Hove in the Past: Hove Fire Brigade

Judy Middleton 2002 (revised 2019)

copyright © G. Hughes
This photograph was taken in around 1908 and shows Cadet Edward Brown on the left, and his father Frederick Brown on the right. Mr Brown ran a builder’s business at the top of Westbourne Street – the premises beung fitted with a fire-alarm bell. When the bell rang, he would down tools, pull on his uniform and take the hand-cart to the scene of the fire

Early Days

The first firemen at Hove were stationed in Brunswick Town and were under the management of the surveyor. The service dated back to 1831 and the firemen were based in Brunswick Street West. They operated with one fire engine and two water carts; but access to water was always a problem because the water main was at a distance from the Brunswick area, and then the turncock had to be located and asked to turn the water on for them.

On 20 June 1863 Hove Police Commissioners resolved to form their own fire brigade, which would consist of one foreman and seven men at an annual cost of £30. The Police Commissioners purchased the fire escape belonging to the Brunswick Square Commissioners for £12, plus the hose and reel belonging to the West Hove Improvement Commissioners for £20. In addition they wanted to purchase another fire escape from Messrs Merryweather (the same model that was awarded a prize medal in the Great Exhibition of 1851) and a 60-ft hose reel. The first firemen appointed were as follows:

William Jeal of Brunswick Street West

George Gladman of George Street

William Willmer of Providence Place (the site being east of where Hove Library was later built)

On 6 June 1864 there was a fire at the Norfolk Hotel, Brighton, that was attended by Hove firemen and constables – the bill for their services came to £6-10s.

In 1874 Hove firemen were as follows:

James Bridger, foreman, - he earned £4-12s a year

Ebenezer Dean

George Carpenter

George Gladman

John Grave

James Terry

William Willmer – these firemen earned £3-12s a year.

Their headquarters were at 8 Victoria Terrace.

Fire Station at George Street

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
An early 1900s photograph with Hove Fire Station in the background in George Street.

In 1879 Superintendent Pedlar was in command of Hove Volunteer Fire Brigade and Hove Fire Station was located at 85 George Street.

The brigade consisted of the following:

2 foremen

1 superintendent of the fire escape

1 conductor of the fire escape

2 sub-engineers

26 firemen

4 messengers

It is not clear under what terms or pay these men were employed.

copyright © J.Middleton
The men of Hove Fire Brigade were nimble on their feet and often won
prizes for their speed of deployment in National Fire Brigade
competitions. In this photograph two cups are on display together
with the Challenge Shield embellished with a fireman's helmet on
crossed firemen's axes.

In 1889 the Chief Officer requested that Hove Council should install a hydrant near the fire station in order that the fire engine might be washed more easily. The council obliged with a new service pipe leading from the water main in George Street to the rear of the fire station at a cost of around £26.

In May 1898 Stationmaster Coombes, newly installed in the post, was presented with a fine marble clock on the occasion of his marriage.

By 1914 the premises in George Street contained the engine house on the ground floor – where the motor pump and steamer were kept – and behind there was a two-stall stable. On the first floor there were four rooms occupied by the Stationmaster. The place was always too cramped for comfort. In 1908 a small extension designed by Lainson & Son was added to provide a watch room, and a recreation room for the volunteer firemen.

In 1923 it was stated that the premises cost £50 a year in rent. There were now five permanent members of the fire brigade but there was no space for quarters for them. It had always been a problem harnessing the horses to the fire engine in such a narrow street, but the situation worsened when more modern vehicles were used. It was stated that the ‘situation in George Street renders the exit with the modern heavy motor fire engine, of which the Council now has two, extremely awkward and dangerous.’

Some Incidents

In May 1879 a fire broke out in the basement of the Sackville Hotel, and the following report appeared in the Hove Echo:

‘Stationmaster Wilcox of the Hove Fire Brigade, received the call at 9.55 p.m. and immediately set out for the conflagration in company with Captain Hackett, Engineer Coombes, Escape-Superintendent Dumbrill (sic), Sub-Engineer Coombes, Conductor Smith and twelve firemen. Owing to the promptitude with which water was brought to bear on the flames, the fire was got under control within the course of a few minutes.’

The reporter miss-spelt Dumbrell; in fact Owen Dumbrell was to have a long connection with the service, becoming Chief Officer in 1902 and continuing in the post until 1942 when his son Harry Dumbrell became the next Chief Officer. There was also a problem with the spelling of Coombes – it could be spelt without the final ‘e’ or finish with ‘er’ instead.

