A Pictorial History of Bampton’s Fire Brigade
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Assembled and annotated by Tom Papworth
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A Bampton Archive Publication
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A Pictorial History of Bampton’s Fire Brigade
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C o mm ty
Ba mp
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Assembled and annotated by Tom Papworth
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A Bampton Archive Publication
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C o mm uni
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c hive
A Bampton Archive Publication
Please visit www.bamptonarchive.org to view the extensive list of archive video and audio recordings, publications and exhibition catalogues. The website also features a large searchable archive of documents, photographs and artefacts relating to Bampton going back thousands of years. May 2017
The author acknowledges the respective copyright owners for the images and photographs used.
BCA-43/A May 2017
A Pictorial History of Bampton’s Fire Brigade Based on a Bampton Community Archive exhibition held in the Vesey Room of the Bampton Library in 2006 and again in May 2017
The Fireman’s Prayer When I am called to duty, God, Wherever flames may rage, Give me the strength to save some life Whatever be its age. Let me embrace a little child Before it is too late Or save an older person From the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert And hear the weakest shout And quickly and efficiently put the fire out. I want to fill my calling And give the best in me To guard my every neighbour And protect his property. But, if according to your will, I have to give my life, Please bless, with your protecting hand, My children and my wife.
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HISTORY OF BAMPTON FIRE BRIGADE No one is certain how long a fire service has been in Bampton. The earliest record we have is in 1813 when repairs were made to a pump damaged in a fire at Lower Haddon. The damage must have been quite severe as the bill was for £2.10.0 which would have been a considerable sum in those days. The original hand-drawn engine was housed in the Church and in the event of a fire occurring a small bell was rung on the Church. This had a totally different sound to the normal church bells and was known locally as the Ting-Tang Bell. During the mid-1800s the Church Wardens were succeeded by the Vestry Committee which consisted of Clergymen, Esquires and the Land Owners of Bampton. In 1850 the Vestry Committee decided to buy a new pump but there are no further references as to whether one was purchased. In June 1876 a proposal was put forward to make repairs to the pump to be paid for out of the Poor Rate but the Vestry Committee voted against this by a vote of 4 to 2. At another Vestry Meeting in June 1880 a new building was required to house the fire pump as a new pump had been provided by a Mr F Green. This very public-spirited act was very much appreciated by the Committee. It was then agreed that the new pump could be housed in the building known as the Town Hall. With the new pump-house now in the market square local businesses offered their own horses to draw the fire pump to fires. This carried on for many years until the first motorised engine in 1929. In 1891 the Church relinquished all control of Bampton Fire Brigade and the running of it was transferred to the Trustees who ran the Brigade until the formation of the Parish Council in 1896. Parish records began in 1896 and from then until 1947 the Parish Council ran the brigade. All equipment was bought by the Council from local firms where possible. This was the same all over the country, so there was no standard equipment and clothing. During the Second World War, Bampton firemen went to places like London, Coventry and Portsmouth. On many occasions they were unable to use their equipment because all the fittings were different. In 1947 individual Parish Council brigades were brought under the control of each county and fittings were all standardised throughout the country. Fire pumps were not immediately changed but modified to the new fittings. Bampton became part of Oxfordshire County Fire Service (Station 4) in the Southern Division. In 1974 counties in England re-formed their borders, Oxfordshire taking over part of Berkshire and, therefore, some of their fire stations. The Oxfordshire Fire Service now included the 2 stations in Oxford city and was divided into three Divisions, A, B and C. Bampton now became Station B5, but shortly after, in a divisional change, resorted back to B4. In the early 1980s Oxfordshire again re-formed, now into 2 Divisions and Bampton became part of A Division as Station A 12. In 2016 the Control Room of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in Kidlington was merged with Royal Berkshire FRS and Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes FRS in a new Control Centre in Calcot near Reading. This was called the Thames Valley Fire and Rescue Service. Fire appliances are now fitted with GPS tracking systems so the control operator can send the nearest fire appliance to any incident in the three counties. This also means that when requiring assistance all calls are taken by the control centre in Calcot so exact locations are essential for correct mobilisation. 8
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Th3 Bampton Fire Brigade with trophies, 1905. The celebrated ‘Cap’ Williams is seated on the left.
Bampton Town Band. The bearded gentleman on the left is Mr. F. Taunt who was conductor of the band. He died in 1915, having been parish organist for over 50 years. 12
Bampton Fire Brigade in 1910. Back row (l-r) Os Williams, Ted (Edward J) Green, ?, ? Front row (l-r) H Eustace, Dick Rose snr, Cambria Williams, ?
