Genealogy Chat

Trouble is Im never quite sure people recorded as Firemen in my ancestors arent just stokers! I have marine firemen - stokers and I have a 'Fireman/railway' - I assumed he was also a stoker on a train? Is the occupation just recorded as Fireman or is there a more specific term used?

Just reinforcing previous replies. The London Fire brigade museum provided comprehensive details of my fireman ancestor. Wendy

Sorry Michael - didn't mean to steal your thunder!

Here's what to do. Apply to the following: Lucy Price Assistant Curator London Fire Brigade Museum Winchester House 94 Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 0EG Tel 0207 587 2894 There will be a charge of £4 for research, copying and postal fees but you will get the most comprehensive details of every payrise, every stationing, every qualification.... I was astounded at what I got on my fireman ancestor. Lucy is an absolute star - and she actually sent me the details before my cheque had arrived.

London County Council was formed in 1889. The London Fire Brigade's title was adopted in 1904 after with an Act of Parliament, though it had been popularly known as this for many years. At the beginning of the century, successive Chief Officers introduced many innovations, one of the most notable being the motor car in 1902. At first, it was deemed unsatisfactory and horses were kept in use but gradually, as the motor appliances improved their performance, they were widely introduced and the last horse drawn machine was withdrawn in 1921. Woolwich was a Metropolitan Borough of London. I was under the impression the London Fire brigade was slightly later than that. Clive

google Metropolitan fire brigade records and London records office will come up

Also try the national archives.

As a fireman he would have been a council employee at that date I think. Try th elocal council personnel department. Clive

One of my great aunts married a Fireman in 1907. I know where he was serving at that time but does anyone know where I could find his career records? He was serving at the station in Woolwich, London.