There is an interesting entry in the Hove Police Minutes for 4 January 1882 when it was stated that the paid Fire Brigade had been disbanded. It seems that they had been operating at the same time as the Hove Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Hove Commissioners must have concluded that they did not need to keep their paid firemen. All the same, it was thought advisable that policemen should be instructed in hose-reel drill and fire-escape drill as an extra stand-by. One fire hose was stored at George Street, and there was another at the Commissioners’ Stores in Brunswick Street West. It was recommended that a spare hose should be purchased because it would allow a wet hose to be cleaned and dried: at that time a hose was made of a heavy canvas material, which took a long time to dry out.

On 21 June 1888 a contract was drawn up between the Hove Commissioners and the Hove Volunteer Fire Brigade under which the Commissioners agreed to pay the brigade £120 a year for their services: the brigade was composed of the following men:

Chief Officer H. Rolt

2^nd Officer B. C. H. Rolt

Superintendent C. Ellis

Stationmaster W. Stevens

Engineer F. Coombes

Sub-engineer G. Borrer

Fireman J. Maxwell

Fireman O. Dumbrell

Fireman B. Pearson

Fireman G. Olliver

Fireman W. Mills

Fireman H. Stevens

Fireman H. Young

Fireman H. Stevens, junior

Fireman W. Willard

Fireman H. Smith

A Parade

When Hove Recreation Ground was officially opened on 2 May 1891 Hove Fire Brigade formed part of the long parade that wended its way from Hove Town Hall to Old Shoreham Road. Those taking part included:

Captain Ellis, superintendent

W. Mills, engineer

H. Young, conductor

Firemen B. Pearson, J. Godley, S. Smith, J. Mitchell, S. Mills, H. Stevens, W. Kent, H. Wilcox, and G. Clayton

Kingston Fire Escape-Superintendent

Channel Laundry Fire

In 1894 there was a fire at the Channel Laundry in Arthur Street. It was attended by Stationmaster Wilcox, Lieutenant Hackett, and Engineer Coombes. Also present were firemen Gumbrill, Dumbrell, Coombes and Coombes. (Does the alliteration in the last sentence remind anyone of the firemen from the children’s favourite TV show Camberwick Green? – namely, Pugh, Pugh, Barney Mcgrew, Cuthbert, Diddle and Grubb?).

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee

On 21 June 1897 Captain Hackett and fourteen Hove firemen attended a special service at All Saints Church in The Drive to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.

Level Crossing Hiatus

In September 1897 Hove Fire Brigade was called out to attend a fire. Unfortunately, they were delayed upon arrival at the level crossing in Portslade by a goods train slowly trundling past. By the time the horses were hurried across, the firemen arrived at the scene too late to save seven greyhounds from the flames – two of which were valued at over £350.

The Brigade in 1898

Members of the Hove Fire Brigade in 1898

Hove Commissioners were still paying Hove Fire Brigade £120 a year for their services, the same sum that had been paid ten years previously when there were just fifteen men. However, in 1898 there were 24 men. In addition, Hove and Aldrington had amalgamated in that year and so the Fire Brigade had a larger area to cover. Consequently the Watch Committee recommended that the fee should be increased to £220 a year. An interesting fact was that many of the firemen earned their living in the building trade, and therefore they were accustomed to ladder work. Hove Commissioners had considered forming a Police Fire Brigade, but dismissed the idea on two considerations – the extra cost (naturally) and also the realisation that there were too few policemen to rely on in the event of a fire.

A still from Williamson’s historic film of

Hove Fire Brigade in action

The Hove Gazette (25 June 1898) announced that neat tablets made of bone and inscribed in red lettering ‘For Fire call Fire Brigade, Hove’ could be fitted free of charge to subscribers of telephones.

A Pioneering Film

In 1901 the famous film pioneer James Williamson made a short film entitled Fire! starring members of Hove Fire Brigade. The film started with a shot of the Fire Station in George Street with two lovely white horses about to be harnessed to the fire engine. The fire engine was later to be seen rattling down St Aubyns at a great pace with the gallant firemen on board, decked out in their splendid brass helmets. Their uniform jacket was double-breasted and fastened by twelve buttons. There was a high collar with a large ‘H’ inside a circle. The film also showed a jumping sheet being used. The ‘fire’ was staged at nearby Ivy Lodge, now demolished.