Memorial service to King Edward VII. The Fire Brigade leaving Bampton parish church followed by the Forresters with their banner. 13
BAMPTON FIRE SERVICE AND THE PARISH COUNCIL As early as l8l3 parish rates were helping to pay for the upkeep of the brigade. Later, insurance companies were involved with sharing the expenses. ‘Firemarks’ or plaques can be seen on the walls of the Town Hall and other buildings, showing which were insured. In 1896 the Parish Council had taken over responsibility for the Brigade and the relationship had always been good. However, in 1923 the Council thought that neighbouring villages should contribute to the upkeep of the service, and a circular was sent out suggesting a fee of three guineas would be appropriate. Clanfield, Aston, Black Bourton and Brize Norton agreed but the other villages refused or ignored the letter. In response the Council restricted the area where the Brigade could attend to a radius of four miles around Bampton. Immediately the Brigade wrote demanding that this should be rescinded and the Officer-in-Charge made responsible for deciding where to attend. A heated discussion ensued but eventually the Council backed down and the Chief Officer was allowed to act as he saw fit. Peace was restored. During the Second World War the National Fire Service was formed as an emergency measure to cover all of England and Bampton men served with them. Then in 1947 Bampton Fire Brigade became part of Oxfordshire Fire Service and the Parish Council was no longer involved.
Firemen outside R. C. Smith’s Department Store
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BAMPTON FIRE STATION Town Hall, 1896-1971 and New Road, 1971 to present day
Horse drawn ďŹ re engine outside Town Hall, approx. 1900. Note the drying fire hoses draped from the building.
Drying fire hoses draped from the town hall. . Parish records go back to 1896 though there might have been a ďŹ re brigade in Bampton as far back as the 18th century paid for, then, by the parish rates. 15
Station personnel outside ďŹ re station entrance.
This photograph, taken in the 50s, shows the new main door to the Town Hall, made larger to take earlier motorised vehicles.
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The extension to the front of the fire station, carried out when fire engines in Oxfordshire were standardised on Bedford ‘TK’ chassis. All equipment could be now be carried on the engine and for the first time the appliance had a water tank holding 200 gallons.
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Outside the new fire station in New Road. This was built in 1971, on land purchased from OCC at the sum of £3,500. After the cramped conditions in the Town Hall it was heaven to have a tower, bays for two appliances, a drill yard at the rear, an office and social room.
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APPLIANCES
Horse-drawn manual fire pump, 1896 (or before) to 1929.
First motorised pump in Bampton, possibly a Thorney Croft, introduced in I929 at a cost to the Parish Council of ÂŁ250. A separate pump was housed alongside and connected up before going out. 20
The Austin ATV, introduced alter the Second World War. Firemen now travelled inside. In Bampton’s case the ladder was too long to ďŹ t in the fire station so a hole was made in the rear of the building to accommodate the extra six inches. (See page 38 for information on the picture)
Bedford fire appliance. 21
Bedford TK and Bampton Fire Brigade in 1971. (l-r) unknown, Mr Keates, Mr Tomlins, T Papworth, unknown, Mr Green, Mr Timms, A Beckley, Mr Green, Mr Hirons, Mr Bolton, Mr Kew, Mr Micholsons
Volvo, issued in the 1980s.
