Research | Firefighters Remembered

When using the information in this book for research, the following information should be noted:

Dates of events or deaths are recorded as best identified. The period of World War 2 can sometimes be a challenge as some recordings can be the result of the recordings of the chaotic time and due to extended periods of duty spread over one day into the next and the passing of midnight.

Ranks used throughout are accurate for the era in question. This Trust makes no judgement on the titles used. which are recorded as being historically correct. The use of ‘Foreman’ is not a spelling mistake, as this title was sometimes used to designate the person in charge of a fire brigade of the time. Likewise, some brigades chose to use military titles such as ‘Corporal’ and ‘Lieutenant’.

The title ‘Captain’ was very commonly used pre-1941 to define the Chief Officer. ‘Inspector’ and ‘Superintendent’ were titles also used to define the Chief Officer and although often used in Police Fire Brigades, were also used in other brigades. 'Second Officer' and 'Third Officer' were used in a manner in which today would be Deputy and Assistant Chief Fire Officer. 'Engineer' was a rank often used to define the person who had the technical skills to run the pumps or engines and generally deal with technical of mechanical junctions on the station, generally being regarded as an officer. Prior to the era of the National Fire Service, there were no standard rank titles, with each individual brigade adopting a title as they saw fit for purpose.

In more recent years, fire and rescue service, saw fit to adopt ‘roles’ rather than ‘ranks’ and the standardisation which had worked so well for decades became unravelled, with the common introduction of ’Manager’, which then some chose to change to ‘Commander’ or as in the case of at least one brigade to revert back to the adoption of titles that had worked so well since 1948. The book records the title that the person held at the time of death, including the historically correct use of 'Fireman' and Firewoman' rather than the later term, 'Firefighter' and 'Officer' rather than 'Manager'.

Police Fire Brigades often fully adopted Police ranks of the era. Some only adopted a Police rank for the person designated to head the day-to-day operations of a brigade under the overall responsibility of a Chief Constable. All remaining local authority Police Fire Brigades ceased to exist on the formation of the National Fire Service. This Trust chooses to include the River Tyne Police and the River Wear Watch, both designated as Police Forces and having Policemen with firefighting responsibilities.

Over time, many Private, Industrial and Works Brigades have existed and names of those members of such individual brigades are recorded where known.

There were two eras of their being an Auxiliary Fire Service. The first was created as a result of the Air Raid Precautions Act 1937 with recruitment of men and women commencing in 1938. This era ceased on 18 August 1941 when the National Fire Service was created.

The second era was created in November 1949, with men and women being recruited as part of the Civil Defence organisation during the ‘Cold war’ era, being stood down on 1 April 1968. During both eras, women were not permitted to fight fires and acted only in support roles, some of which, such as those in control rooms or despatch riders and drivers during WW2, exposed them dangers equal to those faced by the men performing firefighting duties.

The National Fire Service was created on 18 August 1941 and continued in existence until 1 April 1948.

Names are recorded under the Brigade name used at the time of death and then under the current designated ‘Authority’ covering the geographical location of the death occurring. The exception being the Trust’s use of ‘Defence’ as being the named ‘Authority’ for members of the military fire services as a grouping.

For the Military service listings, the use of the spelling ‘Serjeant’, rather ‘Sergeant’ is correct in respects of certain eras of military rank titles.

We very much welcome additions or corrections to our listings.

Research sources for the general history of todays fire and rescue services are varied and wide-ranging. Information held under the Research tab on the Firefighters Memorial Trust website may assist researchers to understand the complexities of research related to those who have died in the course of their duties.