This film may be viewed at Hove Museum where the Hove Film Pioneers are rightly celebrated. Local people like to stress that Hove was up and running in the film industry long before Hollywood had even been heard of.

Drills and Competitions

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Hove Police & Fire Brigade sports day at Wish Park (Marine Park) 9 September 1908

Hove Fire Brigade used to hold their annual drill, competition and sports at Hove Recreation Ground, which drew an admiring crowd of people. In 1908 the event took place at Wish Park, Aldrington.

By 1904 Hove had won the Challenge Shield of the National Fire Brigade Union Hose Truck Competition for Sussex in two successive years: the trophy was on display at Hove Library for a few weeks afterwards.

Hove Fire Brigade continued with the tradition of being a winning side because they won the One-man Dry Drill no less than ten times between 1949 and 1966.

Fire Brigade in the News

Hove Fire Brigade was in the news because of a fire that broke out on 24 December 1907 at Hove Lawns Hotel in Waterloo Street. The proprietor Mr Mayhead, his wife, three children, plus the cook and the barman, managed to escape onto the balcony at the front of the building. From there they clambered down the large hanging lamp and onto the pavement with the assistance of PC Aldridge. It seems the fire brigade was late in attending the scene, which led to questions being asked at a Hove Council meeting on 9 January 1908. Councillor W. J. Fraser tabled the question, ‘What is the explanation, if any, and apparently unnecessary, delay which took place in the arrival of the Steam Fire Engine at the recent fire … after receiving notice of such fire, and whether any effective means can be devised for enabling the engine in question to be present at any future fire immediately after receiving notice thereof.’

The answer was simple – the horses. It was a delay in the arrival of horses to be harnessed to the fire engine that led to their late arrival. A report was soon forthcoming on 29 January 1908, which led to new measures being taken to secure access to horses more quickly. The report also gives a fascinating glimpse into the equipment available to Hove firemen in 1908.

Equipment itemised in the Report of 29 January 1909

Fire Station, George Street

1 Fire Engine, capable of discharging 300 gallons of water a minute

1 55-ft horse curricle (a two-wheeled vehicle needing two horses harnessed abreast)

1 Kingston fire escape

1 hose cart

2 fire extinguishers plus other equipment

Farm Road

1 hose reel cart

Scaling ladders

1 canvas jumping sheet

1 60-ft escape

Tools such as nozzles, spanners, hatchets, crowbar, lamp, leather bucket and rope

Hove Town Hall

1 60-ft escape

Hove Park

1 hose-reel cart

1 hydrant key and bar

Lengths of rope etc

Additional Hose-reel carts stored at:

Boundary Road plus other equipment

Electricity Generating Station, Davigdor Road

110 Westbourne Street

Dupont’s Riding Academy, Waterloo Street

Fire Alarm Posts:

Cambridge Road

Hove Park Villas

Montefiore Road

Palmeira Avenue

Ruskin Road

Sackville Gardens

St Leonard’s Road

Action Taken

Arrangements were made with Robert Wilson of 18 Westbourne Place to supply two horses at any time of the day or night at a cost of £52-10s a year. Mr Wilson would either deliver the horses personally, or send a man with them between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. - at any other time the brigade would have to supply their own driver. A private wire and bell were fixed to his premises – the same device that was also to be found in the homes of the firemen.

Subsequently, the Fire Station at George Street was enlarged so that two horses could be stabled on the premises; a new steamer and appliances were purchased for £547. However, these improvements put Hove Fire Brigade in financial difficulties with the money owed to the building firm Messrs Parsons being overdue. Not unreasonably, Hove Council was asked for the sum of £250 but refused. But they did agree to increase the annual grant.

Merryweather

In the summer of 1913 a deputation went to London to watch a practical demonstration of one of Messrs Merryweather’s motor fire engines. If one were to be procured, the fire brigade could dispense with keeping two horses on the premises, which would save at least £60 a year. The loose boxes could then be utilised as a store or a workshop. The existing fire engine would be retained in case of a breakdown of the new fire engine, or in the event of two fires occurring at the same time, and there would have to be a contract in place to supply two horses in such a scenario.