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THE BAMPTON FIREMEN WHO WON THE NATIONAL SHIELD AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE 1904 Transcribed from the Witney Gazette, Saturday July 30th 1904 As briefly announced in our last issue, the Bampton Fire Brigade attended the annual camp and competition of the National Fire Brigade Union last week, at the Crystal Palace, to take part in the drills for the National Shield. It may be of interest to state that the Union, which was originated in the year 1887, has grown to very large proportions, comprising at the present time over 500 brigades in all parts of England and Wales and has a roll of 12,000 members. The Union is divided into l6 districts and each district is entitled to send two brigades to compete for the National Shield. This is the third year Bampton has represented the South Midlands District in these contests; they were placed third two years in succession, and this year, after one of the keenest competitions on record, succeeded in winning the coveted trophy. The particulars of the drill were as follows;- National Manual Challenge Shield ( open to competition to two Brigades from each district of the Union), 4 men and coachman, wet drill, drive up to dam, unhitch horses, put on three 50 feet lengths delivery hose, 2 lengths suction, take out pole, throw and secure levers, water to strike and displace target, time taken from engine crossing line 30 foot from dam to water striking target — Bampton lst, Burslem 2nd, Brackley 3rd, Tunbridge Wells 4th. Winners time 45 seconds, 20 entries. Among the other principal events was the Green Memorial Challenge Vase (provided by subscriptions donated in memory of the late Captain Green of Oxford, one of the founders of the Union.) This trophy is a very heavy and beautifully chased silver vase, and was won by Bampton, Margate being second, and East and West Mosley third. As soon as the success of their Brigade became known in the town, the inhabitants began to decorate their houses. Flags were soon flying in every direction and it was at once resolved to give the firemen a hearty reception. Unfortunately the men could not return home until the last train on Thursday, but even this was turned to account by all the inhabitants, for they decided to illuminate, so that if they could not get to the station to congratulate their successful townsmen, they could show their welcome in another way. The principal illuminations were at the following places;- J F Staples- Brown Esq, JP, ‘George and Dragon’, Town Hall, Post Office, ‘New Inn’, ‘Talbot Hotel’, ’Jubilee Inn’, Mr Taunt’s, Messrs Robinson, Hodges, Wallis, Bryant, Green etc. Probably never before since the railway station was built, was there ever such a crowd on that two miles of road, which on ordinary occasions seems so dull and dreary. All kinds of conveyances were requisitioned, from a brake to a donkey cart, and had it been daylight at the time, the scene would have been compared somewhat with the road between London and Epsom on Derby Day. As it was, the sight was very pretty, for on every trap was an illumination. The Forester’s Band under their talented leader Mr Taunt was, of course present, and as the train steamed into the station, struck up ‘See the conquering hero comes’. Soon the stalwart form of the Captain and his men were seen alighting, their faces beaming with the satisfaction that belongs peculiarly to the man who has done his duty and knows it. Great was the rush to get at the heroes of the hour, and hearty were the hand-shakes and the cheers which came from hundreds of tongues as the party made their way from train to the brake which Mr Norman had kindly sent for them. On arriving at Windmill Hill the horses were taken from the brake containing the Firemen and their friends, ropes were attached, and enthusiastic townsmen proceeded to draw the vehicle to the Town Hall, where there were calls for Captain Williams. That gentleman in a neat speech said he had to 23
thank all for the magnificent reception they had given the Fire Brigade. This was the third time they had competed for the National Shield, and at last they had succeeded. Their neighbours often said that Bampton was a worn out old town, and much behind the time, but he thought the Fire Brigade had shown that when Bamptonians made up their mind to do a thing, and stood shoulder to shoulder, they would take a lot of beating yet. The brake containing the Firemen was then dragged around the town to the strains of the band, and amid the shouts of the people. On Friday the coveted trophy was on view at the Town Hall, and crowds of people flocked into the town from all the neighbourhood around to have a look at it, and also at the men who won it. Telegrams of congratulation poured in from all parts of the country, and if ever Bampton had a proud time it was on Friday. It will be interesting to our readers to know that the following prizes are now held by the Bampton Brigade — The National Shield (just won), The Green Memorial Bowl (given in memory of the late Supt Green of Oxford), The South Midland Shield, Duchess of Marlborough’s Cup, Miss Somer’s Trophy (held by fireman O Williams for one man drill), cups given by Members of Parliament in the South Midland District and the local Challenge Cup, given by Dr Oates, which they now held for the second time. The National Shield has been won by the following Brigades in the years named: Bedford 1826, Bournemouth 1898, Lydd 1899, Bournemouth 1901, Tunbridge 1902, Lydd 1903.
Bampton winning the national challenge shield at Crystal Palace, 1904
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The Bampton Fire Brigade team at Crystal Palace in 1904
Memories from the Over 60 Club collected by Lloyd Hughes Owens.
