrous blaze which struck the Royal Hotel in Innellan in 1904. And this same hotel was the scene of many attendances by the Brigade over the years, the first of note being on Saturday, June 10, 1972, when the station received a call at 0415 hours and arrived to find the first floor heavily smokelogged.

One jet, four hosereel jets and four BA sets were used to control the fire which resulted in five rooms and a passageway on the first floor being severely damaged.

And so, 76 years after the first major fire to hit the hotel, the station had its first and, to date, only £lm loss when on Saturday, June 28, 1980, the 80 roomed premises were engulfed.

Originally buflt in 1851, the building was internally rebuilt after the 1904 fire.

Just before 0500 a passing Clyde mail boat spotted a fire in the hotel and the call was subsequently passed to the Brigade.

Such was the severity of the incident that the responding wholetime officer made pumps 4 enroute to the incident and arrived to find the central core of the hotel well alight with a report that members of staff were reported missing.

Pumps were immediately made 5 with a subsequent increase to six, the Brigade Control Unit and Glasgow Salvage Corps attending. The incident was eventually commanded by the then Assistant Firemaster of Strathclyde, John Hales.

Ten jets and six BA sets were brought into use from a 400 metre relay rising over 22 metres from the Clyde.

All members of staff were eventually accounted for, but the blaze ended in the total collapse and subsequent demolition of this historic Clyde landmark.

It had taken crews over three hours to sufficiently control the fire to enable a stop to be returned and the incident was not finally closed until 2230 on the following day.

Two similar major incidents over 30 years apart illustrate the problems that must have been faced with the limited resources available to the Dunoon Brigade in its earlier years.

On Wednesday, May 5, 1937, the Brigade received a call at 1050 hours to fire in Ferguson's Joiners Yard in Hanover Street. A North West gale was blowing that night and the responding crew of eight men (the town's entire firefighting force) were faced with a major fire which eventually started six serious fires in houses as far apart as Victoria Road and Royal Crescent. Embers were also landing on Dunoon Pier.

Eight separate but simultaneous fires and only eight men who were out for a total of 22 hours.

Thirty-two years later (and at the other end of the town) on Sunday, March 16, 1969, a call was received at 2039 hours to a reported fire at Hay's Joiners Shop on Kirn Brae. Two pumps responded with Divisional Officer Bond in charge.

Once again crews were faced with gale force winds and a bitter two-and-a-half hour battle to save a number of properties.

Pumps were made three with a supporting appliance coming from Inveraray, but despite the Brigade's valiant efforts a two-storey joiner's shop, three outhouses and a two-storey house were destroyed in the fire.

Two other houses were severely damaged and small fires caused damage to 11 other roofs. This incident is recalled as something resembling the blitz.

TRADITIONS.

The members of Dunoon Fire Station have established a number of traditions over the years.

Famous amongst them were the "Dunivards", so called after the local hotel in which the station held its social functions.

The annual Christmas Party for children held in the station was first held on December 18, 1943, in the old Hamilton Street Station where Fireman Charles Jeffrey was the first "Santa". The toys were hand made by the Firemen and on leaving the kids were presented with a bag of fruit, sweets and a one shilling piece.

Christmas day, 1943, however was spent fighting a hayshed fire at Killellan Farm, Toward. Ex-Fireman George Laidlaw has continued the "Santa" tradition over recent years.

In 1979 the Station held its first open day and bed race to raise money for charity. This has become a major annual event locally and has raised over £15,000 for various charities, the majority of which are Dunoon based. Finally, and most important of all, is the continued "tradition" carried out by the retained personnel of Dunoon Fire Station who gave a dedicated service to the town and surrounding Cowal community as members of Strathclyde Fire Brigade.

                         David John Dalziel.

APPENDIX ONE

List Of Serious Fires

28.07.31         Called at 0120 to the Holy Trinity Church Manse in Kilbride Road and in attendance for eight hours.

31.07.35         £2000 damage to Ardnadam Hotel.

01.03.36         10 hours at fire which damaged the roof and North West turret of St. John's Church in Victoria Road.

10.10.36         £700 damage and in attendance for 17 hours at Lady Campbell's Estate in Strachur.

28.03.39         At 2315 on this Saturday evening the Brigade were called to the Dunoon Herald Offices and Works, Cross Buildings, Argyll Street. A severe fire caused over £2000 worth of damage and detained the Brigade for over 14 hours. Damage was also caused to dwellings and Bryson's the Chemist

02.12.39         A reported £5000 loss at an incident in D. Munro and sons, Boatbuilders, Blairmore.

13.12.49         Cairndow School destroyed by fire.

28.05.52         The New York Hotel (now Mount Melville) in Stewart Street, Kirn. Top floor well alight, four jets.

07.02.54         Barclay & McKenzie, Joiners, Auchamore Road, five jets.

28.03.62         At 0210 on that Wednesday morning the station were called to the Laudervale Hotel in the Bullwood.

                         This large property was well alight on arrival and over 50 per cent of it was subsequently destroyed in the blaze which also claimed the life of the owner (George Jones) whose body was not recovered for over eight hours. Two firemen were injured at the fire which was fought with six jets from open water. Stop duties lasted a further two days.

03.03.65         On the site adjoining the present station. Montgomery's Garage caught fire just after midnight on a Wednesday. The incident resulted in the total loss of the large single-storey garage and    showroom and was fought with five jets.