Hove Council agreed to raise the grant to the fire brigade by £100 so that the purchase of the Merryweather fire engine could go ahead. In December 1913 it was stated that Messrs Merryweather were willing to sell an engine on the following terms - £450 to be paid on delivery, then £100 each year for the following five years: interest on the balance was set at 4 per cent.

Initially, Hove Council agreed to pay £400 to the brigade to complete the purchase. But then the councillors must have had a fit of the vapours at the thought of all that money being outside the council’s control. At any rate, in January 1914 Hove Council rather meanly required the brigade to pay back the £400 because the council would purchase the motor fire engine for £950, which would remain the property of the corporation.

The gleaming new fire engine arrived at Hove on 17 February 1914 amid a great deal of public interest.

A Municipal Fire Brigade

The next logical step was that a fire brigade should no longer be a private matter but ought to be under the control of Hove Council. This idea had already been thrashed out back in 1903 when a sub-committee had advised that steps should be taken to establish a municipal fire brigade and in addition a site should be purchased on which to build a new fire station. The report also stated ‘One of the chief advantages of having a brigade formed of those in the employ of the Corporation is that during the day the Firemen are engaged at work within the Borough or in the immediate neighbourhood.’

A different sub-committee came to the same conclusion in July 1914. However, they could not recommend such a re-organisation until a new fire station was built.

It was proposed that the new fire brigade should consist of the Chief Officer, driver, mechanic, and one fireman on full-time pay with fourteen auxiliary firemen. The matter was referred back to the watch committee. Finally, it was decided that the brigade would be taken over on 1 November 1914

but the men would all retain their posts for three months to enable the council to decide what re-organisation was necessary.

The council had already decided on Owen Dumbrell’s future ‘who for thirteen years had held the post of Chief Officer of the Hove Fire Brigade with such conspicuous ability and zeal.’ He would become Chief Officer of the new brigade.

The outbreak of the First World War prevented drastic re-organisation, mainly because of the lack of accommodation. But in March 1915 it was proposed that three men should always be on duty, and that therefore it was necessary for another full-time man to be employed. The man would need to be a competent motor mechanic and the pay would be 50/- a week.

In April 1915 Tilling’s, the bus company, offered to provide a pair of horses, harness, and a man to drive them ready for every occasion when required for the fee of two guineas.

By this time the firemen were becoming increasingly unhappy at their treatment, and grumbled that the only time they heard anything in relation to the fire brigade was what they read in the Sussex Daily News. In April 1915 a special meeting was held at the fire station so that the men could air their grievances. Several men were under the impression they would receive a retainer fee when the council took over the fire brigade, while twelve men were out of pocket because there had been no collection at Christmas, and some men were in debt to the tune of £2-10s.

However, the watch committee still insisted on having only three permanent staff with volunteer firemen being used as before. One of the permanent staff was Harry Dumbrell, son of the Chief Officer; Owen Dumbrell also acted as a relief driver, and because he had gained some experience as a motor mechanic, he was paid 15/- a week. There was also the matter of ownership of pieces of equipment to sort out. For example, some of the appliances remained under the control of the Chief Constable.

In November 1915 the tenancy of 177 Westbourne Street was terminated. This was where the old manual engine, the Kingston escape, and a hose cart were stored – instead they were to be removed to the Sackville Road depot or the depot at Errol Road. The house had also provided accommodation for a fireman.

War Hero

In 1915 there came news that Sergeant G. Wood of the Royal Sussex Regiment, and formerly a member of Hove Fire Brigade, had been decorated for bravery. He was awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry by leading his bombing party across open ground under heavy machine-gun fire to capture an enemy trench.

Strangely enough, his name does not appear under ‘Distinctions’ in Hove’s Roll of Honour – perhaps the authorities did not deem him to be a native of Hove.

Out With the Old

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Hove's steam pumper fire engine on an excercise drill in Wish Park, Aldrington

In February 1920 it was decided to dispose of the old steam fire engine because there was considerable difficulty in arranging for horses to be present, and besides the motor fire engine could reach any part of the town within a short space of time.

By June 1920 the brigade had their eye on acquiring a motor fire tender from Messrs Dennis Brothers of Guildford. At that time, escapes had to be drawn by hand to the scene of a fire, whereas a motor fire tender would be able to carry it. The only drawback was the cost of £1,360. When the new vehicle did finally arrive at Hove it was given the quaint name of ‘First Aid’.