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Bampton Fire Brigade winning team from the early 1900’s Back row (l-r) unknown, unknown, H Eustace, O Williams, T A Constable, E J Green Front row (l-r) H. Fox, C Williams, D Rose, Mr Clack
Bampton Fire Brigade’s trophies. 26
Bampton’s winning team that won the National Trophy in Ramsgate in the 1920s
Bampton Fire Brigade competing in the 1920s 27
Bampton Fire Brigade competition team in 1939 (l-r) Jim Green, Billy Wilkins, Fred Green
The Bampton Fire Brigade team at Blenheim in June 1939 (l-r) Percy Green, John Quick, Son Townsend, Fred Green, Percy Wilkins 28
“TO THE BAMPTON FIRE BRIGADE” The following poem, relating to the competitions, was written by a Witney Gazette correspondent You’re men of merit, men of pluck You’re smart at drill, at calls you lead, You’ve buckled to your Work, and luck Has entered not a single deed. Then shout aloud through town to Weald. For good old Bampton’s won the Shield. You’ve entered competitions keen, ‘Gainst men of mettle and renown, You have done well and ever been The pride and glory of your town. Then shout aloud through town to Weald, For good old Bampton’s won the Shield. ‘Gainst England all you fairly fought, The crack Brigades all England round By your grand efforts brought to nought, And you’ve come back with laurels crowned. Then shout aloud from town to Weald, For good old Bampton’s won the Shield. Today you stand on higher ground, You’ve faced your country proud and strong, You’ve wrested from all those around The trophy for which firemen long. Then shout aloud from town to Weald, For good old Bampton’s won the Shield. Hail to the Captain and his men, Lieutenant Rose and Fireman Fox, To O Williams, Green and then, To Constable upon the box. Hurrah, hurrah, through town to Weald, For good old Bampton’s won the Shield. 29
Bampton Fire Brigade winning team from the early 1900’s (l-r) Top Row: J Green, W Wilkins Middle Row: E J Green, D Rose (snr), A Townsend, F Green, G Townsend, C Williams Bottom Row: R Green, D Rose (jnr)
Certificate for first place from the National Fire Brigade Competition 1921 awarded to Bampton Fire Brigade
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Certificate for first place from the National Fire Brigade Competition 1905 awarded to Bampton Fire Brigade
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Certificate for first place from the National Fire Brigade Competition 1912 awarded to Bampton Fire Brigade
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Personnel Officers in Charge – Late 1800s to present day
1860 – 1919
Cam Williams
1919 -
Ted Green
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Jim Green
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Billy Wilkins
- 1960
Sonny Townsend
1960 – 1977
Arthur Beckley BEM
1977 Ramon Green
1977 – 1996
Tom Papworth
1996 – 2000
Brian Kew
2001 – 2003
Phil Atwood, acting OIC
2003 Toby Perry
Acting OIC since Toby Perry – Mark Carrington and Ed Maloney
= unknown date
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Captain Cam Williams is the officer at the back, in the middle of this photograph. He was a fireman for almost 50 years, serving as captain for 45 years, a remarkable achievement. His job was to be in sole charge of the engine and make sure it was fully serviceable at all times. He would also select officers and men and submit their names to the Parish Council for approval. Drills were carried out four times a year, under his supervision and observed by the Parish council, and it was the Captain’s duty to check that householders had the appropriate insurance before starting to put out a fire. If there was no insurance then the householder had to agree to pay a fee... no record has been found of anyone refusing to pay! It was Captain Williams who first asked if the Bampton Brigade could enter competitions. He retired in 1919 and was appointed Honorary Chief Officer by the Parish Council, which is why he still appears on some photographs. When he died in 1931 his funeral was attended by numerous firemen from all over the country, as a mark of respect both to him and to Bampton Fire Brigade.
This photo is thought to show the firemen waiting for his funeral cortège to arrive outside the town hall in 1931. 35
Sub-Officer Beckley received his British Empire Medal for long and devoted service.
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In this 1980 photo - Back row: John Shuker, John Jackson, Tom Papworth, Jim Smith, Alan Jordan. Front row: Steve Pearce, Pete Nicholson, Brian Kew, Dennis Jaques, Frank Godwin.
Garry Pitts, Darren Lloyd, Mark Carrington, Andy Savage, Mark Lloyd, Dougie Irvin, Toby Perry (Remembrance Day 2007) 37
Johnny Shuker, Steve Henderson, Kerry Clarke, Mark Laister, XXX Andy Lloyd, Darren Lloyd, Toby Perry, Dougie Irvin, Gary Pitts
Gary Pitts, Craig Swieg, Dougie Irvin, Toby Perry, Mark Laister Luke Fowler, Kerry Clarke, Andy Lloyd 38
Incidents (‘shouts’) Attended by Bampton Fire Brigade Very little information is recorded in parish records, we have to look to the local press for details. In 1987 an Oxfordshire fireman was killed whilst attending a fire. S/O John Wixey of Charlbury was fighting a fire in a workshop when a cylinder exploded. John began his career in Bampton in 1961 and moved to Charlbury when he got married. He remains the only Oxfordshire fireman to be killed fighting a fire and let’s hope it remains so.
