The new station in Academy Street was dedicated on 14/9/1989

The Fire Service in Larkhall was first manned by volunteers, but the police took over their duties in 1901 and used the building next to the Police Station to house the Fire Engine. This setup continued until the Second World War when a retained unit was created in Larkhall and part-time firemen answered the call to tackle blazes.

Sub Officer Joseph Stead received the B.E.M. in 1980

When the new call signs were being implemented in the WEST SDA over a 7 week period beginning 31/8/2020 doing 1 LSO Area per week, Larkhall was changed from P11 to C21.

County Fire Brigade:- The County Fire Brigade, stationed at Larkhall, had its first official call last Friday evening to Lesmahagow. Within three minutes from the time the brigade received intimation of the fire, they were on the road, and by their promptness were the means of saving a large part of the valuable plant where the fire originated. Firemaster Captain Despard was also early on the scene, and rendered valuable assistance. The supply of water was got from the lade 400 yards distant.
(Hamilton Advertiser? 25/2/1911)

LARKHALL’S FINEST 

<PHOTO> Front centre Firemaster to his right Mr. Wilson to his left Mr. Harley with the invited ex-members. (11 people in the photo)
<PHOTO> Present crew of Larkhall with their Officer in Charge W. Stewart. 

A few days of total commitment (plus normal duties) was given by the crew of Larkhall Fire Station when it decided to have a Dedication Service and a Station Open Day within the same week. The Service of Dedication was held at the new station in Academy Street, Larkhall on Thursday 14th September 1989, and was attended by a total of 70 guests.
The guests at the top table were: Mr. W Harley, Chairman of the Police and Fire Committee, Mr. Robert Wilson, Regional Councillor for Larkhall and Stonehouse, Firemaster Halliday, Deputy Firemaster Jameson, Rev. A. Wark of St. Machans Church and D.O. Welsh of “E” Division Headquarters.
The remainder of the guests seated in the appliance room were the present crew and relatives and some past crew members who were specially invited back for the ceremony.
Before taking their seats, the top table party was introduced to the crew by their Officer-in-Charge Sub Officer Walter Stewart. The first part of the evening included the station being dedicated to the Glory of God and asking for his protection to all who will work from it, and was performed by Rev. A. Wark who, being a local minister, knew a number of the retained crew from his congregation.
In their speeches, both the chairman and the Firemaster praised the dedication and commitment the firefighters had shown to the community of Larkhall.
The fact that certain guests were former members from as far back as the 1940’s brought comments from the speakers on how conditions have changed in comparison to the era in which they worked.
The Fire Service in Larkhall was first manned by volunteers, but the police took over their duties in 1901 and used the building next to the police station to house the fire engine.
This set up continued until the Second World War when a retained unit was created in Larkhall and part-time firemen answered the call to tackle blazes.
There have been several stalwarts in the Larkhall Fire Service over the years.
Brothers Joseph and Sam Stead were great servants of the brigade and were delighted to be invited to the official opening of the new station in Larkhall.
Joseph was Sub Officer at Larkhall with 29 years service, while Sam who put in a 26 year stint, was the Leading Fireman.
Today, the Larkhall crew is just as dedicated and experienced. Sub Officer Walter Stewart and Leading Fireman Bert Kirk have more than 50 years’ service between them.
(Aye Ready, Winter 1989, Issue 8, Page 23)

Strathclyde Fire Brigade 

Larkhall Fire Station
Dedication Service

<DRAWING> Of new station. 

Thursday 14^th September 1989
1900 hours

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

GUESTS ASSEMBLE 

INTRODUCTION
Firemaster C. B. Halliday, Q.F.S.M., M.I.FireE 

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS
Councillor Wm. Harley J.P.
Chairman, Police and Fire Committee 

DEDICATION
Rev. A. Warke 

FIREMASTER
Closing Remarks 

REFRESHMENTS 

Since its inception in 1975, the Strathclyde Region’s Police and Fire Committee has been committed to a replacement programme of rebuilding both wholetime and retained fire stations throughout the entire region. Certain stations which were inherited from the previous constituent brigades were due to be replaced and to date a total of 24 stations have been rebuilt to a very high standard of design and specification thus allowing us to accommodate our firefighters in a modern working environment which caters for their needs.
This new station at Larkhall was designed by one of the Region’s own architects; Mr. Graham Campbell, who works for the Central Design Section at Hamilton.
The construction of the building was carried out by Strathclyde Region’s Direct Works and the whole project was finished at a cost of £380,000, therefore it is hoped that the new station will continue the important role of the fire service within the community.
On reflection, both past and present personnel who worked from the old station over the last 88 years have seen and been involved in many major and minor changes that have happened within the structure of the British Fire Service. Dramatic changes such as the formation of the Auxiliary and National Fire Services; then in 1947 reverting back to newly formed Council and large Burgh Brigades and finally to the present regionalisation and indeed some of our present company here tonight can hold claim to being members of the unit during the second world war.
As we know, the very nature of becoming a retained firefighter means taking on a commitment to duty that cannot be taken lightly. Therefore the type of people found working in retained stations tend to have a special vocation and deep sense of duty to their community. Through tradition and family spirit, devotion to duty is somehow passed on from generation to generation and in the case of Larkhall, this is no exception, for reading through its history, names of certain families occur on a regular basis. Names such as Stewart, Stead, Purdie, Lambie, Ballantyne, Kirk. Campbell, Fullerton, Anderson and Ferguson have committed many years to the retained service.