Staff Increase

In 1923 the number of permanent staff was increased to six men. Perhaps it was the result of there being 33 fires during 1922. In December 1923 the brigade received the welcome gift of a £5 Christmas box from Messrs Joymanco of Cambridge Grove ‘in recognition of their services, and particularly in regard to the smart manner in which they dealt with the outbreak on our premises about this time last season.’

Fire Station at Hove Street

In 1923 the prospect of building a new fire station began to be considered because of the awkward position of the one in George Street, its small size, plus the fact that the lease was due to expire in 1928. It seems the new site in Hove Street was an accidental bonus for the fire brigade because Hove Council originally only wished to purchase a small strip of land there in order to build a converter and transformer station with which to supply electricity to the residents of Aldrington. However, the land in question belonged to the Vallance Estate whose trustees insisted that the whole site must be purchased for around £1,210. This deal provided enough land to build the sub-station, fire station, living quarters and yard, while the land surplus to requirements was sold off in plots.

Hove councillors had recently been on a visit to Bromley’s new fire station and had been much impressed, and so they had some idea of what was necessary.

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
The entrance to the Hove Street Fire Station's excercise yard in the 1930s

The well known local architects, Clayton & Black, were commissioned to design the new fire station, which was built by James Barnes & Sons of 99/100 North Street, Brighton, for £10,497. But the final cost, including the boundary wall, paving and roadway, brought the bill up to £11,098-3-9d. The work included a 55-ft tower.

The building was (and is) an elegant structure with two large arched openings for the fire engines, and a charming bell-cote on the roof that recalled the bell-cote on the roof of Hove Manor. The Mayor of Hove, Councillor H. E. Close, officially opened the new fire station on 2 June 1926. The names of the architects, builders, some councillors and the town clerk were recorded on a large brass plate embellished with the Hove coat-of-arms. This brass was kept so highly polished that by the 1970s the coat-of-arms was becoming somewhat blurred.

copyright © J.Middleton
These two photographs were taken in September 2019 – note the Hove coat-of-arms above the doorway

This building was in good use for 50 years and did not close until 1976. Fortunately, the building was not demolished but instead converted into seven flats plus a three-bedroom mews house. Architectural consultant Denis Hawes drew up the plans, and the development was finished by 1981. The flats were priced at £21,500 and the mews house at £69,500.

Today the building goes under the curious name of Regency House.

The 1920s

At the same time the firemen’s wages were reviewed. It was decided that in lieu of the provision of fuel, an allowance of 1/- a week would be made to each of the married men – namely Coombes, Dumbrell and Lovell.

It appears that Chief Officer Dumbrell only received pay for attending fires and drill, which in 1925 amounted to £25. It was therefore proposed to pay him a retaining fee of £70 a year.

Under the Fire Brigade Act of 1925 professional firemen were entitled to retire and receive a pension after 25 years of service at the age of 55. A deduction of 5 per cent was made from the men’s wages, while Hove Council placed an equal amount in a special fund.

The Gamewall fire alarm system was in operation at Hove with bollard-style posts being installed at various locations. Unfortunately, the posts proved to be an irresistible attraction to certain sections of the community with the result that there was a high number of false alarms, particularly in 1925. The watch committee debated over whether or not to install glass panels in the fire alarm boxes. But Dumbrell came up with another solution. This was to despatch only one vehicle – namely the ‘First Aid’ - to a reported fire plus the permanent firemen between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and if it was a genuine fire, then the volunteer section on the motor pump could follow. But after 6 p.m. volunteers would be called out with both vehicles.

In December 1927 Chief Officer Dumbrell told Hove Council that six professional firemen were no longer enough and he requested that two more men should be added to their ranks. He stated that one man was on leave every day, and another was on watch-room duty, which left just four men to attend a fire with two vehicles. The watch committee decided that one extra man was quite enough, and he would be given quarters in the fire station and receive wages of £2-10s a week.

In February 1928 it was decided to purchase some specialist equipment from Messrs Siebe Gorman & Co for £52-7-6d. This equipment consisted of two gas-masks fitted with automatic reducing valves, spare oxygen cylinders, and oxygen resuscitating apparatus.