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Station Officer John Wixey’s funeral in 1987
Details and photographs of incidents attended by Bampton Fire Brigade are mostly taken from local press accounts.
Attending a rick fire in the 1920s 40
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Firemen Son Townsend and Cyril Weeks outside the Elephant & Castle pub in October 1958 after the fire.
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Fire at Witney Blanket Company, 22nd March 1968.
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18th April 1969
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3rd February 1972
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December 7th 1972
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From the Wantage Gazette, 24th January 1980.
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Community Links National Fire Prevention Youth Quiz In 1986 Bampton FS entered a team of girl guides, trained by S/O Tom Papworth, in the National Fire Prevention Youth Quiz. They won the Oxfordshire County Final. In the next round, the Southern Area Semi-final they finished a very creditable 4th. The team was Alison Gambril, Cheryl Connaughton, Natasha Papworth and Helen Jaques.
BFB first responded to the BBC Children in Need appeal in the 1980s, by hijacking motorists in the market square and asking them for donations. Most people responded positively and generously gave their loose change. An average of ÂŁ3000 per year has been raised. A team of firefighters take part in the annual Shirt Race, pushing a model fire engine around the course and entertaining the crowd with their antics. The firefighters lay a wreath annually on Remembrance Day.
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In 2007 BFB was very active in helping with the aftermath of the floods. Not only did they check on vulnerable residents but they helped to fill and carry sand-bags for them.
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In 2006 life saving defibrillators were fitted on all fire appliances. Bampton was one of the first on-call Fire Stations (retained firefighters) to be trained in their use, along with Chipping Norton and Thame. These devices mean that firefighters who are often first on the scene of an accident will be able to restart the hearts of casualties and, therefore, save lives until paramedics arrive. This is called a Co-responder project. Automatic External Defibrillators are lightweight, battery operated, portable devices that are easy to use. Sticky pads with sensors are attached to the chest of the person who is in cardiac arrest. The electrodes send information about the person’s heart rhythm to an internal computer, analyses the heart rhythm to find out whether an electric shock is needed. If a shock is needed the defibrillator uses voice-prompt to tell you when to give the shock and the electrodes deliver it. Research has shown that early CPR and use of the defibrillator are the key to improving someone’s chance of survival. 54
Bampton Fire Brigade taking part in the annual Bampton Shirt Race
CALLING OUT THE FIRE BRIGADE Before radio and electricity, when a fire was discovered, someone would run to the fire station and ring the fire bell. This was at the top of the building, with a bell-rope hanging down to street level. This bell would summon the firemen. Local businesses would supply the horses to pull the pump, and were collected from whichever business had one available. In 1929, with horses generally being used less and less, the Parish Council bought a new motorised pump at a cost of approximately £250. With radio and electricity the bell was replaced on the Fire Station by a siren and all firemen had an electric bell in their homes. The 999 emergency telephone number meant a much quicker response to fires. The siren was replaced in the 1980s by personal alerters, which were worn by each fireman during the day and placed in a battery charger at night. Modern technology has improved the alerters to the smaller size they are today. 55
Call Signs Before radios were fitted in fire appliances the officer-in-charge would run to the nearest available phone to pass details back to the station or headquarters. (Of course, in even earlier days fires were so local that details of the ‘shout’ were updated on return to the station). When radios became available Bampton’s call signs were as follows: HF 92 (HF being Oxfordshire’s call sign) B40 (Bravo four Zero), Bampton was Station B4 B50 (Bravo five zero). In 1974 Bampton was Station B5 B40 (Bravo four zero). Bampton reverted to Station B4 Al2L (Alpha one two Lima). Bampton was Station A12 in the 1980s A12V (Alpha one two Victor) JX12PI (Juliet Xray one two Papa India)
The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue shield
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The regulations in the 19th century
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The regulations in the early 20th Century.
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Schedule of Fire Brigade call out charges in 1929.
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Poster for the original Bampton Community Archive exhibition in 2006.
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BAMPTON COMMUNITY ARCHIVE PRESENTS
FIRE! A pictorial history of Bampton’s Fire Brigade Assembled and annotated by Tom Papworth
MAY 1st - JUNE 29th 2017
IN THE VESEY ROOM OF THE BAMPTON LIBRARY Monday - Saturday 11.00am - 1.00pm
2.30pm - 4.30pm
Sunday 2.30pm - 4.30pm ADMISSION FREE
Poster for the 2017 exhibition.
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A Bampton Archive Publication www.bamptonarchive.org
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