Fire Station
Larkhall, 11th June, 1941

WAR WEAPONS WEEK - 14th. — 21st. June. 

Inaugural processions will be held on 14th. curt., in connection with this week.
A procession will take place in Larkhall and they desire that contingent from the A.R.P. Service including A.F.S. and Special Constables, along with members of the Army, Home Guard, Red Cross, etc., will take part in this procession.
I should be glad if you would assist by turning out in this procession along with all other Auxiliary Firemen in Larkhall District who see their way to attend. It will be understood that Auxiliary Fireman’s regular employment comes first and on no account can travelling or other expenses be incurred by any men in attending the procession.
All the services will assemble in the Public Park, Duke Street, Larkhall, at 2-30 p.m. on Saturday, 14^th curt. The procession will leave the park at 3 p.m. and proceed by way of Duke Street, Old Cross, Hamilton Street, Glenview where, at the Memorial there, Sir Henry Keith will take the salute, thence by London Street, New Cross, Raploch Street, Raploch Cross, McNeil Street, Charing Cross, and Muir Street to the starting point.
All Auxiliary Firemen should assemble at the A.F.S. Hut in King Street, Larkhall, at 2-15 p.m. prompt where they will muster and march to the Assembly point at Duke Street Public Park.
Leading Fireman Andrew Ramage will be in charge. He will be assisted by Leading Fireman James Chapman.

Robert Graham,
Officer in Charge

Leading Fireman J. Chapman,
Larkhall A.F.S. 

Document from Larkhall Fire Station 1941 

<DRAWING> LARKHALL STATION 1901 - 1989

Open day at Larkhall Fire Station 

Larkhall people will be able to look around their new £380,000 fire station next weekend.
The new station, at the junction of Academy Street and Claude Street, has been operational for several weeks and now an open day has been organised for the public from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, September 16.
Fire crews will show visitors around the station, explaining the procedure from the first teleprinted message informing officers of a fire until appliances leave for an incident.
Fire engines, a Road Rescue Unit and a Turntable Ladder will be on display at the open day which will also feature book stalls and a tombola.
A dedication service will be held in the new station on Thursday, September 14, conducted by Rev. Alex Wark from St Machan’s Parish Church.
The private service will be attended by current crews at Larkhall, former firemen and their families.
(Hamilton Advertiser, Friday, September 8, 1989 Page 26)

Oh boy I’m driving the fire engine 

<PHOTO> Fireman David Lees and four children at the wheel of the fire engine.
It’s a dream of many youngsters to drive a fire engine.
And it came true for this wee lad on Saturday, albeit under the watchful eye of a fireman David Lees.
Larkhall’s £380,000 fire station was last week officially opened and to mark the occasion the public were invited to inspect the spanking new premises.
Around 1000 people attended the open day and many youngsters went home with the burning ambition to be a fire engine driver when they grow up. (See page 25)
(Hamilton Advertiser, Friday, September 22, 1989 Page 1)

NEW FIRE STATION OFFICIALLY OPENS 

<PHOTO> Hats off to Larkhall’s new fire station from some of the youngsters who attended the open day.
Larkhall fire service enjoyed a red lettered day last week when their new £380,000 station was officially opened.
And at a special open day for the public on Saturday, around 1,000 people turned up to inspect the town’s new fire station.
The station in Academy Street (behind Glengowan Primary School) is a long awaited replacement for the fire service’s previous home in Caledonia Road.
It boasts a muster bay, drying rooms, kitchen, locker rooms and showers and training facilities.
The fire service in Larkhall was first man by volunteers, but the police took over their duties in 1901 and used the building next to the police station to house the fire engine.

STALWARTS

This set up continued until the Second World War when a retained unit was created in Larkhall and part time fireman answered the call to tackle blazes.
There have been several stalwarts in the Larkhall fire service over the years.
Brothers Joseph and Sam Stead were great servants of the brigade and were delighted to be invited to the official opening of the new station in Larkhall.
Joseph was Sub Officer at Larkhall with 29 years’ service, while Sam, who put in a 26 year stint, was the Leading Fireman.
Today, the Larkhall crew is just as dedicated and experienced. Sub Officer Walter Stewart and Leading Fireman Bert Kirk have more than 50 years’ service between them.
Sub Officer Stewart told the Advertiser: “The open day was a great success. We sold more than 400 novelty helmets and all proceeds will go to the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund. We also want to thank all the local businesses and shops who supported a tombola stand.”
Turning to the station he commented: “It is a magnificent boost for the service. We now have the proper facilities and it will really help when it comes to training.
Apart from the open day, a dedication service was held last Thursday to officially open the new fire station.
The service was conducted by the Rev. Alex Wark of St. Machan’s Parish Church.
Among the guests were the chairman of Strathclyde Regional Council’s police and fire committee, William Harley, Regional Councillor Robert Wilson, and Firemaster Clive Halliday.

DEDICATION

In their speeches, both the chairman and the Firemaster praised the dedication and commitment the firefighters had shown to the community of Larkhall.
The fact that certain guests were former members from as far back as the 1940s brought comments from the speakers on how conditions have changed in comparison to the era in which they worked.
(Hamilton Advertiser, Friday, September 22, 1989 Page 25)

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.