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Captain A. W. Hillman of Portslade Fire Brigade (centre) with Hove's Fire Chief Officer Dumbrell (right) at Hove Fire Station in 1937

A Test

In 1936 there were some criticisms concerning the efficiency of Hove Fire Brigade. Councillor Captain Wales decided that a practical demonstration was the answer to such comments. Consequently, the Chief Constable William Hillier went to a public telephone box at the top of Shirley Drive. In less than four seconds he was through to the Fire Brigade, and in precisely four minutes and seventeen seconds there was a fire engine on the spot. At this point of Hillier’s narrative, there was a round of applause in the council chamber.

Hove Fire Brigade anti gas fire drill. 11th September 1937

Second World War

In 1941 all fire brigades in the entire country were nationalised; Hove became part of Fire Force 31 ‘A’ Division. The peace-time number of firemen was increased by auxiliaries, and an auxiliary fire station was set up on the sea-front opposite St Catherine’s Lodge.

Post War

On 1 April 1948 Sussex County Fire Authority took over control. At the time Hove Fire Station had the following vehicles:

One pump escape (dating from 1920)

One pump escape (dating from 1937)

One self-propelled pump (dating from 1929)

One 60-ft turntable ladder (dating from 1944)

One Austin towing vehicle (dating from 1942)

Fire Station at English Close

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museums, Brighton & Hove
Hove's new Fire Station in English Close under construction in the 1970s

After 50 years in Hove Street the fire station was closed in 1976. A new one was built in English Close, and cost £421,620 – it became operational on 6 October 1976.

In 1979 some 50 men were based there with three appliances:

One pump escape

One water tender

One foam tender

By October 2001 there were 61 fire-fighters based at English Close (59 men and 2 women) with the following equipment:

One extended rescue pump

One water tender ladder

One aerial ladder platform

It was designated as Station 2

In 2019 the establishment was known as the Hove Community Fire Station with the personnel employed being described as ‘wholetime’ rather than the more familiar ‘full-time’. The station is open 24 hours, seven days a week, The equipment is as follows:

One extended rescue pump

One high-volume pump

George Hammond

George Hammond joined Hove Fire Brigade in 1965, and rose through the ranks until he became the Operations Commander of East Sussex Fire Brigade. His original ambition was to join the police but in those days there was a height stipulation and he was just half-an-inch too short to be accepted. Hammond was present at major incidents such as the devastating fire at Hove Town Hall in January1966, and the occasion when the IRA detonated a bomb at the Grand Hotel on 12 October 1984. In November 2001 Hammond received the Queen’s Fire Service after 37 years of service.

Officers in Charge of Hove Fire Brigade

1879 – Superintendent Thomas Pedlar

1879 – Stationmaster Wilcox

1898-1902 – Chief Officer Coombes

1902-1942 – Chief Officer Owen Dumbrell

1942-1951 – Station Officer Harry Dumbrell

1951-1959 – Station Officer Charles Graham

1960-1966 – Station Officer Eric Lulham

1966-1969 – Assistant Divisional Officer William Holliday

1969-1971 – Station Officer Michael Turner

1971-1973 – Station Officer Walter Rigby

1973-1974 – Station Officer Robert Duplock

1974-1975 – Station Officer Malcolm Graham

1975-1977 – Station Officer Roger Smith

1977-1979 – Station Officer Frederick Sydney Simmons

1979-1988 – Station Officer Gerald Binstead

1988-1989 – Station Officer Lewis Laws

1989-1993 – Station Officer Colin Findlay

1993-1994 – Station Officer Michael Rogers

1995-2001 – Station Officer Alan Nicolls

2001 – Station Officer Graham Gray

Hove Fire Engines and Appliances

1879 – A fire escape was purchased from Shand, Mason & Co for £66-10s.

1889 – A patent telescopic fire escape plus fittings was purchased from Rose, Bray & Co for £88-7-6d. A month later, and from the same firm, a London Brigade hand-pump costing £1-15s arrived at Hove.

In November 1889 the Chief Constable was authorised to spend a sum of money not exceeding £20 in acquiring a canvas hose and other articles.

It is interesting to note that the two-wheeled escape was mounted on two large wheels and was manhandled to the scene of the fire. When not in use there was nowhere to store it, and so it rested against the east side of Hove Town Hall. It remained there until 1915 when councillors decided it was too old to repair and ought to be sold off.

1890 – A Kingston fire escape and hose cart to be purchased at a cost not exceeding £35.

1896 – Two hose-reels, 800-ft of canvas hose, plus some tools were purchased for £60-16s from J. Gibb & Co of 99 Fenchurch Street, London.

1897 – 1,000-ft of canvas hose to be purchased at a cost not exceeding £35.