27.11.67         Roof of Dunclutha - three jets in use.

24.08.68        In one of the largest incidents of its kind in Argyll the Brigade were called on Saturday, August 24, 1968, at 0846 to the Glenfinnart Hotel, Ardentinny.
                       Repeat calls had been received from Cove and Kilcreggan and crews arrived to face a serious fire which is well illustrated by the fireground message "A building of 2-3 and 4 floors about 120 feet by 230 feet, first floor, roof and tower well alight. Make pumps 3." Seven jets were used on this fire and crews were in attendance for over 13 hours.

31.03.70         The Highland Hotel, Glendaruel. Called at 0420 to assist Tighnabruaich volunteers. Hotel 100' x 60' was destroyed, three jets were used and once again crews were delayed for a considerable time (14 hours).

03.01.72         Cowal Ari Sawmill, Strachur 120' x 45' destroyed, five jets.

03.08.72         Called at 0252 to the Old Dunoon Laundry in Hamilton Street. The building of 120' x 100' was virtually destroyed in the outbreak. Five jets in use.

27.04.74         Appliances attended a call at 0636 to Ferguson's Paint Shop on the corner of John Street and   George Street to find the two-storey property well alight. Despite the use of four jets the building was totally gutted.

05.11.75         Although not in the station's area it is worthy of note that on that Guy Fawkes night, Dunoon was the second pump to arrive at the famous Inveraray Castle fire.

19.03.77         All during the 1970's Dunoon had attended numerous calls to McAlpine's Oil Rig site at Ardyne, near Toward, including a number of serious incidents which included the destruction of the massive canteen facility.

                         At 0335 hours on this particular Saturday morning crews were called to a fire on a concrete oil rig. On arrival firefighters were faced with a nine-hour incident 180 feet down the hollow leg of   the rig with severe heat and smoke conditions.

20.10.78         Propane tanker overturned and leaking, Strathlachlan near Strachur. Incident attracted five pumps and the Divisional Emergency Tender and lasted over 10 hours.

08.01.82         On one of the coldest nights remembered for some time, Dunoon attended Black's Bakery in George Street to find the roof area well alight.

                         It was fortunate that the station ran with an ex-Glasgow Fire Service "schoosher" appliance at the time as the elevated boom was able to get a jet on to the affected area and save the two-storey office section.

                         Three jets were used at the fire and due to freezing, the hose could not be rolled up, being taken off the fireground by lorry.

10.05.82         The old McPherson's tearoom was wilfully set on fire and caused a serious basement incident requiring the use of two jets and four BA to control a number of seats of fire.

                         The property is now used as a disco.

APPENDIX 2

List of Officers in Charge of Dunoon Fire Station

1889-1890        H. Ritchie.

1890-1895        A. Harper.

1895-1928        D. Jeffrey.

1928-1944        D. Jeffrey Jnr.

1944-1946        See note below*

1946-1950        Company Officer Dalgliesh.

1950-1953        Company Officer W. Jeffrey.

1953-1978        Station Officer David Jeffrey.

1978-1981        Station Officer Neil Fletcher.

1981-1986        Station Officer Murdo McPhee.

1986-                Station Officer William Miller.

Following the death of Firemaster David Jeffrey in September 1944, Dunoon had no Firemaster although at the time there was a full time complement of firemen in Dunoon due to the war, commanded by a Leading Fireman Dalgliesh.

The Town Council had received guidance from the then Fire Force Commander and from the Scottish Office that they would be prepared to release Dalgliesh to the council as officer in charge of Dunoon.

This caused great division in the council as this would mean the appointment of an "incomer having less experience" over the local William Jeffrey "whose family has had long association with the local Brigade".

Baillie Wyatt commented that Leading Fireman Jeffrey had been a member of the service for 18 years and he thought it unfair that a man drafted here under the National Fire Service should be promoted over him.

Despite a stormy meeting, on a vote of 7 - 6, Leading Fireman Dalgliesh was appointed Officer in charge of the Burgh Brigade.

APPENDIX 3

Wholetime Supervisory Officers Based in Dunoon.

WESTERN AREA FIRE BRIGADE

1947-1961        Assistant Divisional Officer McCreadie.

1961-1962        Assistant Divisional Officer J. Ferrie.

1962-1962        Assistant Divisional Officer W. Harper (Later to rise to Deputy Firemaster of Western Area and Strathclyde Fire Brigades and the last Chief Officer of Glasgow Salvage Corps.)

1962-1967        Assistant Divisional Officer Crilley.

1968-1972        Divisional Officer T. Bond (Became 3rd Officer Lanarkshire F.B. Assistant Firemaster of Strathclyde and retired as Firemaster of Grampian F.B.)

1972-1975        Divisional Officer J. Hales. (Left on regionalisation to take charge of Ayrshire. Retired as Deputy Firemaster of Strathclyde).

STRATHCLYDE FIRE BRIGADE.

1975-1977        Assistant Divisional Officer, J. Kirk.

DISTRICT OFFICERS: COWAL & BUTE.

1977-1978        Station Officer L. Chrichton.

1978 -               Station Officer D. J. Dalziel.

Note - A house was first obtained for the residential officer on a short term lease from the Town Council in 1961 at Dixon Avenue in Kirn until, in 1963, the brigade house "Dunard", at 88 Ardenslate Road, was completed. The house remained Brigade property until 1986 when it was sold.

This is a copy of the text, there are also photos of incidents, presentations and crew line ups in the book .

The book was written by David Dalziel and printed by E. & R. Inglis of Dunoon.

The above was put on this WEB site with the permission of David Daziel who is now  Chief Fire Officer of Grampian Fire and Rescue Service.

28/7/2009.

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