1898 – The fire escape, which was kept at the fire station, was improved and put in order by Rose & Co at a cost not exceeding £12.

1899 – The following items were purchased from Shand, Mason & Co:

1,000-ft of canvas hose, not exceeding £35

One horse curricle 55-ft fire escape for £81-10s plus a brake for £5

Two Rex chemical extinguishers at three guineas each

30 hose wrenches and sockets for 3/6d each

3 breeching pieces for 40/- each

3 branch pipes for 45/- each

1900 – A set of harness was purchased for use with the new fire escape was purchased at an estimated cost of £8-2-6d.

McGregor & Co of Dundee supplied 1,000-ft of canvas hose of the same pattern as that supplied to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

Hove Council erected a corrugated iron structure, 20-ft wide by 40-ft in length, at the Sackville Road Depot, in which to store the fire escape.

copyright © Royal Pavilion & Museum, Brighton & Hove
Brighton & Hove Libraries describe this photograph as 'Hove Fire Brigade assembled in Hove Park for the Coronation Day celebrations on 22 June 1911'

1913 – In this year Hove Council purchased a Merryweather Fire Brigade Petrol Motor Combination for £950, but the vehicle did not arrive at Hove until February 1914.

1916 – Hove Council advertised the old ‘Fire Manual’ for sale and it was purchased for £20 by Ditchling Volunteer Fire Brigade.

1920 – The brigade wanted to have the use of a ‘First Aid and Motor Fire Appliance’. The lowest quote they received was from Dennis Brothers of Guildford. This fire tender would accommodate 1,500-ft of hose, and would seat four firemen on either side, with the driver and officer in the front. It was fitted with a 40-gallon tank, a hydraulic hose-reel, 120-ft hose with couplings and branch pipe hydrant. The engine was the vertical type with four cylinders developing 45 BHP.

At the time the ‘Brigade has to rely solely upon a Motor Pump and in the case of a breakdown of this machine or in the event of two fires occurring at the same time, there is only a hand-cart to fall back on.’

The old horse-drawn steam fire engine was advertised for sale but the only offer came from Shand & Co, and it was agreed that they should purchase it for £125. The following items were also put up for sale:

One Shand Mason 55-ft fire escape (drawn by one horse)

One pair of Stuart & Moore’s horse collars

One set of brown harness

One pair of collars

Three hose-reels

Shand Mason purchased the fire escape for £20, and the three hose-reels for £10.

1921 – The watch committee approved the purchase of a 300-ft canvas hose for £154-14s from McGregor & Co of Dundee.

1927 – The Chief Officer considered that one fire pump was not enough, and so it was decided to fix a turbine pump to the Dennis ‘First Aid Machine’. Dennis Brothers then agreed to fix one 300-350 gallon turbine pump with a 24-ft suction pipe, copper suction strainer, three-way collecting head, and a direct suction adaptor plus other refinements for £315.

1927 – A new pump escape was purchased.

1942 – An Austin towing vehicle was added.

1944 – A Home Office pattern 60-ft turntable ladder was purchased.

1977 – A hydraulic platform was brought to Hove especially to deal with fires breaking out in high-rise flats.

1995 – Hove Council purchased at auction a vintage fire engine – with the assistance of the Science Museum – for £10,000. This vehicle served Hove from 1923 to 1952, and during the Second World War it served with the National Fire Service. In more recent times it was owned by Flambards Village Theme Park in Cornwall. It was stated that the fire engine had been acquired for Hove Museum, but would remain for safe keeping at the fire station.

2001 The following vehicles and appliances were located at the Fire Station in English Close:

One extended pump rescue R741FYS

One water tender ladder J976FWV, which attends all one-pump call-outs

One aerial ladder with a reach of 32 Metres R778FWV. It entered service in November 1977 and is a Volvo FL10 / Bronto HDT 32 / Angloco Aerial Ladder Platform. It replaced the ageing ERF / Simmon SS263 hydraulic platform.

One multi-purpose appliance with equipment capable of cutting, lifting, crushing and spreading. It can carry 1,800 litres of water, and the pump can deliver 2,250 litres per minute.

copyright © J.Middleton
Georgie’s Cafe/Coffee Shop now occupy the Fire Station building. At the top of the building the former Hove Borough Council's coat of arms can still be seen.

30 November 2019

Hove Fire Brigade